Mouth glued shut

El_dav10

New Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
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1
Location (City and/or State)
Bristol
Hello, I'm new to this site and hoping some of you much more experienced users will be able to guide me.
We have a 15-yr old female tortoise that we are looking after for my parents-in-law for 3 weeks. She arrived this morning and has the run of our fairly small back garden.
Within a few hours we noticed some gloopy, mucus-like stuff around her mouth, which was gluing her mouth shut. She could still breathe but it seemed to be covering her entire mouth. It was thick and very sticky. I had to pull it off with a tissue and she immediately went and ate, so it seemed to be stopping her opening her mouth.
My partner has fed her rocket leaves, apple and something she assumed was dandelion, but now worries it might not have been.
I wonder if anyone has any advice? We've sent a photo to my parents-in-law and they don't remember ever seeing anything like this before.
We are worried there might be a plant she's suddenly been exposed to that has caused this. And that if it had spread and covered her nostrils as well it could have suffocated her.
Thanks in advance for your help!

IMG-20170716-WA0008.jpg
 

kathyth

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Feb 28, 2012
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Beaumont, CA.
I can only say I would soak her in slightly warm water, to allow her to drink and get any ?? toxic substance out of her mouth.
I would only feed items you're positive are safe.
Good luck!!
 

Markw84

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Jan 17, 2012
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Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
Can't be sure from just that photo but looks like a tortoise that just ate some succulents/cactus - some of their favorite foods.
 

daniellenc

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Jun 10, 2017
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2,084
Location (City and/or State)
Maryland
Just gently wipe it off with a warm rag and definitely be careful with what she's eating.....not everything outside is safe.
 
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