Liljae9263
Active Member
So! Today was Franklin’s second vet visit! I feel I was more prepared for this one (I had poop samples, the worm Franklin had pooped out, and confidence to demand what my baby needed). I also got Franklin his very own travel crate since this is his 3rd vet visit in 4 months I figured I should spring for one instead of the cardboard box I was using. I think he liked it 
) it gave him lots of room to roam and on the drive to and from he burrowed under the towel I laid on the bottom. Idk he just seemed less stressed in there. Plus it was easier to check on him in the crate vs the cardboard box!
So when I get there I immediately demand X-rays and a poop sample. I get taken to a room almost immediately. The nurse lady comes in. I explain we r not doing better and I have brought samples. That on sun Franklin pooped out a v big worm and is still struggling to pee. I made it clear that he’s struggling to pee not poop and that his wee wee comes out and he strains. I tried really hard to reexplain what I had noticed about him bc last time I felt I was misheard on some things. And then again asked for X-rays and checking the samples I brought in.
On sight the nurse said the worm was a round worm. She took away the poop sample, did her thing. A while later she comes back to get Franklin for his X-rays. I didn’t get to see him take them (I was kinda excited to see how they xray a tortoise. Plus I didn’t like leaving my boy with strangers( ) but then she brings him back and pointed out he did go pee in the crate and it was clear and had no blood. (The vet later on points this out as a good sign that he prob doesn’t have any issues there)
Not too long after this the vet comes in. He tells me the X-rays look good, no discernible issues there, just a little bit of gas. So glad he doesn’t need surgery!
(I added the X-rays. I didn’t realize there was a glare on the screen when I took the pics so if u notice the marking over my reflection no u didn’t) He said he figures the straining to potty is prob just bc there’s so many worms, that in fact the poop sample showed ALOT of worms. 
. I tell him I tried to get Franklin to eat the worm medicine he gave me 2 weeks ago but he either wouldn’t eat it all or would spill it on his dish. The vet said he will up the dose a little so if he doesn’t eat it all it’s still enough to help and if he does eat it all it’s not enough to hurt him. They also gave me a full big bottle this time so I’ll have extra in case I need it or need to stretch the treatment out longer. He said I just need to find something Franklin likes to eat and to make sure he eats a good bit and gets his meds in. They gave me panacur for the worms. I’m supposed to give it to him once a week for four weeks. I’ll prob start the treatment this coming weekend as I need to do a deep clean on his tank to make sure he won’t be on any contaminated substrate, etc. the nurse said it’s best to wash everything down and make sure to keep changing it out if he goes potty in there. 
Other than that, the vet said he looks good. He actually said he felt a little light and could still gain some more weight. He said he might have lost some from the worms (even tho he’s been eating every day)
I talked to the nurse a good deal about how to get Franklin to take the meds. I’m thinking I will mix them in his pellets (I mush them up as he doesn’t like eating them whole so it might be a good substance to soak up the meds!) I also plan to get more yummy foods so he can feel rewarded after taking the yucky meds. Starting it on sat too will help me ensure he eats the meds as the nurse said give it to him at a time of day he eats the most (the morning) and then make sure he eats it. I leave v early, even b4 Franklin gets up, and wouldn’t be able to check this during the weekdays, so on the weekend this would work! I just hope baby boy will be ok waiting 2-3 more days for it!(
Also would like to report, everyone in the vets office was v impressed by the worm Franklin got out. I think they were students? Who kept coming in to look at it. The lady at the front desk also told me everyone thought it was cool haha. Franklin became the cool patient today!
(I added a pic of the worm if anyone wants to admire haha)
The price actually wasnt terrible either for X-rays and poop sample test and meds. $235! I was expecting like $500 or something.
How do yall think I did this time at the vet? I feel like it went better, I was heard better, got my questions answered better, and was more prepared! If u have any tips for a better vet visit plz lmk! Also while still wary, I do trust this vet a good deal. He seems to know enough about tortoises to make good medical decisions. And genuinely cares for their wellbeing’s! That being said, I have learned my lesson and will go to the vet with samples to make sure I dont take home meds I DONT NEED! Ugh!
(I didn’t soak him today bc of time crunch for the vet and I didn’t wanna stress him too badly but I for sure will keep up his hour long soaks! They really help and he seems to really enjoy them! )
I’m hoping Franklin gets better soon! I’m so tired of being stressed and having nightmares every night! I want baby boy better and happy and healthy!
Again is there anything yall would like to add ? I’m always looking forward to y’all’s feedback!
(I also added some cute Franklin pics bc he’s cute <3)
) it gave him lots of room to roam and on the drive to and from he burrowed under the towel I laid on the bottom. Idk he just seemed less stressed in there. Plus it was easier to check on him in the crate vs the cardboard box!So when I get there I immediately demand X-rays and a poop sample. I get taken to a room almost immediately. The nurse lady comes in. I explain we r not doing better and I have brought samples. That on sun Franklin pooped out a v big worm and is still struggling to pee. I made it clear that he’s struggling to pee not poop and that his wee wee comes out and he strains. I tried really hard to reexplain what I had noticed about him bc last time I felt I was misheard on some things. And then again asked for X-rays and checking the samples I brought in.
On sight the nurse said the worm was a round worm. She took away the poop sample, did her thing. A while later she comes back to get Franklin for his X-rays. I didn’t get to see him take them (I was kinda excited to see how they xray a tortoise. Plus I didn’t like leaving my boy with strangers
( ) but then she brings him back and pointed out he did go pee in the crate and it was clear and had no blood. (The vet later on points this out as a good sign that he prob doesn’t have any issues there)Not too long after this the vet comes in. He tells me the X-rays look good, no discernible issues there, just a little bit of gas. So glad he doesn’t need surgery!
(I added the X-rays. I didn’t realize there was a glare on the screen when I took the pics so if u notice the marking over my reflection no u didn’t) He said he figures the straining to potty is prob just bc there’s so many worms, that in fact the poop sample showed ALOT of worms. . I tell him I tried to get Franklin to eat the worm medicine he gave me 2 weeks ago but he either wouldn’t eat it all or would spill it on his dish. The vet said he will up the dose a little so if he doesn’t eat it all it’s still enough to help and if he does eat it all it’s not enough to hurt him. They also gave me a full big bottle this time so I’ll have extra in case I need it or need to stretch the treatment out longer. He said I just need to find something Franklin likes to eat and to make sure he eats a good bit and gets his meds in. They gave me panacur for the worms. I’m supposed to give it to him once a week for four weeks. I’ll prob start the treatment this coming weekend as I need to do a deep clean on his tank to make sure he won’t be on any contaminated substrate, etc. the nurse said it’s best to wash everything down and make sure to keep changing it out if he goes potty in there. Other than that, the vet said he looks good. He actually said he felt a little light and could still gain some more weight. He said he might have lost some from the worms (even tho he’s been eating every day)
I talked to the nurse a good deal about how to get Franklin to take the meds. I’m thinking I will mix them in his pellets (I mush them up as he doesn’t like eating them whole so it might be a good substance to soak up the meds!) I also plan to get more yummy foods so he can feel rewarded after taking the yucky meds. Starting it on sat too will help me ensure he eats the meds as the nurse said give it to him at a time of day he eats the most (the morning) and then make sure he eats it. I leave v early, even b4 Franklin gets up, and wouldn’t be able to check this during the weekdays, so on the weekend this would work! I just hope baby boy will be ok waiting 2-3 more days for it!
(Also would like to report, everyone in the vets office was v impressed by the worm Franklin got out. I think they were students? Who kept coming in to look at it. The lady at the front desk also told me everyone thought it was cool haha. Franklin became the cool patient today!
(I added a pic of the worm if anyone wants to admire haha)The price actually wasnt terrible either for X-rays and poop sample test and meds. $235! I was expecting like $500 or something.
How do yall think I did this time at the vet? I feel like it went better, I was heard better, got my questions answered better, and was more prepared! If u have any tips for a better vet visit plz lmk! Also while still wary, I do trust this vet a good deal. He seems to know enough about tortoises to make good medical decisions. And genuinely cares for their wellbeing’s! That being said, I have learned my lesson and will go to the vet with samples to make sure I dont take home meds I DONT NEED! Ugh!
(I didn’t soak him today bc of time crunch for the vet and I didn’t wanna stress him too badly but I for sure will keep up his hour long soaks! They really help and he seems to really enjoy them! )
I’m hoping Franklin gets better soon! I’m so tired of being stressed and having nightmares every night! I want baby boy better and happy and healthy!
Again is there anything yall would like to add ? I’m always looking forward to y’all’s feedback!
(I also added some cute Franklin pics bc he’s cute <3)
