Box Turtle Paralysis?!?

[jlyoncc1]

I had a party on Saturday and was showing someone my turtles and showed them my male box. He was sitting under a hosta looking content. I went out the next morning to feed them and he was in the same exact position. I picked him up and he didn't pull in like he usually does (he's shy). I moved him under a log hide because we were expecting a storm. Gave him a worm and he chomped it right down. I had to put the worm right in front of him. He won't walk. Moves his head about, gave him two super worms today which he ate fine. But he still has not moved an inch. When I touch his limbs, he only shows a very, very, slight reaction. His weight looks good, eyes seem clear, no nasal discharge. He has not been dropped or anything like that. Anyone have any ideas? I am scared!!

 

[purpod]

Wow, Dee, I've never heard of that kind of behaviour {with no apparent injuries} before; do you think that it could be something he ate causing a loss in feeling/sensations to his limbs?

Poor girl ~ I'd say a vet visit is in order ~ and know that the prayers will be flowing your direction!!

Bestest wishes for a mobile tortie again ~
Purpod

 

[Itort]

What kind of plants have volunteered in his enclosure? Is there any nightshade in in there? It can cause paralysis in mammals but herps (native) I don't know? This plant bears small black berries.

 

[jlyoncc1]

I have planted all of the plants in the enclosure from my yard which is chemical free. They include hosta, and pink cone flower. They don't bother with the plants. Foods recently include butternut squash, dandy greens, strawberries, carrots, blueberries, melon. What do you think about the possibility of a spider bite? Like I said, he seems alert just immobile. All of the girls seem perfectly fine. I have moved him into his own enclosure in the meantime under the shelter of a giant hosta. Also, he just pooped and it was a yellow mustard color and a bit slimy/gooey.

 

[Yvonne G]

If you don't want to take him to the vet, then I would put him into a shallow dish of water and just leave him there 24/7. Also, de-worm him. We use Panacur for the parasites you can see, and Flagyl for the no-see-ems. Slimey goopy feces is SOMETIMES the effect of flagelates. The fact that he is eating is good. It will keep his inards active. It will also help you to give him the de-worming medication.

Yvonne

 

[egyptiandan]

Hi Dee,
I had this happen with a female Gulf Coast box turtle 2 years ago. It happened in the fall and she got a little frost bite. Her front legs were swollen and she couldn't move them at all. There was nothing else wrong with her. I did a 14 day course of Baytril and kept her up all winter. Her legs slowly went down over the winter and she hibernated this last winter just fine. She's doing fine now and uses her front leggs just fine.
The only thing I can think she got was some mosquito borne disease, as I have plenty in the yard.

Danny

 

[Crazy1]

Dee I am afraid I can't help with any advice but wanted to send my well wishes your way.

 

[jlyoncc1]

Danny, his legs do look puffy. I made a vet appointment for tomorrow. We have tons of mosquitoes here as well. He was soaking in his water dish for almost 2 days, which I thought was odd but it was hot so I didn't think much about it. That was last week. I put him in the shade under a hosta so he felt like he was safe. Should I put him in a dish of water under the plant?

 

[egyptiandan]

I brought my female inside and had her up all winter. I kept her warm while I was giving her the Baytril, than went back to normal temperatures after.
I would bring him inside and set him up in a hospital set-up. That way you can keep an eye on him and no one can bother him.

Danny

 

[Yvonne G]

Danny, his legs do look puffy. I made a vet appointment for tomorrow. We have tons of mosquitoes here as well. He was soaking in his water dish for almost 2 days, which I thought was odd but it was hot so I didn't think much about it. That was last week. I put him in the shade under a hosta so he felt like he was safe. Should I put him in a dish of water under the plant?

Because box turtles frequently sit in their water 24/7 when they don't feel good, that is why I advised that you do that too. They know what's good for them. It might help to release the toxins from their systems, who knows?

Yvonne

 

[egyptiandan]

Sorry Yvonne
I can't recommend anyone leaving a box turtle in a dish of water while sick. The 2 times I have done that, they both drown in less than an inch of water. So I will recommend plenty of supervised soaks, but no leaving them in 24/7.

Danny

 

[jlyoncc1]

Thanks for your advice and well wishes everyone! My appointment is tomorrow so hopefully she can figure out what is wrong. This vet I found (relatively close) is supposed to have over 200 reptiles herself and 30 years of experience and came highly recommended. She also owns torts herself which is a plus. So I will keep you updated.

 

[Isa]

Hello Dee

Good luck with your little one. I cant wait to hear what the vet said.

 

[Jacqui]

Not ever having this particular problem, but do recall reading about it before in a box I thought. Seems on this one it was caused by kidney/renal troubles. So worrisome when what we believe is a healthy animal has major unexplained troubles. Sounds like you are getting lucky with what is hopefully in person as good of a vet as on paper. I too, am looking forward to more on this. Fingers crossed.

 

[jlyoncc1]

Not much to share yet. Went to the vet and she had the same thought as me. That he was bit/stung by something. She has a friend/tort specialist in Arizona, Dr. Funk, that she would like to consult today and get his opinion before prescribing anything. She was encouraged that he was still eating. She told me to continue feedings and soakings and will get back to me tonight or tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[Crazy1]

Thanks for the update Dee. Sending hugs and well wishes your way.

 

[jlyoncc1]

Went back to the vet tonight. She spoke with Dr. Funk in Arizona and are still a bit unsure about what is causing poor Red to be this way but apparently Dr. Funk has seen this type of reaction in reptiles that have been stung by scorpions. Beings that we don't have those in NJ, they are thinking perhaps a bite by a black widow spider or some type of infection (forget what she said, think it started with a "c"). Anyway, they started him on a series of injections of Fortaz to be injected every 72 hours. It is an antibiotic that seems to be very effective in torts and does not cause as much soreness as Baytril. So, we will see what happens in the next few days. Good thing is that he is continuing to eat and drink. I will keep you posted!

 

[Laura]

You say 'he' and he was in with females.. could he have over done it? Strained himself?

 

[jlyoncc1]

He has been pretty calm lately. So, I don't see how it could be that.

 

[Jacqui]

Before you started treatment, had you saw signs of it getting better, worse, or still at the same level of swelling and such?