Our visit to a reptile specialist

orv

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Thank you, KrissyLeigh!
Boy, those vets sounds GREAT!!![emoji2][emoji106][emoji173]️
MOOZILLION: I am always grateful for my fellow turtle/tortoise stewards when you are willing to sacrifice more than "just a little" time for our dimunitive creatures. I truly see that you've accepted stewardship seriously. I hope for a long and rewarding life for you and Jacques. Thank you for giving such love.
 

Moozillion

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MOOZILLION: I am always grateful for my fellow turtle/tortoise stewards when you are willing to sacrifice more than "just a little" time for our dimunitive creatures. I truly see that you've accepted stewardship seriously. I hope for a long and rewarding life for you and Jacques. Thank you for giving such love.
THANK you, orv! :):<3:
 

Moozillion

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I got today's update from the vet, and am not sure what to think.

The doctor was examining her when I called.
Although she floats much more level than she had been, she is still a little too front-heavy, which suggests the infection is not yet fully resolved.
The more worrisome thing is that she has started developing red spots on her skin. :( I don't know exactly WHERE on her skin the spots are: injection site? everywhere? The tech said the doctor felt that could be a sign of the infection now manifesting in her skin. I asked the tech if he thinks it's sepsis, but she said he made no mention of sepsis.

On the good side, she remains alert and active and is behaving just how they like to see.
I told the tech EMPHATICALLY that there is NO rush on my bringing her home. I want her to be completely recovered or at least sufficiently recovered that the doctor is VERY comfortable with her coming home.

I am going to call and leave a message that I'd just like to hear from the doctor himself as to what his thoughts are.
 

Stuart S.

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I got today's update from the vet, and am not sure what to think.

The doctor was examining her when I called.
Although she floats much more level than she had been, she is still a little too front-heavy, which suggests the infection is not yet fully resolved.
The more worrisome thing is that she has started developing red spots on her skin. :( I don't know exactly WHERE on her skin the spots are: injection site? everywhere? The tech said the doctor felt that could be a sign of the infection now manifesting in her skin. I asked the tech if he thinks it's sepsis, but she said he made no mention of sepsis.

On the good side, she remains alert and active and is behaving just how they like to see.
I told the tech EMPHATICALLY that there is NO rush on my bringing her home. I want her to be completely recovered or at least sufficiently recovered that the doctor is VERY comfortable with her coming home.

I am going to call and leave a message that I'd just like to hear from the doctor himself as to what his thoughts are.

Praying for a healthy recovery, I would do my best to try and talk to the vet directly as well [emoji6]
 

MrMarg&me

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It is good Jacques is exhibiting healthy behavior. I am interested in what the vet will say. Thinking of you. Every day I check for Jacques updates.:<3:
 

Moozillion

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It is good Jacques is exhibiting healthy behavior. I am interested in what the vet will say. Thinking of you. Every day I check for Jacques updates.:<3:

Thank you, MissMarg&me! [emoji2][emoji173]️
 

Moozillion

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I got to speak to the vet himself today.

He said that on EACH of her 4 legs, right where they go into the shell, Jacques has "a small, red blotch about the size of the head of a pin."
The redness is NOT near any injection sites, and she wasn't getting injections in her back legs anyway.
He's not totally sure what's causing them. His first thoughts are that it could be some minor irritation since she hasn't been in a fully aquatic environment for nearly a week. Although she gets soaked daily and he floats her to calculate her progress, she's mostly dry docked. Since she JUST shed a bunch of skin (she was still shedding when I brought her to them last week) that seems kind of reasonable to me- assuming that the new skin is more tender than the old skin, maybe?
He said it could also be an infection that is not particularly coming from the pneumonia.

I asked him about sepsis, and he's QUITE sure she's NOT septic. He says a septic animal acts REALLY sick, is lethargic and unresponsive. He says Jacques acts much too healthy to be septic: she's bright, alert, active on her own and reactive to being handled. So THAT'S good, at least!

Regardless, they're going to continue to keep a close eye on her and we'll just go day by day.
@Markw84
@Tidgy's Dad @MissMarg&me @CarolM
 

MrMarg&me

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Thank you for the thorough update. Goodness Jacques sure is having an adventure. She will be so happy when she gets to come back home to you.
 

Moozillion

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Thank you, MissMarg&me![emoji2][emoji173]️
Thank you, Stuart S![emoji2][emoji173]️
Fingers crossed!!!!![emoji2]
 

CarolM

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I got to speak to the vet himself today.

He said that on EACH of her 4 legs, right where they go into the shell, Jacques has "a small, red blotch about the size of the head of a pin."
The redness is NOT near any injection sites, and she wasn't getting injections in her back legs anyway.
He's not totally sure what's causing them. His first thoughts are that it could be some minor irritation since she hasn't been in a fully aquatic environment for nearly a week. Although she gets soaked daily and he floats her to calculate her progress, she's mostly dry docked. Since she JUST shed a bunch of skin (she was still shedding when I brought her to them last week) that seems kind of reasonable to me- assuming that the new skin is more tender than the old skin, maybe?
He said it could also be an infection that is not particularly coming from the pneumonia.

I asked him about sepsis, and he's QUITE sure she's NOT septic. He says a septic animal acts REALLY sick, is lethargic and unresponsive. He says Jacques acts much too healthy to be septic: she's bright, alert, active on her own and reactive to being handled. So THAT'S good, at least!

Regardless, they're going to continue to keep a close eye on her and we'll just go day by day.
@Markw84
@Tidgy's Dad @MissMarg&me @CarolM
Well. That sounds really positive. And the tender skin does sound plausible too. Lets hope that all goes as planned and she gets to come home to Mommy and Daddy.
 

Moozillion

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Hey it is Tuesday morning having coffee and hoping little Jacques is continueing to mend!:<3::<3::<3:

Thanks so much! [emoji2][emoji173]️
It’s almost 11:30 am over here and I haven’t heard anything yet.
I’ll give them a buzz around 1:00.
 

Moozillion

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:) UPDATE ON JACQUES

She continues to do well: is active, alert and responsive. The red spots are still there but seem to be fading a bit. The doctor wants to keep her 2 more days to get 2 more doses of antibiotic, but she should be able to come home Thursday or Friday, according to the tech.

:):):):):)
 

orv

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:) UPDATE ON JACQUES

She continues to do well: is active, alert and responsive. The red spots are still there but seem to be fading a bit. The doctor wants to keep her 2 more days to get 2 more doses of antibiotic, but she should be able to come home Thursday or Friday, according to the tech.

:):):):):)
Moo, your saga with Jacques is such an uplifting experience, as well as a challenge to me. I am going to seek out a Chelan veterinarian right away. Our tortoises have been to our general practice vet for various issues and wellness checks, but never to a doctor that specializes in tortoises. They have never been truly sick. As we have acquired new family members, we have had fecal and blood labs performed for general health and to check for parasites at our local veterinarian, which is all well and good. Now however, I'm going to seek out a proper Chelan practitioner. . . preparing for the inevitable. Thank you.
 

TammyJ

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Moo, I hope Jacques continues to improve until she is perfectly OK again.
I was concerned to read about the red spots and thought it may be a bit of an allergic reaction to the antibiotic or the other medication?
Thank you for being so loving and caring to your precious little turtle! She is very lucky!
Please keep us posted. All the very best.
 

Moozillion

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Moo, your saga with Jacques is such an uplifting experience, as well as a challenge to me. I am going to seek out a Chelan veterinarian right away. Our tortoises have been to our general practice vet for various issues and wellness checks, but never to a doctor that specializes in tortoises. They have never been truly sick. As we have acquired new family members, we have had fecal and blood labs performed for general health and to check for parasites at our local veterinarian, which is all well and good. Now however, I'm going to seek out a proper Chelan practitioner. . . preparing for the inevitable. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind support, orv!!!:):<3:
I'm very grateful if Jacques' story helps other turtles and tortoises!!!! :<3:
 

Moozillion

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Moo, I hope Jacques continues to improve until she is perfectly OK again.
I was concerned to read about the red spots and thought it may be a bit of an allergic reaction to the antibiotic or the other medication?
Thank you for being so loving and caring to your precious little turtle! She is very lucky!
Please keep us posted. All the very best.
Thank you so much, TammyJ! :):<3:
 
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