Check-ups. Are they necessary?

[BowDownBowser]

I'm just wondering what everyone thinks about regular check ups for your tort. I've read a lot of posts about people who take their tort to the vet every so often for a check up. Does everyone think this is necessary? If so how often do you think it should be done? One thing that comes to my mind is the area I'm in yes there are reptile vets, but none specialize in tortoise's. They just have a general knowledge of reptiles so it seems like they may not even know the specifics to look at. What do you all think?

 

[wellington]

No, I don't think it is needed. My leopard turned three in March and hasn't seen a vet yet. He won't either, unless something comes up.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Justin:

In my opinion, its a good idea to have at least one 'well baby' appointment to get parameters established. The tortoise's weight and measurements, etc. Just to get a chart started on the tortoise.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Bob is 16 and only gone to the vet once 4 yrs ago to get micro-chipped. My exotics Vet is excellent, but she charges a minimum of $68 per exam. Hopefully, I take good enough care of them that none of my animals have to go to the Vet...fingers crossed... I did take Queenie tho, that's how I found out her spine was crooked...

 

[BowDownBowser]

Bob is 16 and only gone to the vet once 4 yrs ago to get micro-chipped. My exotics Vet is excellent, but she charges a minimum of $68 per exam. Hopefully, I take good enough care of them that none of my animals have to go to the Vet...fingers crossed... I did take Queenie tho, that's how I found out her spine was crooked...

I had no idea you could even micro chip a tortoise. Never even crossed my mind but now it seems like a great idea. Is there a minimum size he had to be to get the microchip?

 

[Yvonne G]

In the U.K. it is mandatory. And they have some pretty small tortoises over there. Trouble is, when a lost tortoise is found here in the States, no one ever thinks to look for a micro chip.

 

[Elohi]

I'll probably get mine microchipped.


Elohi(Earth)

 

[katrvt]

We microchip tons of reptiles, all varieties. Thankfully, our shelter system is good about checking every 'stray' for a chip, regardless of species.

 

[katrvt]

And, I usually recommend my clients bring torts in once a year-ish for Wellness checks. We have caught illnesses in these that the owner didn't see at all. Major things like calcium deficiencies and vitamin a deficiency.

 

[Neal]

I do take my tortoises in annually for fecal checks. That's the primary reason though as I've never really had any pressing health issues.

 

[macky9326]

I take Toby twice a year just because it's only about a 10minute drive.

I find the twice a year easy to keep a check on him incase I miss anything, but I've only had Mr Toby Tubs about six months so I got him one in December and one today, I'm sure the longer I have him the less frequently he will go.

 

[KevinGG]

I have found vet visits to not be necessary. I have had bad experiences the two times I have gone as I lost two turtles after vet visits. medication really put a tole on their bodies. They were different reptile vets so not just a bad vet. Both were actually held in high regard

 

[dmmj]

I seen nothing wrong with wellness visits. an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

No. Unless by doing so we can educate our vets about well turtles, because many never see them when they're healthy.

 

[Tom]

I don't do it. Its an unnecessary stress and sadly, most vets have no idea what to do with a turtle or tortoise. It seems so many of them want to give every chelonian that comes through the door a "vitamin injection". They don't need vitamin injections and often these do harm. Nothing wrong with taking a fecal sample in for an exam once or twice a year, but leave the tortoise at home. Most vets will want to do an exam before they will take fecal samples. As a one time thing to establish yourself I see no problem with that, but don't let them take your tortoise into the "back" without you and politely refuse any injections of any kind if you have an otherwise healthy tortoise.

 

[ascott]

If it is not broke, why fix it? Stress is a major issue for torts...so would not subject a tort to the stress just because...

 

[muu]

I took my boy when he was 4 months old, and I'm glad you asked as I've been wondering this myself. My specialist vet is 2 hours away and the stress of the journey last time really upset him. All in all it was a round trip of 5 hours. So I really don't want to put him through it again unless it is absolutely needed. I do worry about a fecal test. He lives on his own so can anyone help me with whether he would be susceptible to worms. His worm count came back a year ago as normal.

 

[ascott]

I took my boy when he was 4 months old, and I'm glad you asked as I've been wondering this myself. My specialist vet is 2 hours away and the stress of the journey last time really upset him. All in all it was a round trip of 5 hours. So I really don't want to put him through it again unless it is absolutely needed. I do worry about a fecal test. He lives on his own so can anyone help me with whether he would be susceptible to worms. His worm count came back a year ago as normal.

You can simply take a fresh sample of the poo to the vet for checking and not need to take the actual tort....