Hermann's Tortoise Surgery Recovery

[Zazu]

Hi everyone!

Quick update to let you know that Zazu finally pooped. It might not look like it on the picture but the two poops were pretty large. It happened during her afternoon soak after looking slightly hungrier during the day. The first poop was enveloped by a slimy coat but this could have been caused by the psyllium husk that she ate for a few meals. The second poop looked more like their usual ones. Food seemed well processed and there were no traces of blood or anything else that could link it to the surgery. For the record, this is 21 days after the surgery and about 12 days since she started eating normally.

It's now also been 48 hours since her last yellowish urate discharge so hopefully this means that she's recovering from being dehydrated and we'll see her urate back to normal soon.

Thank you very much for all your advise, I'll continue to provide updates as Zazu progresses.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sounds like a good progress! Hooray to the poop! And, of course, keep us updated!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It could be that he starts pooping normally from now on, fingers crossed

 

[zolasmum]

Hi everyone!

Quick update to let you know that Zazu finally pooped. It might not look like it on the picture but the two poops were pretty large. It happened during her afternoon soak after looking slightly hungrier during the day. The first poop was enveloped by a slimy coat but this could have been caused by the psyllium husk that she ate for a few meals. The second poop looked more like their usual ones. Food seemed well processed and there were no traces of blood or anything else that could link it to the surgery. For the record, this is 21 days after the surgery and about 12 days since she started eating normally.

It's now also been 48 hours since her last yellowish urate discharge so hopefully this means that she's recovering from being dehydrated and we'll see her urate back to normal soon.

Thank you very much for all your advise, I'll continue to provide updates as Zazu progresses.

Congratulations, Zazu ! ! ! You are a very brave and clever girl.
Best wishes from Zola x

 

[_The_Beast_]

Amazing!!!! Thank you for the update and I'm glad Zazu was able to pass this healing milestone!

 

[Zazu]

Hello everyone,

It's been a long time since I last posted. After Zazu finally managed to poop, she pooped again 48 hours later so we were pretty relieved. She continued to soak twice a day for 30 min. in warm water and we started introducing healthier food into her diet. Her thirst seems to have calmed down a little bit but she keeps drinking plenty of water during her soaks, specially the morning one.

Last weekend, we noticed her struggle slightly more than usual to pass her urine (i.e., she'd wag her tail slightly more than usual). This trend continued for 3-4 days. As a result, we got concerned that she might have been constipated and trying to pass poop, so we offered her some pumpkin (which she loved) and aloe vera (which she didn't pay any attention to). She pooped again yesterday (5 days later) and once again today, both times with a very normal consistency. She also doesn't seem to be struggling with urinating anymore at this point but we'll keep monitoring.

We've also dropped the amount of Vetark Nutrobal (vitamins and calcium) and started offering it to her only once a week like we do with her siblings. She shouldn't need it anymore and are very conscious that we can overdo it, even though the vet reassured us it should be okay.

She's had 4 bowel movements since the surgery and the frequency seems to be increasing which is all a good sign.

Zazu also started leaving her 'borrow' by herself in the mornings and walking around the enclosure until we'd turn on her basking and UVB light so it's looking like she's almost back to normal.

She last passed yellow urates on Sunday (5 days ago). On that occasion, she passed a slightly large amount although nothing alarming. She's had very small urate discharges since and they've all been the usual white colour so we're also hoping it was never a fatty liver issue and she was 'simply' dehydrated.

On Saturday it's going to be one month since the surgery and we are pretty pleased with all the progress Zazu has made!

 

[_The_Beast_]

Thank you so much for this update! I'm so glad to hear the Zazu is doing so much better. You've taken really great care of her.

 

[Zazu]

Thank you @_The_Beast_ , I appreciate your kind words!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It sound like the constipation issue is starting to get solved after getting the first poop out!