Blockage - Please Help

[coldskyline]

Have you tried aloe vera or canned pumpkin?

No yet but tomorrow when give him the mineral oil I'm going to fill the syringe with pumpkin purée too. I might try the aloe if possible but it's really difficult to get his mouth open so I might only be able to get the mineral oil. On Tuesday when the vet comes back I will have him help me though

 

[lynnedit]

You are sure doing everything you can! Great advice so far, and exceptional effort on your part.
Please keep us posted.

 

[Torty Mom]

Good, I will say a prayer or two tonight for your tortie!

 

[coldskyline]

Thank you guys so much, the advice and stories here so far has really helped me and my tort so much

 

[Torty Mom]

I sent you a pm with a link for the pictures I posted for you! We are here for ya!!

 

[Tom]

They can live for 100 years or more. Any idea what is causing the "renal failure"? I would continue the soaks (and start soaking your other one too, BTW) and the mineral oil. It will not surprise me in the least if he pulls through this and lives another 20, well hydrated years, or more.

 

[Angi]

I would add the mineral oil to his bath water. He wii probably drink some plus he will absorbe it through his clocea. Puree anything you think will get his bowels moving and add it to his bath water. Aloe, watermelon,canelope, greens don't give up. And good luck!

 

[coldskyline]

They can live for 100 years or more. Any idea what is causing the "renal failure"? I would continue the soaks (and start soaking your other one too, BTW) and the mineral oil. It will not surprise me in the least if he pulls through this and lives another 20, well hydrated years, or more.

Both of them have been well fed and hydrated for the last 20 years. The vet doesn't know exactly what is causing it but he said some sulcata's are born with bad kidney's that catch up with them later. I'm continuing the mineral oil and added some to his bath this morning. Thanks!

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I would add the mineral oil to his bath water. He wii probably drink some plus he will absorbe it through his clocea. Puree anything you think will get his bowels moving and add it to his bath water. Aloe, watermelon,canelope, greens don't give up. And good luck!

Thanks for the ideas, I added mineral oil to his bath water today. I opened his mouth and put a small piece of peach with mineral oil on it in his mouth. Yesterday he seemed fine after putting food in his mouth, but today it seemed like it took him longer to swallow it. It almost looked like it sat in his throat for a little. I'm worried it might be stuck. When I push on his front legs he seems to be breathing fine. I called the vet but he's gone till tomorrow.

Edit: by the way, I feel I should mention: he's not in distress at all or trying to catch his breath. He just sounds a little wheezy today. He might just be having respiratory problems because of the kidney failure

 

[Tony the tank]

I would have them run the test again..I have had quite a few exotic pets and quite a few misdiagnosis.... The test is only as good as the lab..and I swear from what I've seen some of these labs mess up...

Couldn't you have the vet tube feed him some food and mineral oil.....

My prayer are with you and the big guy..

 

[coldskyline]

I would have them run the test again..I have had quite a few exotic pets and quite a few misdiagnosis.... The test is only as good as the lab..and I swear from what I've seen some of these labs mess up...

Couldn't you have the vet tube feed him some food and mineral oil.....

My prayer are with you and the big guy..

Hmmm, you mean the blood test? Well, his symptoms are pretty parallel with kidney failure right now. The big question is whether or not his impaction is because of the kidney failure or the kidney failure is because of the impaction. I'm hoping it's the latter and that way when (if) he passes something it'll also help his kidneys.

The vet can't get a tube in him unless he sedates him which he doesn't want to do right now. He said if he absolutely has to he will, but at this point he's afraid Herman would react too slowly to waking up from the anesthesia. The good news is is that he has been having mineral oil and other mobility drugs and antibiotics and he's been getting a IV of fluids to keep hydrated (he's also been drinking). I'm really hoping that something passes today or tomorrow...

Thanks for the prayers

 

[RV's mom]

I only just came onto this thread ~ I'm so sorry for your torts illness and will also send along my prayers and meditations for speedy passing of poop and return to health.

teri

 

[coldskyline]

I only just came onto this thread ~ I'm so sorry for your torts illness and will also send along my prayers and meditations for speedy passing of poop and return to health.

teri

Thank you Teri, it's much appreciated

 

[Stephanie]

Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery for Herman! I'm keeping him in my prayers as well

 

[coldskyline]

Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery for Herman! I'm keeping him in my prayers as well

Thanks Stephanie! You guys have all been so great

 

[Torty Mom]

Just checking in to see how Herman is today! I hope ok! I have been thinking of you both all day!!

 

[coldskyline]

Hi Mary Anne,

So Herman seemed a little better today than he did yesterday. He came out of his home early, around 8-9AM and spent most of the day outside. He liked his bath this morning but didn't want a second one when I tried. He did seem to enjoy being hosed down with some cool water though.

He still seems very fatigued and weak though. He falls asleep off and on. When he's not sleeping he's still fairly active so I'm trying not to be too concerned yet. The main thing I was worried about today was he still seemed to have a little lump of peach stuck in his throat from yesterday. I could sorta see it when he'd extend his neck and it appeared he kept trying to either swallow or throw up. I called my vet to come over but he kept insisting that it'd be impossible for a peach to get stuck there... Maybe I'm just being ultra paranoid, but by the time he went to his house tonight he didn't seem as bothered by it (it was hard to check but it almost looked like he finally swallowed it). The vet is coming tomorrow morning at 10AM with more meds and fluids so *hopefully* he will poop soon!

---

Here are a few photos of Herman & Sammy:

Herman from the last few days:

(this was him this morning before his bath. He came out of his home and it was a little chilly so I put a warm towel from the dryer on him.

(this is an older photo from a few months ago when he was still eating

(this one is just from about 3-4 weeks ago...)

& just for fun, here's a few of my other tort Sammy:

 

[Torty Mom]

Awwwww love all those pictures!!! He is a very handsome dude. You are such a great mommy keeping him covered with a warm towel! I'll keep my finger crossed for poo tomorrow!! I hope all goes well with the vet! Don't tell him I disagreed with him! I will Look forward to your update tomorrow! I am so glad he is moving around!!!

School was good, only one student had big separation issues, but he quickly came around after the story when it was time to paint! Still had a big fat headache by 10 am though! High school kids scare me. I would take 50 little kids over 10 big kids!!

Hang in there and have a great evening! Prayers and happy thoughts still coming your way!

 

[coldskyline]

Awwwww love all those pictures!!! He is a very handsome dude. You are such a great mommy keeping him covered with a warm towel! I'll keep my finger crossed for poo tomorrow!! I hope all goes well with the vet! Don't tell him I disagreed with him! I will Look forward to your update tomorrow! I am so glad he is moving around!!!

School was good, only one student had big separation issues, but he quickly came around after the story when it was time to paint! Still had a big fat headache by 10 am though! High school kids scare me. I would take 50 little kids over 10 big kids!!

Hang in there and have a great evening! Prayers and happy thoughts still coming your way!

Thanks so much for all the great thoughts & help!!! Will definitely let you know how the visit with the vet goes or if there's any poop!

 

[Torty Mom]

We want poo!!!

 

[coldskyline]

We want poo!!!

Seriously... Never thought I'd be wishing this hard for a poop covered yard!