We're starting to see so many, many "please help my tortoise" type posts on the forum.
Its time for a reminder to all of you. All of us here on the forum are very glad to give you the benefit of our experience with turtles and tortoises, but we are not veterinarians (with a couple of exceptions), and if your tortoise is sick, take it to the vet!
Yes, there are some simple problems that our experiences can help you with, but with a really sick tortoise, you shouldn't be wasting time asking us to hurry up and help you. You should be going to the vet.
The fact that there isn't a reptile/tortoise vet withing traveling distance to your home should be factored in to your decision to buy or rescue a turtle or tortoise. If you don't have a vet, what are you planning to do when (not if, but WHEN) the tortoise gets sick?
There is a wealth of experience here on the forum, and we can help with quite a few of the problems, but when it comes right down to it, we don't actually see your tortoise with our own eyes, and we might be way off base trying to guess what you're really telling us about the problem. Its much better to take a sick tortoise to a vet than to try to explain it to us in writing.
So, make the appointment first, then tell us about it. If we solve your problem, you can always cancel the appointment.
Its time for a reminder to all of you. All of us here on the forum are very glad to give you the benefit of our experience with turtles and tortoises, but we are not veterinarians (with a couple of exceptions), and if your tortoise is sick, take it to the vet!
Yes, there are some simple problems that our experiences can help you with, but with a really sick tortoise, you shouldn't be wasting time asking us to hurry up and help you. You should be going to the vet.
The fact that there isn't a reptile/tortoise vet withing traveling distance to your home should be factored in to your decision to buy or rescue a turtle or tortoise. If you don't have a vet, what are you planning to do when (not if, but WHEN) the tortoise gets sick?
There is a wealth of experience here on the forum, and we can help with quite a few of the problems, but when it comes right down to it, we don't actually see your tortoise with our own eyes, and we might be way off base trying to guess what you're really telling us about the problem. Its much better to take a sick tortoise to a vet than to try to explain it to us in writing.
So, make the appointment first, then tell us about it. If we solve your problem, you can always cancel the appointment.
