J_Alba1980
Member
Walter is a 3 month old Sulcata. I've had him about a month. He weighs 60 grams. Day temps 100 basking, 80 ambient, both on thermostat, humidity between 76 and 83%. Night temps at 83-86 on a thermostat. Humidity 85-90%. Diet is fresh grass clippings daily, tortoise pellets (softened with hot water), pansies, geranium, dandelion and the occasional piece of lettuce.
Last week I had family in town from across the country, and Walter was living in a friends room while we built his new enclosure. I watched his temps, but didn't see if he was eating well. Last Wednesday my family left (today is Wed so 7 days ago) and I noticed he had a lack of appetite, but was still eating. I figured he was bored, so I got him new grass and weeds. 3 days ago I noticed he was trying very hard to eat, but he couldn't open his mouth very wide and wouldn't grab onto the food. He wants to eat REALLY bad. He would rub his face with his front leg after trying to open his mouth. I started grinding up grass with some carrot baby food and trying to syringe feed him.. he said no thanks, and trying to make him open his mouth is incredibly difficult. Yesterday it progressed to a large lump on the corner of his jaw where the top and bottom meet. I read alot from this forum, and rubbed it gently with a q-tip, and alot of his skin came off the bottom jaw and a chunk came out off the corner, leaving a hole. Today, we went to the Vet. I was given Baytril 0.025mls IM every 3 days, and colloidal silver to bathe him and for his water dish to replace water. Prognosis is poor per the Vet.
I suppose I am looking for other people who have had this issue, any input about it, happy endings, tips on anything I can do to help him heal.
Thanks, and I hope to hear some personal experiences to give me hope!
Last week I had family in town from across the country, and Walter was living in a friends room while we built his new enclosure. I watched his temps, but didn't see if he was eating well. Last Wednesday my family left (today is Wed so 7 days ago) and I noticed he had a lack of appetite, but was still eating. I figured he was bored, so I got him new grass and weeds. 3 days ago I noticed he was trying very hard to eat, but he couldn't open his mouth very wide and wouldn't grab onto the food. He wants to eat REALLY bad. He would rub his face with his front leg after trying to open his mouth. I started grinding up grass with some carrot baby food and trying to syringe feed him.. he said no thanks, and trying to make him open his mouth is incredibly difficult. Yesterday it progressed to a large lump on the corner of his jaw where the top and bottom meet. I read alot from this forum, and rubbed it gently with a q-tip, and alot of his skin came off the bottom jaw and a chunk came out off the corner, leaving a hole. Today, we went to the Vet. I was given Baytril 0.025mls IM every 3 days, and colloidal silver to bathe him and for his water dish to replace water. Prognosis is poor per the Vet.
I suppose I am looking for other people who have had this issue, any input about it, happy endings, tips on anything I can do to help him heal.
Thanks, and I hope to hear some personal experiences to give me hope!