Rebecca67449
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
- Messages
- 4
Hi everyone,
(Sorry this will be long)
I found this forum after taking in a sulcata tortoise about a year ago. He is about 9 pounds. He unfortinately spent the first years of his life without the proper care he needed which resulted in slight pyramiding of his shell so I could not wait to take him in, learn as much as I could, and give this guy a better life. I live in Las Vegas so the weather remains pretty ideal. I do house him indoors at night. In the year that I have had him I've noticed tremendous improvement in activity level, growth, shell appearance, and just a generally happy active tortoise. (His name is sheldon). Recently I had noticed a slight wheezing sound though there was no visible moisture around the nose. That was until yesterday when I checked on him and I noticed moisture coming from his mouth. I panicked and found an emergency vet who would see us immediately. He took xrays and confirmed it was a respritory infection that had luckily not spread to the lungs. He had an injection of antibiotics in his front leg and I have an appointment next week for another set of injections. The vet said it will be about 7 injections to ensure we fight off the infection completely. That being said through all of this Sheldon was still active and eating. I am just thankful I am very observant with any changes and I can't help to think what would have happened had I brushed off the slightly noticeable breathing by just upping temperatures like I had initially done. My question is what can I do do make sure this doesn't reoccur and if anyone has experience with treating a URI, Will the antibiotics definitely help? Sheldon seems to be doing great but the idea of my little guy going through this stress again breaks my heart. The vet seems to think we are doing everything right as far as diet, heating, lighting and general keep of our tortoise and feels it wasn't related to cooler temps at night which is what I worried had caused this. He said it can be as simple as general anatomy and that sulcatas are susceptible to reoccurring RI's but I want to make sure I am doing everything I can for sheldon. If there is anyone who has experienced this and had success with antibiotics or otherwise I would love to hear your thoughts. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.
(Sorry this will be long)
I found this forum after taking in a sulcata tortoise about a year ago. He is about 9 pounds. He unfortinately spent the first years of his life without the proper care he needed which resulted in slight pyramiding of his shell so I could not wait to take him in, learn as much as I could, and give this guy a better life. I live in Las Vegas so the weather remains pretty ideal. I do house him indoors at night. In the year that I have had him I've noticed tremendous improvement in activity level, growth, shell appearance, and just a generally happy active tortoise. (His name is sheldon). Recently I had noticed a slight wheezing sound though there was no visible moisture around the nose. That was until yesterday when I checked on him and I noticed moisture coming from his mouth. I panicked and found an emergency vet who would see us immediately. He took xrays and confirmed it was a respritory infection that had luckily not spread to the lungs. He had an injection of antibiotics in his front leg and I have an appointment next week for another set of injections. The vet said it will be about 7 injections to ensure we fight off the infection completely. That being said through all of this Sheldon was still active and eating. I am just thankful I am very observant with any changes and I can't help to think what would have happened had I brushed off the slightly noticeable breathing by just upping temperatures like I had initially done. My question is what can I do do make sure this doesn't reoccur and if anyone has experience with treating a URI, Will the antibiotics definitely help? Sheldon seems to be doing great but the idea of my little guy going through this stress again breaks my heart. The vet seems to think we are doing everything right as far as diet, heating, lighting and general keep of our tortoise and feels it wasn't related to cooler temps at night which is what I worried had caused this. He said it can be as simple as general anatomy and that sulcatas are susceptible to reoccurring RI's but I want to make sure I am doing everything I can for sheldon. If there is anyone who has experienced this and had success with antibiotics or otherwise I would love to hear your thoughts. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.