WonderKitteh
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2017
- Messages
- 12
Hello.
I have 2 redfoot tortoises around 4-6 months old according to the vet. 5 days ago we noticed one of the tortoises Redfield has swollen eyes on both side of her eyes and she couldn't open them unless I soak her first.
I then had her quarantined in a separate enclosure and the next day brought her to the exotic pets vet. She said it may be an early onset of RI as there is no nasal discharge, bubbles around the nostrils or gasping for air. She recommended supportive treatment: warm and humid environment. Got her on chloramphenicol twice daily and multivitamin warm soak daily
Day 5 today: her eyes are less swollen. She could open them. She seems to have irritation in the eyes as she would wipe her eyes with her 'arms' both in the garden and her indoor enclosure. Active in the garden (i have made a temporary enclosure while the permanent outdoor enclosure are being made). She is out there for an hour with plenty of shade, twice daily if weather permits with close supervision.
Parameters:
Temperature: Day - 88F, Night 86F with average humidity of 85% min 75% max 90% or more (i find that having multiple small saucers in the enclosure will raise the humidity and keep the substrate dry without having to use plastic covering) CHE used at night with thermostat to keep a constant 86F. I have also bought digital probe thermometer and hygrometer for a more accurate reading (while keeping my aquarium thermometer in the same place to check the accuracy). Substrate change and all the saucers, plastic quarantine tub sterilised every other day.
This is my set up (for the main indoor enclosure - not her plastic quarantine tub) with a few improvements since http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/158861/
I am here because I am worried about her food intake. She'd not eat for a day and eat only a tiny portion of hibiscus leaf and nothing else for the next day. Third day - tiny portion of food again. I tried the carrot pumpkin baby food soak in the evenings. The mornings - multivitamin soak. I do understand that during recuperation, tortoises do not eat much. Also she may have drank the multivitamin and the babyfood soak, not to mention a bit of weeds while outside.
Can she go on with just the soaks as the main food intake? What is the warning signals to bring her back to the vet - so far there are no other symptoms of RI. And she is improving - in terms of symptoms and overall wellbeing. Just loss of appetite. I'd also appreciate it if you could suggest a recipe for her. She loves hibiscus and grape leaves the best before this. She tolerates a tiny amount of those baby food when I hand feed her with plastic spoon.
Thank you so much.
I have 2 redfoot tortoises around 4-6 months old according to the vet. 5 days ago we noticed one of the tortoises Redfield has swollen eyes on both side of her eyes and she couldn't open them unless I soak her first.
I then had her quarantined in a separate enclosure and the next day brought her to the exotic pets vet. She said it may be an early onset of RI as there is no nasal discharge, bubbles around the nostrils or gasping for air. She recommended supportive treatment: warm and humid environment. Got her on chloramphenicol twice daily and multivitamin warm soak daily
Day 5 today: her eyes are less swollen. She could open them. She seems to have irritation in the eyes as she would wipe her eyes with her 'arms' both in the garden and her indoor enclosure. Active in the garden (i have made a temporary enclosure while the permanent outdoor enclosure are being made). She is out there for an hour with plenty of shade, twice daily if weather permits with close supervision.
Parameters:
Temperature: Day - 88F, Night 86F with average humidity of 85% min 75% max 90% or more (i find that having multiple small saucers in the enclosure will raise the humidity and keep the substrate dry without having to use plastic covering) CHE used at night with thermostat to keep a constant 86F. I have also bought digital probe thermometer and hygrometer for a more accurate reading (while keeping my aquarium thermometer in the same place to check the accuracy). Substrate change and all the saucers, plastic quarantine tub sterilised every other day.
This is my set up (for the main indoor enclosure - not her plastic quarantine tub) with a few improvements since http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/158861/
I am here because I am worried about her food intake. She'd not eat for a day and eat only a tiny portion of hibiscus leaf and nothing else for the next day. Third day - tiny portion of food again. I tried the carrot pumpkin baby food soak in the evenings. The mornings - multivitamin soak. I do understand that during recuperation, tortoises do not eat much. Also she may have drank the multivitamin and the babyfood soak, not to mention a bit of weeds while outside.
Can she go on with just the soaks as the main food intake? What is the warning signals to bring her back to the vet - so far there are no other symptoms of RI. And she is improving - in terms of symptoms and overall wellbeing. Just loss of appetite. I'd also appreciate it if you could suggest a recipe for her. She loves hibiscus and grape leaves the best before this. She tolerates a tiny amount of those baby food when I hand feed her with plastic spoon.
Thank you so much.
very relieved.
