Just Got Back From The Vet

[rbigshow01]

Well just got back from the vet I took my to baby sulcata tortoises. While there the vet checked out my two tortoises for the softness in their bottom shell he said they looked healthy and that everything was alright he suggested we give each tort a multivitamin shot. Each shot was 50 bucks I declined because i didn't think that was the right approach to their problems. Should I have let them take the shot or should i go to another vet

 

[Yvonne G]

No way, Jose!!! You did exactly the right thing. The vitamin shot consists of vitamins a, d, e. Its supposed to stimulate the tortoise's appetite. But if your tortoise is already eating well, he doesn't need to be stimulated. Also, the Vit.a in the injection is almost always too much and it causes the skin to slough off. So, GOOD ON YOU!!! You did good.

 

[Tom]

I second what Yvonne said.

There is a sad trend with a lot of vets lately to try and nickel and dime people with stupid, unnecessary stuff. Its so sad because of the once bitten twice shy phenomenon. It makes people not want to go even when they really ought too. With the amount of animals in my care, I encounter this A LOT!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

That's a warning to me...I'd switch vets. He should have known about Vit shots for tortoises...we all do and we're not Vets!!!

 

[tortoisenerd]

Did you get a fecal sample tested for parasites for each tort? I also agree that you should switch vets. Vitamin shots can be really bad...you don't know how much is too much, especially with the Vitamin A.

 

[rbigshow01]

Unfortunately no i didn't take a sample but he also suggested that i give the torts yogurt once a week and to buy liquid vitamins for the torts

 

[Macheteslaststep]

Yogurt? I always thought that giving dairy to a non-nursing animal (ie: Tortoise, other reptile, bird, etc.) was a no-no. I know at least with birds it's because their digestive system doesn't really process it correctly. Are you giving them any sort of calcium supplement? How old are they? My Leopards had squishy plastrons until they were between 1 and 2 years old. Now they're hard as a rock

 

[rbigshow01]

Yogurt? I always thought that giving dairy to a non-nursing animal (ie: Tortoise, other reptile, bird, etc.) was a no-no. I know at least with birds it's because their digestive system doesn't really process it correctly. Are you giving them any sort of calcium supplement? How old are they? My Leopards had squishy plastrons until they were between 1 and 2 years old. Now they're hard as a rock

They are about 2 to 3 months and we do have a cuttle bone that we break into pieces and pulverize it on top of their food

 

[DeanS]

I saw these guys at the party a few weeks back...my 2 youngest were about the same age when I introduced them to opuntia. Run it through the food processor until it resembles pop rocks (remember them?) in size...then offer them about a half teaspoon...I bet they'll take to it immediately. Opuntia is the BEST source of natural calcium (and it's also loaded with fiber).

*When I get home from Palm Springs, I'll load some pics*

 

[Yvonne G]

Oh...and in case you didn't get it from the previous posts:

NO YOGURT OR DAIRY!

 

[tortoisenerd]

Yeah the yogurt thing is ridiculous. If the vet really wants them to get some probiotics, then TNT with probiotics would be a much better choice. I do recommend the fecal test, whether you take the samples to that vet or a new one (as long as they know how to do the fecal test right it shouldn't be a problem, and I double check the dose online of any meds before giving them to my tort). Liquid vitamins are also a bad idea as its easy to overdose. If you have an ill tort its fine to put some liquid bird vitamins in the soaking water though.

 

[rbigshow01]

Thanks for the heads up everybody I'll be going to doctor Lopez in Anaheim for the fecal sample test

 

[dmmj]

wow yogurt that's a new one, Switch vets, run don't walk

 

[tortoisenerd]

I have actually read a post on here before about a vet recommending yogurt...

 

[Jumpinghorse]

As I mentioned in my indroduction (newbie here) I work for Dr Mader who is a reptile specialist. Here are a few things I learned about tortoise health while working with him.

* Yes, some vets are money hungry but without proper diagnostics your tortiose will be treated with a blindfold on. Blood work is always a wise thing to do! You can use avian blood panels if your vet does in-house blood work.

* Fecals are not 100% percent necessary for checking for parasites and deworming can do more harm than good. Most tortoises are carrying parasites with no illness at all and many vets consider the parasites part of the normal flora of the gut. Tortoises do not need to be dewormed unless they are showing symptoms from an "overload". Unlike in mammals, the dewormers very much upset the sensitive flora and balance of the digestive tract. Risk vs benefits! A fecal exam is only as good as the person reading them. Is that person trained to know how much bacteria in the stool is too much?

*Not to say that vitamin shots are not necessary but unless their system is already comprimised they do not need it. A balanced diet and sunshine do wonders.

* A second opinion is never a wrong thing

 

[Becki]

That's very interesting...about the parasites. I hadn't considered that.

 

[rbigshow01]

Just weighed my two torts one is 35 g and the other is 41.3 g does that sound around right for two to three months old torts

 

[Tom]

My three babies all hatched within a week of May 15th. They all hatched at 34-35 grams and all are now over 100 grams. You can see them and their growth here:
http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding

Hope this helps.

Just know that you are not alone, and what is happening now is likely the result of their care BEFORE you got them.

 

[rbigshow01]

For those that haven't seen my outdoor enclosure here are some pics until they get bigger

 

[tortoisenerd]

Anyone else think that mesh might be too fine to let UVB through? Is the mesh fastened down or could it be torn off? Just want to make sure your babies are getting UVB and they are as safe as you think they are. I agree on having a knowledgeable vet so you know how many parasites are too many. I would not want my vet to treat my tort for any amount of parasites, just moderate-severe (not mild). For mild cases, do regular re-checks to keep an eye on the load. I do however think that a tort with no symptoms can still have pretty high numbers that require treatment. My tort had no symptoms for both coccidia and pin worms and my vet thought both were in moderate numbers and required treatment, especially since he was less than a year old and if he got an infection or something the combo would be bad. I would never just do preventative worming though (plus there are so many parasites besides worms to check for). The meds are tough on them.

Jumpinghorse-I had been told getting blood out of torts was very tricky, and thus they usually didn't do blood work unless the tort was in dire shape. Do you disagree with that statement? Would preventative blood work at a yearly exam be recommended, or just when something is suspected?

rbigshow01-In my opinion what is more important is that they steadily gain weight, not the actual numbers at this point. If in your care they aren't gaining weight (a couple grams a week is ball park), then that is something to investigate. I'd weigh and measure weekly. Seems like their care before you got them didn't have them gaining significant weight, if their ages are correct. Good luck!