Injections calcium!

[Alex and the Redfoot]

@Alex and the Redfoot what's your opinion? Should I keep ye routine? I mean To wake them up and give them exercise and food or leave them sleep and wake up when they want?

I think, you can keep the routine. If you let them sleep, I'm afraid they can enter "hibernation" mode.

If they are still sleeping at 9AM, it's rather strange: usually they get up earlier to get some morning sun. If they sleep inside, try turning on room lights on at 6-6.30AM and then basking lamps 15-20 minutes later.

 

[philipgreece]

I think, you can keep the routine. If you let them sleep, I'm afraid they can enter "hibernation" mode.

If they are still sleeping at 9AM, it's rather strange: usually they get up earlier to get some morning sun. If they sleep inside, try turning on room lights on at 6-6.30AM and then basking lamps 15-20 minutes later.

They used to wake up early but I think I give them stress by touching them all the time or because of the September! But when I leave them outside they go immediately to dig! Thank you!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

If they dig down when you put them outside, maybe it's too cold/not enough sun and they prepare to brumate (hibernate). Or you mean they go and explore?

 

[philipgreece]

If they dig down when you put them outside, maybe it's too cold/not enough sun and they prepare to brumate (hibernate). Or you mean they go and explore?

I check their shell and writes 31 Celsius! Despite that they go and dig! Maybe at night its cold outside!

 

[philipgreece]

Hello again! I write again if someone knows anything about the real problem i checked! 10 days passed and my danny still limps but not so bad as the first days! Well the problem is in the right leg and not the left! He can't stretch it and the leg stays curved! I pick him up to check if there is any discoloration or swelling and I can't see anything! But in the air he stretched his legs! Obviously I gave him pain because he started running like a crazy! Any idea? I hope not the problem stays permanently! My first thought is that the vet hitted nerve in his leg! Also I checked his shell again and to be honest I felt just a little bit his shell stronger! I try to give him more sun in morning and good food! Also I give him soaks every 3 days for 40 minutes!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sounds good. But I don't have experience with Russian tortoises, so I can't tell if it's normal...

 

[philipgreece]

I

Sounds good. But I don't have experience with Russian tortoises, so I can't tell if it's normal...

Ok I renew my status again 2 minutes ago!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello again! I write again if someone knows anything about the real problem i checked! 10 days passed and my danny still limps but not so bad as the first days! Well the problem is in the right leg and not the left! He can't stretch it and the leg stays curved! I pick him up to check if there is any discoloration or swelling and I can't see anything! But in the air he stretched his legs! Obviously I gave him pain because he started running like a crazy! Any idea? I hope not the problem stays permanently! My first thought is that the vet hitted nerve in his leg! Also I checked his shell again and to be honest I felt just a little bit his shell stronger! I try to give him more sun in morning and good food! Also I give him soaks every 3 days for 40 minutes!

It's possible that vet pulled his leg when trying to give an injection. In that case, it should heal on its own.

I wouldn't expect any notable effects from a calcium injection after 10 days. Maybe in a few months, given that sufficient sunlight/vitamin D3 is provided.

 

[philipgreece]

It's possible that vet pulled his leg when trying to give an injection. In that case, it should heal on its own.

I wouldn't expect any notable effects from a calcium injection after 10 days. Maybe in a few months, given that sufficient sunlight/vitamin D3 is provided.

Thank you! I saw it! When she did the second injection he wdain pain! He put his head inside his shell and he did his legs like he was running! My worry now is that I'm afraid to continue calcium injections! I have another 3! I think i will stop them!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you! I saw it! When she did the second injection he wdain pain! He put his head inside his shell and he did his legs like he was running! My worry now is that I'm afraid to continue calcium injections! I have another 3! I think i will stop them!

To be honest, if the vet has no experience with tortoises, he can do more harm than good (it's less about knowledge but about proper manipulations, restraining etc.).

At the moment you can add calcium two-three times a week instead of 1 time a week and see how it goes. I didn't make it to the vet to ask yet but will certainly do.

 

[philipgreece]

Just watch him. Probably the limp is from the injection and should go away in several days, but watch it closely anyhow. If it gets worse or doesn't seem to improve tell us about it. The vitamin and calcium injections can easily overload a tortoise's system, they sometimes damage internal organs. Again, keep an eye on him over the next week or two to see if he becomes lethargic or acts like he's not feeling well.

Nice warm daily soaks will help him even if he doesn't have a poor reaction to the injections. The water should only be as deep as where his two parts of his shells come together, and the water needs to be 35C/95F. Because the water is shallow it will cool off quickly, so monitor it closely and warm it up whenever it drops a few degrees.

Keep him warm and in humidity, to help also.

Don't get any more injections. Why did you go to the Vet in the first place?

Hello my friend! My danny still limps 25 days after the injections and he eats less! But his weight still is the same! I don't see any swelling or discoloration!

 

[philipgreece]

Tortoises don't need vitamin injections ever, and its a rare dire case that would need a calcium injection, and by the time it is needed, it would be too late anyway.

If your tortoises are getting a decent diet of weeds, or grocery store greens with calcium powder added occasionally, and have a UV source like the sun or an HO tube indoors, then they should not need any additional calcium. Tortoises shells are supposed to be a little flexible, they just sold not feel soft like a sponge. I think you are doing more harm than good by injecting calcium into them.

Hello Tom! My danny still limps! 25 days now! He can't stretch his right leg!

 

[COmtnLady]

I wonder if the needle hit his bone or a nerve. Can he move the leg, or is it limp or drawn into eh shell?

 

[philipgreece]

I wonder if the needle hit his bone or a nerve. Can he move the leg, or is it limp or drawn into eh shell?

He use it to touch the ground and he can walk but he doesn't stretch it and he looses his balance! Today he was basking in sun and he stretched all his feet and leg exept the leg he can't stretch! He has is curved! He eats some food but not like he used to eat! His weight is the same though! I wonder if he has some inflammation from inside!

 

[COmtnLady]

@Yvonne @zovik @ZEROPILOT @Tom

Any suggestions as to how he can help rehab the leg?

 

[philipgreece]

@Yvonne @zovik @ZEROPILOT @Tom Any suggestions as to how he can help rehab the leg?

The problem is if my vet wants to give him another injections with antibiotics I don't know if he will stand it! My mistake that I took him for calcium injections! I wonder if he can recover on his own!

 

[COmtnLady]

Don't take him back to the Vet yet. The Vet has already done something to his leg that didn't help him, wait until we can get more info from some of the members who know so much more. There could be things you can do at home instead.

Are you soaking him in warm water everyday, for a half hour or longer? The warmth from the water should help his leg to feel better, and might get him to move it better, plus, soaking is generally good to help with so much more.

 

[philipgreece]

Don't take him back to the Vet yet. The Vet has already done something to his leg that didn't help him, wait until we can get more info from some of the members who know so much more. There could be things you can do at home instead.

Are you soaking him in warm water everyday, for a half hour or longer? The warmth from the water should help his leg to feel better, and might get him to move it better, plus, soaking is generally good to help with so much more.

Yes I soak him every 3 days for 40 minutes! I see him a little bit better! The only food now he eats is cucumber and Hawkbits and leaves!

 

[COmtnLady]

How about soaking every day for a while. The warmth and the wet could do a lot to make his leg feel better.

 

[philipgreece]

How about soaking every day for a while. The warmth and the wet could do a lot to make his leg feel better.

Ok I will start everyday!