Ernie.

[bethxyz]

after speaking with another member of the forum, one idea was that maybe I"m shocking this tortoise (and the last one for that matter) since it appears that they were started dry and I have a humid set-up, it is a big difference. I added some mulch (zoomed) to part of the floor of the enclosure so he has an area that is dryer to the touch. Should I drop the humidity a bit? At least until I can get some antibiotics? (assuming they are needed) I get it up to 80 or better a few times a day, but it drops to the mid-60's over night and even during the day it is not constantly at 80. Thanks!

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

I'm not sure you can 'shock' them with good care. Too hot temperatures, maybe, but not moderate to high humidity (if kept warm enough). I am not sure though. @Tom or @Yvonne G would be who I would ask for clarity here.

 

[Pearly]

So happy to know you've got a new pet. I just hate it that both your babies came from this same source where they for some reason didn't have a very good start. You have got your skills and experience in caring for sick baby and hopefully your proactive care will turn things around for this one. Wishing you best of luck and please stick around, keep us posted.

 

[Lyn W]

Sorry if I've missed this bit on previous posts but what bulbs are you using and do you have night heat?
I have a leopard and I expect you already know this but a good tip I was told was that
Too cold + humidity = sick tort
Correct warm temps + humidity = healthy tort
I do hope he is OK.

 

[Kasia]

sorry to read that his not improving but I hope he will bounce back.
Was the nose bubble You saw one time thing or it is constant ? When holding him try to make him push his limbs into the shell especially the front ones. Tortoise will make a hiss sound and expel air. If You see any bubbles then it's probably a symptom of RI if not maybe what You saw was just soaking effect. You can soak Your baby twice a day (15-20 mins in lurk warm water) and keep him warm. You can give him treats like cucumber or watermelon (just to make him eat something). Before visiting Vet that is probably all You can do.
If he poops take a sample with You to the Vets.
Hugs for Erni

 

[bethxyz]

Sorry if I've missed this bit on previous posts but what bulbs are you using and do you have night heat?
I have a leopard and I expect you already know this but a good tip I was told was that
Too cold + humidity = sick tort
Correct warm temps + humidity = healthy tort
I do hope he is OK.

He has a ceramic bulb and a MVB.
the ceramic heater stays on 24 / 7 basically. There have been a few times where it was switched off if the ambient temps went higher than 95.

 

[bethxyz]

sorry to read that his not improving but I hope he will bounce back.
Was the nose bubble You saw one time thing or it is constant ? When holding him try to make him push his limbs into the shell especially the front ones. Tortoise will make a hiss sound and expel air. If You see any bubbles then it's probably a symptom of RI if not maybe what You saw was just soaking effect. You can soak Your baby twice a day (15-20 mins in lurk warm water) and keep him warm. You can give him treats like cucumber or watermelon (just to make him eat something). Before visiting Vet that is probably all You can do.
If he poops take a sample with You to the Vets.
Hugs for Erni

The nose bubble was first thing this AM (so he had not just soaked) it was clear. I only saw it the once, but he was making some weezing noises, which of course at first I was thought, "oh that's so cute" but then quickly realized it was not great news. I'm going to try the front limb experiment thanks for the tip!

Great news though, he did poop in his soak today... so that's happy news

Cucumber sounds good... and I actually have some on hand! I'll do that now.

 

[bethxyz]

So happy to know you've got a new pet. I just hate it that both your babies came from this same source where they for some reason didn't have a very good start. You have got your skills and experience in caring for sick baby and hopefully your proactive care will turn things around for this one. Wishing you best of luck and please stick around, keep us posted.

upping my sick tortoise skills is certainly a nice positive spin on this You're awesome!

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

He has a ceramic bulb and a MVB.
the ceramic heater stays on 24 / 7 basically. There have been a few times where it was switched off if the ambient temps went higher than 95.

So is 95F your low? That seems too high to me... I'd be curious what those who've raised many leaped hatchlings think though.

 

[Kasia]

The nose bubble was first thing this AM (so he had not just soaked) it was clear. I only saw it the once, but he was making some weezing noises, which of course at first I was thought, "oh that's so cute" but then quickly realized it was not great news. I'm going to try the front limb experiment thanks for the tip!

Great news though, he did poop in his soak today... so that's happy news

Cucumber sounds good... and I actually have some on hand! I'll do that now.

Keep up the good work

 

[Kasia]

So is 95F your low? That seems too high to me... I'd be curious what those who've raised many leaped hatchlings think though.

I raised one and set about 28 deg Celsius as ambient (round 90F) for sick tort - I understand that You live in a warm climate bethxyz

 

[bethxyz]

I raised one and set about 28 deg Celsius as ambient (round 90F) for sick tort - I understand that You live in a warm climate bethxyz

it fluctuates a bit, typically closer to 90... Seems like when I spray it down (several times a / day) it goes down to about 86 degrees, but quickly heats back up. but I was saying I only shut off the ceramic heater when the ambient temp went up to 95 (twice maybe?). He also has a rather sizable hid that is typically several degrees cooler. Not sure if that "counts" or not since he'd be in very low light while in there.

But if that toooo hot, lowering it is easily done.
Thanks!

 

[bethxyz]

I raised one and set about 28 deg Celsius as ambient (round 90F) for sick tort - I understand that You live in a warm climate bethxyz

warm in the summer I"m in Pennsylvania, very cold in the winter.

 

[shellfreak]

Curious question. Do you have a UVB light on him? If so, is it coiled or tube?

 

[bethxyz]

Curious question. Do you have a UVB light on him? If so, is it coiled or tube?

No UVB. The like is a Mercury Vapor Bulb. On from 7 A to 7 P each day.

 

[Lyn W]

No UVB. The like is a Mercury Vapor Bulb. On from 7 A to 7 P each day.

I think mercury vapour bulbs give heat light and uva/b in one bulb so unless your bulb is very old he should be getting uvb rays from that. There seems to be some discrepancy as to how long the uvb output is good for though; 3 - 6 months I've read here.
Coiled and long thin loop cfl type bulbs are risky as they can cause eye damage but I use mvbs as they are the easiest for me.
Sounds like a vet visit is needed unfortunately. Hope he gets well soon.

 

[Kasia]

No UVB. The like is a Mercury Vapor Bulb. On from 7 A to 7 P each day.

Did You visited the Vets? How is my second favourite Ernie feeling?? Did he eat something???

 

[bethxyz]

Did You visited the Vets? How is my second favourite Ernie feeling?? Did he eat something???

He is eating And was nice and alert today... one eye is much worse than the other.
I called the vet, emailed him some photos of his eyes and info... he asked that do a stool sample first (it was delivered this AM) and bring him in tomorrow so we should know more then.

Stool sample appeared to have a long worm in it. (about an inch)

I feel like banging my head on the wall!

 

[Kasia]

He is eating And was nice and alert today... one eye is much worse than the other.
I called the vet, emailed him some photos of his eyes and info... he asked that do a stool sample first (it was delivered this AM) and bring him in tomorrow so we should know more then.

Stool sample appeared to have a long worm in it. (about an inch)

I feel like banging my head on the wall!

Yeyyyy Ernie It's good that his eating. Eyes and all the rest could be caused by worms and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the Lil' One will blossom after deworming Your doing all the best for him.
For the swollen eye area You could try melissa or camille tee (herbs). Brew a glass of strong tee, get it lurk warm and put it on the swollen area on a tissue or a piece of bandage couple times a day they have an antybacterial/soothing effect. In Poland we have eyedrops from Herba Euphrasiae (don't know english word for it) they are antyinfflematory, antybacterial and soothing. I used them for my russian tort when he had an eye infection. He was not pleased with them but they worked.

All the best for You two

 

[bethxyz]

Thanks @Kasia
I appreciate the kind words!

I just kissed him goodnight (it's okay to kiss a tortoise on the back, right?!)
Perhaps he will surprise us all with his fighting spirit!