Freaking out think Russian is getting ill

[kezilulu]

Hi please can anyone help, I'm new to Tortoises but have had Sheldon since Christmas today and so I've got to know his personality but he seems a little off his food this evening and keeps opening his mouth/bobbing his head a bit like he's swallowing, but he hasn't anything in his mouth. I've been watching him for the last 20 mins and I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple of snot bubbles on the left side and he keeps wiping his face. He's made a couple of little squeaks possibly sneezes?!
I'm really panicking about what might be wrong?!
He's under his basking light now dosing and seems to have settled a little, he's due at the Vets on Wednesday for a full initial check up but do you think I should see if I can get him in tomorrow?!
Please help before I give myself a panic attack! lol
xXx

 

[Yvonne G]

It does sort of sound like his nasal passages might be plugged up. In the meantime, before your scheduled vet appt. you can flush out the nose with saline solution. The Pharmacy sells it in little squeeze bottles in the contact lens department. Just give a couple good, strong squirts in each nostril. Don't worry about flooding his lungs, because the nasal passages go into the roof of his mouth, not down his throat. You might also make it a bit warmer in the habitat. Try for an overall 80F degrees. Making them warmer sometimes helps get rid of a respiratory infection (if that's what's going on).

 

[TortsNTurtles]

I would call the veterinarian and see if you can get in sooner .Search hospital tank on the forum . What are your temps? You may need to increase them depending on what they are currently .Has your tortoise been introduced to any new turtle or tortoise ?

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Well scratch my post help came while I was typing. Keep us posted.

 

[kezilulu]

O.K will do thank you! I've been sat next to his habitat for about two hours watching his every move/jumping at every sound :-S lol
Will keep in touch if anything else happens/any other symptoms and thank you again
xXx

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I would call the veterinarian and see if you can get in sooner .Search hospital tank on the forum . What are your temps? You may need to increase them depending on what they are currently .Has your tortoise been introduced to any new turtle or tortoise ?

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Well scratch my post help came while I was typing. Keep us posted.

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Thank you for your reply too! Going to keep the heat lamp on tonight to keep it warmer in there for him too. No he hasn't been introduced to any new Torts or Turtles. Going to set up a little hospital tank tomorrow and completely clean/disinfect his normal habitat.
xXx

 

[kezilulu]

Having monitored him it seems to be when he's eating/just eaten. He makes a little breathing sound and a little bubble pops out, does this sound like how a Respiratory Infection is? It could be anything to do with the fact that I wash the leaves when I give them to him so they're a bit damp could it?
Thank you
K xXx

 

[TortsNTurtles]

When the bubbles pop out is he trying to smell the food?

 

[kezilulu]

No he's eating it and swallowing. Then a bubble will pop out and he'll wipe his face with his front arm. From what I can tell (as they're only small and pop quickly) they're clear bubbles not green/sticky etc
xXx

 

[Yvonne G]

The other end of the nostrils are in the roof of the tortoise's mouth. So if he's eating something a little juicy, you may see bubbles or moisture come out the nose. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[kezilulu]

Oh god I hope that's all it is! Like I said having watched him for several hours he seems fine until I feed him and then it starts it lasts a little while after he's eaten and then calms down again!
I'll keep you posted once I've been to the vets on Weds afternoon (the tortoise specialist couldn't see us sooner) or I'll be back in touch if anything gets worse.
Thank you both again!
xXx

 

[TortsNTurtles]

Keep us posted. Fingers crossed for good news and a healthy report Don' t forget your stool sample!

 

[kezilulu]

Quick update, Pre-washed Sheldon's leaves last night so they were dry when I fed him today and no bubbles! He's still at the vets tomorrow for the original "new pet" check up so I'll let you know what they say but fingers crossed it was my silly mistake and that Sheldon's fighting fit lol
xXx

 

[TortsNTurtles]

I am glad to hear the good news. I look forward to tomorrows update.

 

[kezilulu]

Hello! Back from the vets and it's good news she's happy with his weight/shell/general look of him yay we've sent off a stool sample and will get the results in 5/7 days if they're clear then we're all good until next year!
There's been no bubbles for 2 days now since I started putting dry leaves down so I'm convinced it was my fault rather than him being I'll, I'm still monitoring the situation though, just in case!
He was right back in his food when we got back too, the car journey didn't upset/confuse my little man at all lol
Thanks again ladies!
xXx

 

[TortsNTurtles]

Yeah great news! Sounds like Yvonne hit the nail on the head so to say. I am glad it worked out and is happy at home being fussed over as always. Thanks for the update.