curious guy
New Member
Can we use orchid potting mix as substrate?
As long as there is no added fertilisers or sand.Can we use orchid potting mix as substrate?
I lt has charcoal pieces in it. So won't that be a problem?As long as there is no added fertilisers or sand.
I hadn't thought of charcoal as a possible additive! You want pure bark. No additives. You cannot know what the charcoal actually is so it is best avoidedI lt has charcoal pieces in it. So won't that be a problem?
Thanks. I would look for them[emoji2]I hadn't thought of charcoal as a possible additive! You want pure bark. No additives. You cannot know what the charcoal actually is so it is best avoided
Can someone here help or throw some light on the condition of my tortoise. It's still the same.My tort is still sneezing and producing nose bubbles. The bubbles are still clear, no runny nose. He sneezes in the morning after soaking. I soak him in hot water for 5 minutes as the water becomes cold soon.
Right after soaking he sneezes continuously for 30 seconds and sneezes are accompanied by nose bubbles occasionally.
Once he produced a bubble when I picked him up while he was sleeping.
I was freaked out so I'm keeping him separately in a box and have increased the temperature ranging from 109°F to 97°F. Today was third day and he doesn't seem to be better.
He eats and roams around and like a normal tortoise sleeps as well. Is it respiratory infection? Because I haven't seen any mucous yet!? And what more can I do now? Does he need medications yet? Please help![emoji53]
If, at it appears, he has a Respiratory Infection it is likely that he will need a course of antibiotics from a specialist vet.Can someone here help or throw some light on the condition of my tortoise. It's still the same.
I don't want him to die. Please help.
Thanks for replying. [emoji17]If, at it appears, he has a Respiratory Infection it is likely that he will need a course of antibiotics from a specialist vet.
It isn't something we can advise on to buy over the counter as getting the right quantity of the right antibiotic needs training that we don't have.
All we can advise on is getting the care right. I know that finding a vet is well near impossible where you are, so this answer won't seem helpful, but it is the best we can do.
Hi! Just an update. I have kept Nebula with increased temps for 5 days now. Could not take him to pets as there are none. Nothing seemed to be improving until yesterday.
He sneezed more after soaking him into water since the bubbles started forming. He used to sneeze continuously for multiple times in a day.
Yesterday sneezed with few bubbles after soaking and nothing for rest of the day. And today he sneezed just twice after soaking, that too without bubbles.
I'm not saying that my tortoise has been cured but I'm just happy that the symptoms have been reduced. It is a good sign right though?
I'll continue keeping him with increased temps until the sneezing stops.
I have been careful about that. I keep on checking temps once in a while. I hope he recovers completely.[emoji873]️Just be careful not to get the temps too hot in the enclosure and soak water so you don't cook your little guy.
Can someone here help or throw some light on the condition of my tortoise. It's still the same.
I don't want him to die. Please help.
That was very informative. Thank you so much.I am of the opinion that shipping these animals can be extremely stressful , and can have serious health consequences , especially on a less than healthy animal ………. similar to the effects of capture myopathy , which often takes weeks to months to kill an animal …….
you might like to read this guys opinion on this condition ……. I believe there is some information on various aspects of tortoise and turtle health care in this 2013 paper ……..
NASAL DISCHARGE IN CHELONIANS
Thomas H Boyer, DVM, Dipl ABVP, Reptile and Amphibian Practice
Pet Hospital of Penasquitos, 9888–F Carmel Mountain Road, SD, CA 92129 USA
https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/members.arav.org/resource/resmgr/Files/Proceedings_2013/02.pdf
Dr. Thomas H. Boyer received his DVM from Colorado State University in 1989. In 1991, he co-founded ARAV with Michelle Frahm, DVM, and started the Bulletin of the ARAV, which later became the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, and served as editor in chief of both for 18 years. Dr. Boyer has written two books on reptile medicine through the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the most recent, Essentials of Reptiles: A Guide for Practitioners, published in 1999. Dr. Boyer also served as a clinical instructor in exotic animal medicine at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for over a year in 1995. In 1996 Dr. Boyer moved to San Diego, and in 1999 he purchased the Pet Hospital of Peñasquitos. His hospital became AAHA certified in 2007. Dr. Boyer maintains a large cactus and succulent collection with his wife, Lilia, and two daughters, Ariel and Tara. He loves to fish.