Glucosamine and Green Lipped Mussel extract?

[EppsDynasty]

It is with great sadness I post this ... Our beloved Sulcata Teddy has real issues with his rear left leg. I will post a video later today to show what it is we see and what is happening. It looks like his leg (knee specifically) is slipping out of it's joint, and we can only imagine painful. My question is ... Can we supplement him with Glucosamine and Green Lipped Mussel extract for joint support and some inflammation relief? Which in turn may help relieve some pain. I will get a video today when I feed, just kinda wanted to get this question out there first.

 

[EppsDynasty]

PLEASE say whatever is on your mind, whatever ya think. We LOVE this guy and want to limit ANY suffering or discomfort.

 

[Yvonne G]

I seem to remember Dudley walking like that too. I'm not sure, but it may be normal for sulcatas????? @Markw84 @Tom @NorCal tortoise guy

 

[Tom]

I seem to remember Dudley walking like that too. I'm not sure, but it may be normal for sulcatas????? @Markw84 @Tom @NorCal tortoise guy

Its not something I've ever noticed. Compared to domestics, wild animals seldom have problems like this. He seems to get around just fine. I think my course of action would be to watch it and see if it improves or worsens over time.

I have no knowledge of those supplements. I can't imagine they would harm a tortoise, but I wouldn't know how to dose them either.

 

[wellington]

I wonder if you could rig a brace or a wrap?
Reminds me of luxated patella I have seen in dogs.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

About experimental treatments, the Wolfe kinetic technique came to my mind. I have seen this YouTube video about giving physical therapy to a Galapagos tortoise for pain management:

It has been used in many different exotic species and might be worth looking into.

 

[EppsDynasty]

I want to Thank You for the responses. Our plan is to keep an eye on his walking and kinda go from there. I have thought of some type of physical therapy that may help, so thank you so much for that. He seems not to have pain (or at least enough to change his walking behavior) right now but we will keep a hawks eye on it. The Glucosamine and Green Lipped Mussel was really a pro active thought to help with inflammation and a mild pain relief (if he is experiencing it). Our real fear is ... how would a 3 legged tort function? Those of you that know me, know I am always thinking 1,2 and even 5 years down the road. This will be something I come back to the experts on regularly ... My tort care confidence is still in it's infancy.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I think @Len B used to have a box turtle with a missing foot, but not the whole leg. A quick search on the forum finds more 3 legged tortoises.

 

[EppsDynasty]

I think @Len B used to have a box turtle with a missing foot, but not the whole leg. A quick search on the forum finds more 3 legged tortoises.

This will definitely be something we look into ....
my fear is that his leg (joint) cannot last forever doing what it is. I am really trying to be proactive.

 

[Fluffy]

This will definitely be something we look into ....
my fear is that his leg (joint) cannot last forever doing what it is. I am really trying to be proactive.

Have you been to the Vet to get an x-ray?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

This will definitely be something we look into ....
my fear is that his leg (joint) cannot last forever doing what it is. I am really trying to be proactive.

Yeah, and my concern with 3 legged tortoises is the strain that the remaining legs will face. So definitely something to look into.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Have you been to the Vet to get an x-ray?

The x-ray is something we are actually working on at the moment. I am currently trying to find a vet that will be on board with reality. I refuse to go to a vet that is going to charge out the wazoo and just give us their opinion that is not based on facts. The closest Reptile vet to us is 4+ hours each way, way to hard on Teddy to drive that far.

 

[EppsDynasty]

1 more thing .... An x-ray would only be able to be done with Teddy being sedated, he will not just stick his leg out for them to image. Another thing is "What will the x-ray show" only bone not Ligaments, Tendons and soft tissue. The other thing is what will it accomplish? will it be fixable or does he just have to deal with it?