Mordy isnt doing well

[Mordy]

i just got back from the vet. i noticed a decline in mordys appetite, he used to eat more of his greens and lately he eats half, so i went to the vet clinic in Tamarac where i met a great vet, Dr. Grant. she wasnt there so Dr. Gardner assisted me. i told her what was going on, she did not seem to care and had too much testoserone in her system. she completely man handled my little hatchling, flipping him up and down and he seemed obviously stressed. she was trying to pry his mouth open to see if there was something in it but she was so rough. she noticed he was peeling and tried to pull the skin which obviously you arent supposed to do since he can get an infection. i gave her a fecal sample and she left. after 40 minutes waiting, i went to see what was going on and she hadnt even touched the sample -___- so she came back later saying she didnt find anything and said a vitamin b shot would help. i wasnt sure so i checked this site and didnt see any thread that had negative input so i accepted. she took my mordy away to give him the shot. Dr . Grant never took him away last time, what for? Im the owner and giving a shot is not a state secret. she came back later and put mordy facing away from me. i noticed he had his head ducked so i picked him up and he would not open his left eye. only about 10 minutes later she mentioned she made him bleed. thats when i got angry - she didnt think this was worthwhile information to share? i noticed his little beak had blood in it, and she wouldnt say where he was bleeding from. so now i have a tortoise with a swollen eye, a bleeding beak, and he hasnt eaten. his URI had diminished, or so i thought, but it looks like its back because i saw a bubble a little while ago. does this happen? im taking him to another clinic to get xrays. my husband is home with him and says hes walking now and we upped the temp. what else can i do?

please pray for mordy.

---

when i got him, he had a bad URI or so Dr.grant said but the fortaz she gave really got him better. he had no clicking noise, he was active and eating. his temp is basking 100 and 80 on the other cooler side. he has a wide variety and he has had interest in food but doesnt eat. now im thinking the worst thing i did was take him to Dr. Gardner.

 

[kanalomele]

I'm so sorry to hear that. What a terrible experience for you both! I wish I had more than sympathy to offer. I hope he pulls thru.

 

[JoesMum]

I am so sorry to hear this.... it's dreadful.

Make sure you give him good long soaks so that he stays hydrated (30 mins twice a day). Boosting temperatures is a good idea as well. make sure it doesn't cool down too much at night

Others far more more experienced than me will be along shortly, I'm sure, to offer advice.

 

[ascott]

I am so sick with reading your experience.....I would absolutely only return to that vet to give a what for on proper handling and etiquette .....however none of that will help your little one....

I would do the increased temps as you are....I would also offer him a warm water soak to relax him a little and to get moisture in his eyes...also if there is blood it will aid in washing that away so you can keep an eye for any new blood...

If you are able to not bother him for a few days (outside of for soaking and food offerings) and let him lick his wounds so to speak...let him do what a tortoise does best...let him regroup and carry on......set aside your desire to want to smother him with guilt driven kindness...no need yo make up for something that can't be changed, you know?


Also...I see this so much when folks bring their tort (or domestic pets) to the vet....the human feels as though they can not speak up against something the almighty vet says....well let me tell you...next time please remember that vet would be out of business if it were not for folks coming to them...always question the vet as they don't know everything and they certainly don't know your fort like you do...you are the one who has the power to say...no, you can do the shot right here...no, you don't need to do an injection I can change the diet...also...before you hand over your little buddy question the vet of their experience with tortoise....and any normal human loves to talk about something that they like and that is important to them...so if they refuse or seemed annoyed then thank them for their time and picked up your little one and leave....you don't owe a vet the right to do as they please especially if they show little regard for the comfort of their patient and its human....the vet is just some person the same as you....

I bet if you let mordy relax a bit then you will have a starting point again from with which to go forward....

 

[Mordy]

I am so sick with reading your experience.....I would absolutely only return to that vet to give a what for on proper handling and etiquette .....however none of that will help your little one....

I would do the increased temps as you are....I would also offer him a warm water soak to relax him a little and to get moisture in his eyes...also if there is blood it will aid in washing that away so you can keep an eye for any new blood...

If you are able to not bother him for a few days (outside of for soaking and food offerings) and let him lick his wounds so to speak...let him do what a tortoise does best...let him regroup and carry on......set aside your desire to want to smother him with guilt driven kindness...no need yo make up for something that can't be changed, you know?


Also...I see this so much when folks bring their tort (or domestic pets) to the vet....the human feels as though they can not speak up against something the almighty vet says....well let me tell you...next time please remember that vet would be out of business if it were not for folks coming to them...always question the vet as they don't know everything and they certainly don't know your fort like you do...you are the one who has the power to say...no, you can do the shot right here...no, you don't need to do an injection I can change the diet...also...before you hand over your little buddy question the vet of their experience with tortoise....and any normal human loves to talk about something that they like and that is important to them...so if they refuse or seemed annoyed then thank them for their time and picked up your little one and leave....you don't owe a vet the right to do as they please especially if they show little regard for the comfort of their patient and its human....the vet is just some person the same as you....

I bet if you let mordy relax a bit then you will have a starting point again from with which to go forward....

Thank you. i feel awful looking at my little guy knowing how he was before the vet. i just needed the vet to help me boost his appetite and now hes so damaged. i dont like the nasal discharge so i want an xray to check it out. it shouldnt stress him should it? my husband just did baby food soaks to him.

is there a way that the URI was never cured? and the stress that this lame excuse of a human caused flared it up? ive been reading this forum and have had basking area, cool area, humid hide, soaks as recommended by experienced owners so i dont know what to do anymore if it is the URI.

 

[Yvonne G]

I would print out what you've written here and make an appointment with the vet that you liked. Explain about your experience with this other vet and that you are very dissatisfied with her treatment of you, but especially of your little tortoise.

The best thing you can do for Mordy now is keep him warm and hydrated, and leave him alone to recover from this stressful experience.

When people have bad vet experiences they usually just suffer in silence. Veterinarians are people too. They had to learn their craft. If you let them get away with poor service, it isn't going to get better. By the same token, it doesn't help at all if you go in like gang-busters and make all kinds of accusations. You just need to express yourself in a calm and concerned manner and hope you get through to them.

 

[Mordy]

my preferred vet is on vacation for 2 weeks do you think i should go to the vet to get an xray or is that too stressful? if i go, i just want the xray to check if he has fluids but i dont want to inject him with anything for a while. but right now im unsure if even going to the vet is a good idea. i made the appointment at 330 but im not sure if i should go. the thing that concerns me is the eye and the nasal discharge. please advice

I would print out what you've written here and make an appointment with the vet that you liked. Explain about your experience with this other vet and that you are very dissatisfied with her treatment of you, but especially of your little tortoise.

The best thing you can do for Mordy now is keep him warm and hydrated, and leave him alone to recover from this stressful experience.

When people have bad vet experiences they usually just suffer in silence. Veterinarians are people too. They had to learn their craft. If you let them get away with poor service, it isn't going to get better. By the same token, it doesn't help at all if you go in like gang-busters and make all kinds of accusations. You just need to express yourself in a calm and concerned manner and hope you get through to them.

 

[bingbongbibidybobbo]

I dont want to panic you but a similar thing happend to Mort (my 18 month old Russian). His initial RI wasnt treated properly and now he has pneumonia. Is there no other vet you could try and visit who specialises in torts? Keep Mordy plenty warm and plenty of soaks. I wish you all the best. Its not nice when you take these lil ones to the vets and then the people you are counting on make things worse.

 

[Tom]

Sorry to hear this. Just know that you are not alone. This sort of thing happens all to frequently and the saddest thing to me is that it can make us look at all vets this way. There are some really good ones out there who are talented and very helpful. I'm so sorry you ran in to a bad one.

I would leave him at home and not go to another vet today. Let him have some peace and quiet. Keep an eye out for respiratory symptoms for a few days and then make a decision.

 

[ascott]

Elevated heat....leisurely warm water soaks....quiet time at his pad.....no more auto rides....no more weird people looking poking tugging flipping him for awhile....and I have to share with you that once a tort has Uri meds can be offered to arrest the discharge...wet lungs and heal up the overall ailing feeling....but they will always be prone to flare ups during their lifetime....calm and routine are key......

 

[lisalove]

I agree-let your little one be for a while to get over his crappy vet experience. A nice warm humid cozy hide and warm soaks are perfect.
I like to put my soak bowl under the basking light. As long as the bowl is big enough so he can move to the side if he gets too warm, that's great. It keeps the water warm too.

For you and your crappy vet experience, a nice dinner and a cocktail!!!!

 

[Mordy]

thank you everyone! there is a vet who has 30 years experience with reptiles, so thats where ill be taking him soon. i called yesterday and they said they can teach me to force feed him, but my little guy is difficult so i know this will be a challenge. i think thats the only option though, he said injections are too traumatic and frankly i dont want to do that again to him. he also discussed an option where you use a nebulizer so he can breathe the medicine? ive never heard of this before. i think id prefer to force feed, so if anyone has tips id love to hear them i wish i knew when i got my mordy that the clicking noise wasnt normal, it would have saved a lot of heartache, but we love him very much now so i cant regret it too much. hes a trooper.

 

[TurtleRescueLI]

I also think you should leave the little one be for a bit and let him recover from that traumatic experience. Make sure he's on a slightly damp substrate or in a moist hide and kept warm. Force feeding will only make matters worse. When he feels well he'll eat, keep up the soaks to keep him hydrated. If you don't see improvement in a day or two then get to the other experienced vet for a culture to see if he has an infection or not and proceed with nebulizer treatment if necessary. That's the best method for a tortoise that is hard to inject with a needle. Good luck, hope he does well.

P.S. Definitely let that vet clinic know that Dr. Gardner is not qualified at this point to treat small animals and should be educated on how to treat both them and the client.

thank you everyone! there is a vet who has 30 years experience with reptiles, so thats where ill be taking him soon. i called yesterday and they said they can teach me to force feed him, but my little guy is difficult so i know this will be a challenge. i think thats the only option though, he said injections are too traumatic and frankly i dont want to do that again to him. he also discussed an option where you use a nebulizer so he can breathe the medicine? ive never heard of this before. i think id prefer to force feed, so if anyone has tips id love to hear them i wish i knew when i got my mordy that the clicking noise wasnt normal, it would have saved a lot of heartache, but we love him very much now so i cant regret it too much. hes a trooper.

 

[wellington]

So sorry for your experience. Just to let you know. Veterinarians are only human. They are not gods. So if ever you feel uncomfortable, speak up or walk out. Its your animal/family, not theirs. I not only worked for a vet but I also confronted them. The confrontation was the best thing I could have done. It was with my dog. I liked the vet, but she left me hanging one day when my dog was sick and had to stay at the clinic. She didn't call me when she was suppose to. I let her know that my dog is a family member, not just an object, and what my animals mean to me. We argued and I didn't give in until she understood where I stood and that it was going to go my way, after all, I pay her, she doesn't pay me. Never had a problem with her since and I always requested her even with my new dog. I am sure when it comes to reptiles and vets that are not reptiles vets, they don't get how they are our family same as a dog or cat. Most people don't understand why someone would want a tortoise, let alone think that they can mean a lot to us. Some times it's hard if your not one to make waves. I am not usually one to speak up. However, when it comes to my animals, who can't speak for themselves, you better look out. I then can be very vicious, if being nice doesn't work. Sorry for the long post. I really hope all turns out good for you and your little one. I would give him a few
days to recover from the ordeal and then see the new reptile vet. Please keep us
updated, we are all sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Mordy]

just thinking about the buck-toothed woman angers me to the point where i want to personally speak to the vet in charge of that clinic. when i calm down some i will make sure to calmly explain this situation. she was terrible.

mordy hasnt eaten for about a week now, how long until i have to force feed him? we have left him alone besides the soaks and checking on him to make sure i dont have to rush to the emergency room. the thing that makes me feel a little better is that he has enough energy to walk a little.

I also think you should leave the little one be for a bit and let him recover from that traumatic experience. Make sure he's on a slightly damp substrate or in a moist hide and kept warm. Force feeding will only make matters worse. When he feels well he'll eat, keep up the soaks to keep him hydrated. If you don't see improvement in a day or two then get to the other experienced vet for a culture to see if he has an infection or not and proceed with nebulizer treatment if necessary. That's the best method for a tortoise that is hard to inject with a needle. Good luck, hope he does well.

P.S. Definitely let that vet clinic know that Dr. Gardner is not qualified at this point to treat small animals and should be educated on how to treat both them and the client.

thank you everyone! there is a vet who has 30 years experience with reptiles, so thats where ill be taking him soon. i called yesterday and they said they can teach me to force feed him, but my little guy is difficult so i know this will be a challenge. i think thats the only option though, he said injections are too traumatic and frankly i dont want to do that again to him. he also discussed an option where you use a nebulizer so he can breathe the medicine? ive never heard of this before. i think id prefer to force feed, so if anyone has tips id love to hear them i wish i knew when i got my mordy that the clicking noise wasnt normal, it would have saved a lot of heartache, but we love him very much now so i cant regret it too much. hes a trooper.

---

youre so right. next time i will definitely tell her. she took mordy away so fast and i thought about going after her, but didnt want to seem rude :/ big mistake.
i too notice people who dont get why we care about tortoises. one vet tech said "youre bringing that to the vet?". excuse me, but THAT is family, of course i am. some of my family didnt like tortoises before, but mordy is just so appealing and innocent, whats not to love? i hope he gets better.

So sorry for your experience. Just to let you know. Veterinarians are only human. They are not gods. So if ever you feel uncomfortable, speak up or walk out. Its your animal/family, not theirs. I not only worked for a vet but I also confronted them. The confrontation was the best thing I could have done. It was with my dog. I liked the vet, but she left me hanging one day when my dog was sick and had to stay at the clinic. She didn't call me when she was suppose to. I let her know that my dog is a family member, not just an object, and what my animals mean to me. We argued and I didn't give in until she understood where I stood and that it was going to go my way, after all, I pay her, she doesn't pay me. Never had a problem with her since and I always requested her even with my new dog. I am sure when it comes to reptiles and vets that are not reptiles vets, they don't get how they are our family same as a dog or cat. Most people don't understand why someone would want a tortoise, let alone think that they can mean a lot to us. Some times it's hard if your not one to make waves. I am not usually one to speak up. However, when it comes to my animals, who can't speak for themselves, you better look out. I then can be very vicious, if being nice doesn't work. Sorry for the long post. I really hope all turns out good for you and your little one. I would give him a few
days to recover from the ordeal and then see the new reptile vet. Please keep us
updated, we are all sending good thoughts your way.

 

[DixieParadise]

try putting down a piece of fruit of something that you know he really really likes. A piece of banana or watermelon. See if he will eat that. I am sure he is just really stressed and traumatized. You had an unfortunate experience with this vet, but please don't let it shy you away from taking your tortoise to another vet. I agree with Yvonne, take the letter you wrote and show it to the other vet. They are all in a networking circle, so perhaps your real vet will be able to share with the other vet what is happening in his own office. Good Luck to you and keep us posted.

 

[Bow]

That's so terrible maybe try canned pumpkin or baby food with lots of vitamins mixed in, it smells sweet so it encourages them to eat it.

 

[Mordy]

i am going to put carrot gerber in his enclosure. i put bok choy and spinach in last night, but i dont think he ate. this morning i just let him be. thanks guys.

 

[Bow]

Good luck!

 

[lisa127]

Elevated heat....leisurely warm water soaks....quiet time at his pad.....no more auto rides....no more weird people looking poking tugging flipping him for awhile....and I have to share with you that once a tort has Uri meds can be offered to arrest the discharge...wet lungs and heal up the overall ailing feeling....but they will always be prone to flare ups during their lifetime....calm and routine are key......

Is this really true? Once a turtle or tortoise has respiratory issues, they will always be prone to them?

OP....I'm very sorry for your experience.