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My poor russian tort was diagnosed with a respiratory infection last week, we have shots and eyes and nose drops for him. I hope he can get better soon or i wont be able to keep due to vet bills :/
my poor tort..:(
- Thread starter towelie200
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Oh dear 
I am sorry to hear this. Hopefully he'll be on the mend quickly. Fortunately torts usually respond quickly to a course of antibiotics.
Make sure you soak him daily to keep him hydrated and don't let him get cold. Have you checked the temperatures in his enclosure? (Warm end, cool end, under the basking lamp and overnight minimum)
If you post them here someone will advise on any changes you might need to make.
I am sorry to hear this. Hopefully he'll be on the mend quickly. Fortunately torts usually respond quickly to a course of antibiotics.Make sure you soak him daily to keep him hydrated and don't let him get cold. Have you checked the temperatures in his enclosure? (Warm end, cool end, under the basking lamp and overnight minimum)
If you post them here someone will advise on any changes you might need to make.
Just follow the instructions from the vet. I am sure you will get him well soon. At least you caught it in time...
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yeah the vet told us to keep the basking light on all night, and to keep it at 87-90.
Is your vet an experienced reptile vet? How was a positive diagnosis reached? With this being a Russian tort and a rescue adoption tort, have you had him checked for parasite load?
If your fort is showing snotty nose I would also bump your temps in your enclosure to NEVER fall below 80° (even at night) I would also do warm water soaks a couple times a day for the entire treatment time as the meds will be hard on kidneys so soaking will aid in your Tortoise well being....
If your fort is showing snotty nose I would also bump your temps in your enclosure to NEVER fall below 80° (even at night) I would also do warm water soaks a couple times a day for the entire treatment time as the meds will be hard on kidneys so soaking will aid in your Tortoise well being....
I went thru a URI with my Sulcata, after 5 shots everyother day and a better handle on the temps in his enclosure (bumping them up to the proper level) he recover'd perfectly! Best of luck to you both!
Hi Kyle:
The reason your vet asked you to keep the light on at night is so you can keep the temperature up for him at night. While the idea of being warm at night is a good one, having 24 hours of daylight can be stressful to your sick tortoise. Instead of having the light on at night, you can use a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) at night. That's a fixture that provides heat without light. You can also use red or black light bulbs at night to keep up the temp.
Is the tortoise still eating?
The reason your vet asked you to keep the light on at night is so you can keep the temperature up for him at night. While the idea of being warm at night is a good one, having 24 hours of daylight can be stressful to your sick tortoise. Instead of having the light on at night, you can use a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) at night. That's a fixture that provides heat without light. You can also use red or black light bulbs at night to keep up the temp.
Is the tortoise still eating?
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she opened his mouth and saw white type things in his mouth, with constant sneezing and lethargy
white things in the mouth?
what are you treating with? that sounds like Mouth Rot.. and antibiotics might help that too...
what are you treating with? that sounds like Mouth Rot.. and antibiotics might help that too...
Is your vet an experienced reptile vet? So the vet just said because they noticed white things? What does white things mean? Puss balls? Cottage cheese stuff? Oozing sores? What does white stuff even mean? Did the vet explain to you what was seen? Did they do any micro exam on a bit of the white stuff? So I would contact your vet and ask them why seeing white stuff in the mouth (and what the white stuff is) equals RI?
I am with Yvonne....I would NOT leave a bright basking light on during the night...the more stress your tort experiences the more their system wears down...use a night red or black heat bulb....
Also...how does your vet determine your tort is lethargic by a vet visit...which is stressful in itself?
I am with Yvonne....I would NOT leave a bright basking light on during the night...the more stress your tort experiences the more their system wears down...use a night red or black heat bulb....
Also...how does your vet determine your tort is lethargic by a vet visit...which is stressful in itself?
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the lethargy was a symptom i noticed myself, ive had him for three weeks. he has eaten once maybe twice. ive looked into ceramic heat bulbs, i just dont have the money for a new bulb and new fixture
So sorry to hear your news. If you can answer some of the questions asked, other tort keepers might be able to help more.
Maybe you could use Angela's suggestion and switch the heat/uv bulb out for a black or red bulb at night. You can get these at places like Walmart, they are very inexpensive. Then put the basking/UV bulb back in the am.
Keeping him warm and hydrated is very important.
Maybe you could use Angela's suggestion and switch the heat/uv bulb out for a black or red bulb at night. You can get these at places like Walmart, they are very inexpensive. Then put the basking/UV bulb back in the am.
Keeping him warm and hydrated is very important.
Ceramic heat emitters can be expensive...however, the red or black night bulbs are relatively inexpensive...I believe somewhere around ten dollars in most pet stops...
I really would not keep the bright basking light on all night....
Please do call your vet and ask them to explain to you why seeing white stuff? in the mouth caused them to tell you your tort has RI....please get your vet to do their job and explain to you what they observed and why that prompted them to say RI....have them explain so you know and can be better informed so you can decide what is best for your tort..you know?
Where about in the world do you live? I don't want your street address...lol....just a general idea ...
I really would not keep the bright basking light on all night....
Please do call your vet and ask them to explain to you why seeing white stuff? in the mouth caused them to tell you your tort has RI....please get your vet to do their job and explain to you what they observed and why that prompted them to say RI....have them explain so you know and can be better informed so you can decide what is best for your tort..you know?
Where about in the world do you live? I don't want your street address...lol....just a general idea ...
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i live in phoenix!
So sorry! Hope he gets better!
Is there any way possible to allow him to be outdoors in a safe and escape proof enclosure? This would be ideal as you should be having really warm dry air right now which would be great for your tort...
And hey, I know that this sucks for you right now....anytime a tort seems to be ailing it can be trying and make you feel a bit helpless....but I would first check with the vet and have her share more with you about the white stuff ....then take a deep breath and get a calendar and mark your schedule of what treatment happens when and get to it... and don't forget the warm water soaks okay along with figuring out a way to keep your night temps up to the 80° mark....
YOU CAAAAANNNN DOOO IT!
And hey, I know that this sucks for you right now....anytime a tort seems to be ailing it can be trying and make you feel a bit helpless....but I would first check with the vet and have her share more with you about the white stuff ....then take a deep breath and get a calendar and mark your schedule of what treatment happens when and get to it...
and don't forget the warm water soaks okay along with figuring out a way to keep your night temps up to the 80° mark....YOU CAAAAANNNN DOOO IT!
What is happening with your tort? did you get any more information?
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he is doing alot better! moving arouns not sneezing, not eating everyday but he is about 15 years old so that doesnt really bother me! Except there are ants in there.. dont know what to do about that..
Well that's good news. Make sure you still keep him warm, and give daily soaks until he is fully recovered.
Here is a safe and effective ant treatment. Might take several days to a week to work.
http://www.terro.com/products.php?product=liquid_ant_bait
They come in little containers, and use boric acid which is safe/organic. They make them for inside and outside areas. BTW, only fireants (outside) will potentially harm your torts. Regular ants won't, but they can be a hassle.
Make sure you keep poo and uneaten food cleaned up.
Here is a safe and effective ant treatment. Might take several days to a week to work.
http://www.terro.com/products.php?product=liquid_ant_bait
They come in little containers, and use boric acid which is safe/organic. They make them for inside and outside areas. BTW, only fireants (outside) will potentially harm your torts. Regular ants won't, but they can be a hassle.
Make sure you keep poo and uneaten food cleaned up.
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