Since my little Russian has tested positive for mycoplasma, does this mean that I can't get another tortoise ever? Even if it's a different species?
Mycoplasma
- Thread starter symplestytches
- Start date
Mycoplasma is transmitted to any species of turtle or tortoise. It does not limit you no. But it does force you to become very very strict on biosecurity of care. If you do choose to add another tortoise it cannot live in or very close to the existing. Gloves should be used and tossed after touching anything in either enclosure. Dedicated water bowls, hides, good plates, decorations etc... Should be used only for your known carrier. It can be done but I would suggest not to. It's a lot of work on you. Wouldn't want to infect another one.
Thanks for the response. that's what I was afraid of. Oh well, that will just make it so that I don't have to divide my attentions between more critters and can focus on making sure this guy has the best care throughout his lifespan, however long or short that might be. Do you or anyone else happen to know the average lifespan of a tort with mycoplasma? and how to help him to live a long life despite this setback in his health?
If the tortoise is kept stress-free they can live a normal life and a normal length of time. The mycoplasma is in the blood, but the tortoise probably will never show symptoms (respiratory infection) if he is kept stress free.
awesome! I am happy to hear that he can have a good and long life despite this setback. we currently are finishing up a batch of injectable antibiotics since his lungs we sounding loud and he has asymmetrical nares, but since we started the meds he hasn't been sneezing while eating, which is wonderful. He goes in for a fecal testing next week since he had some protozoa that he was being treated for, then when we get the all clear we're cleaning out his normal habitat and putting fresh stuff. I will also be planting some indoor plants in there as well for nibbles and change of scenery, and preparing an outdoor enclosure to go on my balcony until we get a proper house where I can build him a permanent spring/summer outdoor enclosure, since we live in the PNW.
Hi Anna:
You should know that regular antibiotics have no effect on the mycoplasma. There are more than one kind of mycoplasma, but here's an article that may give you a better understanding :
http://www.deserttortoise.org/abstracts/abstracts2003/2003abs15.html
You should know that regular antibiotics have no effect on the mycoplasma. There are more than one kind of mycoplasma, but here's an article that may give you a better understanding :
http://www.deserttortoise.org/abstracts/abstracts2003/2003abs15.html
that's really good to know. thank you for the article! I believe the vet prescribed the antibiotics since we were still waiting for the culture to come back with the mycoplasma result, so she wanted to have him on something until we knew for sure. When they called with the positive results from the test, they said the most we could do from here on out was to provide exceptional care and manage any flare-ups with nose drops or some other medication to help soothe the symptoms, depending on what they were. was the vet office correct on this?
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I wanted to ask, is it my poor care of him that caused him to have this mycoplasma?
New Question: is it safe to hibernate a tortoise that has tested positive for mycoplasma???? I keep reading about how it's so good for the tort healthwise to hibernate, but only if they have a clean bill of health, so I don't know if this makes it so that he can never hibernate safely....
