My 13 year old Herman's is showing pinking on his plastron, it seems to come and go and when I press on areas it dissapears. I am aware that pinking can be signs of infection or sepsis but I am unable to get to a vet for a week. What does everyone think? Is the fact it dissapears when touched a good or bad sign?
Pinking plastron... Dissapears when pressed
- Thread starter Katyemmab
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- pink plastron plastron
Here it is, it seems to come and go but I would say on whole he seems to be getting pinker. I have managed to book ohim to see a vet this evening, any ideas what I should expect? Also has anyone got any rough idea or treatment cost if he needs antibiotics? Thank you so much for taking the time tk reply 
harrythetortoise
Well-Known Member
Has he been eating/pooping normally?
Ye
Yes seems fine in himself
harrythetortoise
Well-Known Member
That's a good sign. I would get him to a vet asap to rule out any shell infection. If it is an infection, early treatment is important for a good prognosis.
Let's see if @zovik @ZenHerper or @Yvonne or @Tom can help with this.
They'll be able to tell you what treatment to accept.
Is your vet a tort specialist?
They'll be able to tell you what treatment to accept.
Is your vet a tort specialist?
Looks kinda like sepsis, but I'm not sure about it being soft. If the tort is acting normal, and this is new stuff; I would watch it for another week, then if still there I'd do the Vet treatment.
ZenHerper
Well-Known Member
Plastral infections are pretty rare in tortoises and tied to something wrong in the environment or with the animal's immune system.
What kind of substrate does this tort live on?
What are the temperatures throughout the enclosure?
What is the humidity level on the ground?
What is the complete diet?
What kind of substrate does this tort live on?
What are the temperatures throughout the enclosure?
What is the humidity level on the ground?
What is the complete diet?
I've been watching for for a week and hasnt really changed so off to see vet this evening. Any idea what they will suggest if it's sepsis?
He has just come into my care properly and my understanding is he has been living outside on sunny days, inside at night and in a house on rainy days, so not getting proper UV and not proper substrate. With me now he has an indoor and outdoor Inclosure. Outdoor very large planted with everyday feeds, bathing area, top soil to Bury in and a humid box area aswell as an indoor heated area. And indoors a table set up with a combine baking lamp. He eats often (although not huge volumes) and seems well in himself.
Temps ranging from 36-15 in table and run and then 15 at night
ZenHerper
Well-Known Member
So "sepsis" is a systemic response to infection. When immune function is inappropriate, it can be quite dangerous.
Veterinarians who deal with tortoises must be very experienced...knowing what to do and what NOT to do. Tortoises are different from other reptiles, and different from turtles.
For animals otherwise behaving and eating normally, blood samples should be sent for a complete analysis before treatment is considered/started. Vitamin injections are generally harmful (vitamin A especially is not water soluble, it is held in body fat and overdoses are toxic).
It is very hard to tell from 2D photos on a screen whether your tortoise is showing normal rapid-growth "pink" (due to improved care), or something abnormal. If you have access to a qualified, experienced tortoise vet or rescue group, they would be able to tell for sure.
In the meantime, a few things:
*"Combination" heat and uvb radiation bulbs are proving themselves problematic - they do not produce healthful levels of radiation, and the heat beam is too concentrated...torts basking under them can be burned or have their new keratin dried too quickly. Torts spending 4-6 hours outdoors per week don't really need uvb radiation supplement over their indoor habitats.
*A tort that may be ailing should be kept no lower than 24*C overnight so that its immune, metabolic, and circulatory function are held at more steady levels.
*You have not said what specific foods this animal eats. Fruit is detrimental to digestive flora and kidney function in Hermanns...no fruit at all in the diet, even as "treats". Broad leaf weeds in variety: dandelion, chicory, plantain (wide or thin), viola/heartsease, true clover (not Oxalis species) -- all healthful, including the flowers. Collards, endive (curly and belgian varieties), beet greens (not roots) if you need to supplement from the grocery. If they pick-and-choose, chop leaves very small and mix.
*Hydration - soak this tortoise in clean warm water for 20-30 minutes twice daily. Even if it won't drink, water will absorb through the vent in the tail.
*Substrate issues - check the outdoor enclosure for standing water or mud and remediate as needed.
Veterinarians who deal with tortoises must be very experienced...knowing what to do and what NOT to do. Tortoises are different from other reptiles, and different from turtles.
For animals otherwise behaving and eating normally, blood samples should be sent for a complete analysis before treatment is considered/started. Vitamin injections are generally harmful (vitamin A especially is not water soluble, it is held in body fat and overdoses are toxic).
It is very hard to tell from 2D photos on a screen whether your tortoise is showing normal rapid-growth "pink" (due to improved care), or something abnormal. If you have access to a qualified, experienced tortoise vet or rescue group, they would be able to tell for sure.
In the meantime, a few things:
*"Combination" heat and uvb radiation bulbs are proving themselves problematic - they do not produce healthful levels of radiation, and the heat beam is too concentrated...torts basking under them can be burned or have their new keratin dried too quickly. Torts spending 4-6 hours outdoors per week don't really need uvb radiation supplement over their indoor habitats.
*A tort that may be ailing should be kept no lower than 24*C overnight so that its immune, metabolic, and circulatory function are held at more steady levels.
*You have not said what specific foods this animal eats. Fruit is detrimental to digestive flora and kidney function in Hermanns...no fruit at all in the diet, even as "treats". Broad leaf weeds in variety: dandelion, chicory, plantain (wide or thin), viola/heartsease, true clover (not Oxalis species) -- all healthful, including the flowers. Collards, endive (curly and belgian varieties), beet greens (not roots) if you need to supplement from the grocery. If they pick-and-choose, chop leaves very small and mix.
*Hydration - soak this tortoise in clean warm water for 20-30 minutes twice daily. Even if it won't drink, water will absorb through the vent in the tail.
*Substrate issues - check the outdoor enclosure for standing water or mud and remediate as needed.
Thank you so much that is all extremely helpful. I will increase night temps and look into new indoor heat source. His diet with me is solely weed based as mentioned above, he has calci dust sprinkled and has access to lump chalk. His substrate he spends most time on or under is top soil which is kept most but not soggy. He was previously fed on pellets, weeds and the occasional fruit so this has been changed. I am seeing a specialist vet this evening, I am hoping the bloods will be taken and then I can know for sure what is happening. I will be wary of vitamin shots too thank you
ZenHerper
Well-Known Member
Let us know what you find out!
*holding good thoughts for you both*
*holding good thoughts for you both*
