Blockage - Please Help

[coldskyline]

His whole life herman's always been really careful to keep his nose above the water when he drinks. Today he sucked in so much water through it that no air was coming through. He finally blew some out and I did a leg pump to get the rest out but I don't think that was normal... He's back in the bath now though and drinking like he usually does...

 

[Yvonne G]

Tortoises hold their breath for a very long time. The other end of the nares (nose tubes) ends up in the roof of a tortoise's mouth, they don't go down the throat like in a mammal. So its quite common for a tortoise to suck in water through their nose as well as their mouth. They don't breathe while they are drinking because their mouth, where the breathing tubes are, is full of water.

 

[DeanS]

They usually submerge their nostrils as well as their mouth to drink....the nostrils help create a vacuum. Pus they can stay submerged for up to twenty minutes without cause for alarm.

 

[coldskyline]

Alright- I'm definitely not trying to argue either and it's very possible your right- it's just that in all the years I've had both my torts they've never ever done that. If it's apparently normal that makes me feel a lot better then...

---

They usually submerge their nostrils as well as their mouth to drink....the nostrils help create a vacuum. Pus they can stay submerged for up to twenty minutes without cause for alarm.

Thanks for the info... I might just be paranoid because my other tort almost drowned to death a few years ago and had to be hospitalized in an oxygen tank etc.

Sorry if I freaked out I just got so worried because after it seemed like he couldn't breathe!

 

[Jacqui]

*hugs* It's okay to do some freaking. Your currently in a very high stress situation with him.

---

P.S. After I posted that to you, I sat here thinking. I know it's normal for tortoises to dunk their heads to drink and for what seems sometimes like a scary long length of time. What I got to thinking is, you know I don't actually ever remember my two teenager sulcata ever dunking their heads under to drink.

 

[coldskyline]

Phew... Thanks Jacqui. Sorry to anyone who thought I was trying to argue- I really wasn't! I appreciate the info though and feel much better now. He seems to be enjoying the bath but keeps dozing- I'm staying out here with him of course but do you think I should let him sleep in the bath? Or take him out to let him rest? He seems to be comfortable now so I'd like to let him enjoy it...

 

[Yvonne G]

Sick turtles and tortoises seem to find comfort by sleeping in the water.

 

[coldskyline]

Yeah he seems happy, I'm letting him be. He's back to drinking a lot now. Seems much better than he did earlier. Thanks everyone!

 

[dmmj]

As long as he does not do it while it is cold (temperature wise) I would just let him enjoy it.

 

[coldskyline]

No it's a warm bath and it's fairly hot outside

 

[dmmj]

I meant the outside temps, but that is good to know.

 

[coldskyline]

Also, a bit unrelated- when the vet brought him in for the xray and gave him the barium they got some in one of Herman's eyes and it's a little white/crusty around it. He doesn't seem too bothered and i've tried to lightly wipe it for him but is there anything you guys can suggest? Or do you think I should just leave it?

---

Ah yeah his beth is in the sun so he should be okay

 

[froghaven5]

Also, a bit unrelated- when the vet brought him in for the xray and gave him the barium they got some in one of Herman's eyes and it's a little white/crusty around it. He doesn't seem too bothered and i've tried to lightly wipe it for him but is there anything you guys can suggest? Or do you think I should just leave it?

---

Ah yeah his beth is in the sun so he should be okay

---

You can try wash it with saline (contact lens saline is great) also you could even use a terramycin ointment for the eye may give it some relief (can get from vet or at a feed store)

 

[coldskyline]

Thank you!!!

 

[Torty Mom]

We all have had many of those freak out moments! Try to relax, I know it's hard. We are all here for you and pulling for Herman. Hang in there!!!! xoxoxoxxo

 

[coldskyline]

Thanks Mary Anne! When he gets out of the bath I'm going to try the Mazuri

I just put the saline in his eye and it worked great... Thank you!

 

[Torty Mom]

Fingers crossed I hope he loves it!!! You can make it nice a smooshy.

 

[coldskyline]

I will! I'm going to drizzle some mineral oil over it as well

 

[coldskyline]

So I was able to force feed Herman about 3-4 of the Mazuri balls in his lettuce. He swallowed them fine but when he was done he went straight for his house and I couldn't stop him... He seemed like he'd had enough for the day Do you think it's bad he went to bed so early? I mean since he's been sick he's been going to bed between 330-7 but he also usually wakes up way earlier than he did today. Sigh...

 

[Torty Mom]

I'm sorry, I wish I had the right answers for you. It's bloody hot here, I am sure it is there as well, maybe he will come out for a stroll when it cools off later today. It is sooooooo good that he ate that much! That will really help him alot. Baby steps... he has been more active the last 2 days, maybe he is just tired. Hang in there!!!! (((HUGS))))))