Please help if you can (lump on throat)

[Ron Cobb]

I have those dishes at home AND I have printed the entire forum answers I've been sent so I have a "grocery list" to hit Vons on the way home.

 

[Yvonne G]

You can find quite a few different 'greens' in the produce department of Von's.

But if the tortoise has an enlarged pituitary gland (goiter), changing the diet isn't going to help. He still needs to be seen by a vet.

 

[turtlelou]

Wow.....................................Should I literally "soak" her in a bath of some type ? I'm sooooo sorry to be burning up all of you peoples time ! Looks like I need to take a few days off to tend to her, so much to get done in a short period of time. I have a rose bush that I DO NOT use pesticides, I can actually feed her that ? If so, I'm leaving my office and headed home for some nursing.

Thank you all,

Ron

Yes, you should get a container and soak her...not deep though. There should be enough water for her to soak but her head should be able to reach the air.
Only feed the petals and leaves of the rose.

 

[Ron Cobb]

I'm headed to Vons and then home so I'll be off for a spell. Thanks again, gonna do everything you all suggested as a start and see if I can't get her in earlier than appointed.

 

[Ron Cobb]

Yes Yvonne, she's going to the vet no matter what so I can at least know what in the heck is wrong. I'm outta here.

Ron

 

[Irwin4530]

Keep us posted ! I hope he feels better soon! What kind if bedding do you use?

It is SO FUN it plan outdoor enclosures....do
You have an area where you
Could build one for
Him.....he will love you forever!!!

 

[StarSapphire22]

Other than the obvious issues right now that require medical attention, it sounds like there is quite a bit wrong with your husbandry. Check out the Russian care sheet in the top of the Russian section. Proper care will be crucial in recovery. Good luck!

 

[Ron Cobb]

Hello Irwin and Star:

I have been using a mixer of soft pet soil (supposedly great for turtles per Pet Smart) and a light sand. I'm thinking after all my research there will be a whole lot of changes. One must realize again, I've had her for 15 uncomplicated years. I'm not a trained tortoise care taker and this all came up rather quickly.
Now.....................I stopped at the vets today, left the very same pictures of Speedy that are on this site and implored the office vet assistant to give them to my favorite vet and to have her call me immediately upon review. I have been using this "animal hospital" for 18 years and can not fathom what I've spent there. Though since VCA purchased them from the original doctors, I have seen a tremendous amount of turn over in doctors and staff, there is still a core of long timers that I know that are still employed there.
So you would think I would of at least got a courtesy call or at least a quick email back ???????????????????? NOPE ! Needless to say I DID buy some collard and mustard greens and put a perfectly sized flower pot run off tray full of water in her pen. She ate all the greens and took a soothing bath, loved it.
Star.....................I appreciate your concerns and direction you have given me. I take full blame in having a pet that I didn't have the proper knowledge in caring for. I also HOPE those of you that have corresponded with me appreciate the fact I have taken this matter quite seriously and not done what many people (my opinion) would do and simply not care and let the Speedster suffer until death. Yes my "husbandry" must have fallen short but I assure you, my love for Speedy never did. I thank you for the blessing of good luck ! Lastly Irwin, YES I have plenty of area to make an outside pen and will heed your suggestion just as soon as we are out of the water with my baby and her health issues.

I will attempt to keep you all in the loop of my efforts and the results as best as possible and I CAN NOT reiterate enough, THANK YOU ALL !
Ron

 

[Shakudo]

Hello Irwin and Star:

I have been using a mixer of soft pet soil (supposedly great for turtles per Pet Smart) and a light sand. I'm thinking after all my research there will be a whole lot of changes. One must realize again, I've had her for 15 uncomplicated years. I'm not a trained tortoise care taker and this all came up rather quickly.
Now.....................I stopped at the vets today, left the very same pictures of Speedy that are on this site and implored the office vet assistant to give them to my favorite vet and to have her call me immediately upon review. I have been using this "animal hospital" for 18 years and can not fathom what I've spent there. Though since VCA purchased them from the original doctors, I have seen a tremendous amount of turn over in doctors and staff, there is still a core of long timers that I know that are still employed there.
So you would think I would of at least got a courtesy call or at least a quick email back ???????????????????? NOPE ! Needless to say I DID buy some collard and mustard greens and put a perfectly sized flower pot run off tray full of water in her pen. She ate all the greens and took a soothing bath, loved it.
Star.....................I appreciate your concerns and direction you have given me. I take full blame in having a pet that I didn't have the proper knowledge in caring for. I also HOPE those of you that have corresponded with me appreciate the fact I have taken this matter quite seriously and not done what many people (my opinion) would do and simply not care and let the Speedster suffer until death. Yes my "husbandry" must have fallen short but I assure you, my love for Speedy never did. I thank you for the blessing of good luck ! Lastly Irwin, YES I have plenty of area to make an outside pen and will heed your suggestion just as soon as we are out of the water with my baby and her health issues.

I will attempt to keep you all in the loop of my efforts and the results as best as possible and I CAN NOT reiterate enough, THANK YOU ALL !
Ron

Hi Ron,


Boy you are hard on yourself, and I can understand that, I would be too.

But maybe it's time to forgive yourself, and realize you made mistakes, but unintentionally, and you are doing your uttermost best to correct it.

It's obvious you care a lot about Speedy and I am touched by that.
You'll find a lot of information here, on www.russiantortoise.net and on www.thetortoisetable.org.uk.

I hope everything works out for you and your tortoise.


Take care,

Joey

 

[Kim444]

Please just make an appointment with the Vet. They are just going to tell you to bring him in anyways, They will not be able to tell by a picture what the lump is. Most vets do not appreciate being asked what is wrong with my pet through a photo or phone call description, they will always ask to see the animal. He needs a beak trim no matter what and the lump will need to be seen/felt/lanced or possible biopsied by the vet. Blood work will need to be drawn, when they do call you, they will just tell you it could be a number of things and to bring him in.

I have a vet right near me that I bring my dog to that also handles exotics(birds,reptiles,rodents, etc..) however they do not specialize in reptiles so I travel 30 kms to a more specialized vet. It might be worth your while to look into the directory of vets we supplied to on this forum to see if there is a more specialized reptile vet near by. With a lump like that, I would want a specialist to look at it.

Glad you are working on better husbandry and diet for your tort. We can tell you love him.

 

[Ron Cobb]

Hi Kim and all:

I should have been more clear on my vet photo issue. You see the are supposed to SQEEZE me in this afternoon, I ATTEMPTED to get in earlier by showing the photos in HOPES Dr. Smith (one of my friends I thought) would say, Geeeeez Ron, this is bad, get her in NOW ! I DO NOT like to see a "baby" of mine suffer, period ! I want to go to an establishment where I know the staff (though the turn around at my local vet hospital lately hampers that) and I've always been told by my vets, "what ever you need, we'll do it". Hence the photo given to review I have never turned to a forum nor do I make it a habit to ask for help from anyone but I offer my hand to anyone in need.

I have a saying I live by:
"If I could only save you or an animal from a speeding train, unfortunately you probably won't see tomorrow" That my dear friends of late is what I am made of.

Have a great day, I think will. I took today off hoping I get that call to get Speedy in pronto,

Ron

 

[Irwin4530]

Ron,
I am sure that your
Love and concern for speedy will lead to a full recovery I hope your vet is able to get you in today....
(Sending positive thoughts!)

As soon as your ready we all love to help with and view new enclosures.

 

[Ron Cobb]

Hey Joey:
Yes forgiveness comes at a price. Let me tell you a short story and everyone else out there should not misconstrue the reason for the story other than, just a story.
I head the legal department for a rather large construction equipment company and thus my time is scarce at best.
So as I'm headed to my office a mere 55 miles from my humble home I hear on a local radio station a Golden Retriever had dug her way out, got into a neighbors chicken coup and the neighbor shot her with a shot gun.
Now the owners were quite short on cash (I despise the word poor) and couldn't afford the surgery and care the "baby" would need to survive, so my local animal hospital had been taking donations via a open jar on the counter. Alarmed I turned around (here comes the short time issue), went back to my animal hospital and unfortunately there wasn't much money in the jar.
This was prior to VCA buying the old group out so I knew all of the staff quite well. "Angel" (her name I was then told) was going into surgery so I decided to park my butt in the waiting room to see the outcome and while doing so, I gave my friend there at the hospital a blank check and informed her I will cover all expenses including "after care".
This is the very hospital I was hoping for a little "back up" yesterday by leaving pictures, hence my disappointment and frustration.
Needles to say "Angel" pulled through, they let me see and kiss her in the recovery room before leaving, the check was filled out and I felt really good about myself. The rest is history, hope you enjoyed me being on my soap box. Again just a story but as said before, what I am made of.

Thank you for the concern and direction you have provided !

Ron

 

[Kim444]

Hi Kim and all:

I should have been more clear on my vet photo issue. You see the are supposed to SQEEZE me in this afternoon, I ATTEMPTED to get in earlier by showing the photos in HOPES Dr. Smith (one of my friends I thought) would say, Geeeeez Ron, this is bad, get her in NOW ! I DO NOT like to see a "baby" of mine suffer, period ! I want to go to an establishment where I know the staff (though the turn around at my local vet hospital lately hampers that) and I've always been told by my vets, "what ever you need, we'll do it". Hence the photo given to review I have never turned to a forum nor do I make it a habit to ask for help from anyone but I offer my hand to anyone in need.

I have a saying I live by:
"If I could only save you or an animal from a speeding train, unfortunately you probably won't see tomorrow" That my dear friends of late is what I am made of.

Have a great day, I think will. I took today off hoping I get that call to get Speedy in pronto,

Ron

oh I see, that makes complete sense. Hope you can get him seen and get some answers today.

 

[Kim444]

Hey Joey:
Yes forgiveness comes at a price. Let me tell you a short story and everyone else out there should not misconstrue the reason for the story other than, just a story.
I head the legal department for a rather large construction equipment company and thus my time is scarce at best.
So as I'm headed to my office a mere 55 miles from my humble home I hear on a local radio station a Golden Retriever had dug her way out, got into a neighbors chicken coup and the neighbor shot her with a shot gun.
Now the owners were quite short on cash (I despise the word poor) and couldn't afford the surgery and care the "baby" would need to survive, so my local animal hospital had been taking donations via a open jar on the counter. Alarmed I turned around (here comes the short time issue), went back to my animal hospital and unfortunately there wasn't much money in the jar.
This was prior to VCA buying the old group out so I knew all of the staff quite well. "Angel" (her name I was then told) was going into surgery so I decided to park my butt in the waiting room to see the outcome and while doing so, I gave my friend there at the hospital a blank check and informed her I will cover all expenses including "after care".
This is the very hospital I was hoping for a little "back up" yesterday by leaving pictures, hence my disappointment and frustration.
Needles to say "Angel" pulled through, they let me see and kiss her in the recovery room before leaving, the check was filled out and I felt really good about myself. The rest is history, hope you enjoyed me being on my soap box. Again just a story but as said before, what I am made of.

Thank you for the concern and direction you have provided !

Ron

I love that story, you are one of a kind, not everyone would do that. You were Angel's Angel.

 

[Ron Cobb]

Hey Irwin:
Speedy is out and about and loving her personal swimming pool. Man she ate enough Mustard greens yesterday to feed a horse (actually she has always ate like that). I WILL get in today and we (there isn't an "I" in the word team) will prevail. So much love and concern shown my way on this matter, update to follow soon !

Ron

 

[Ron Cobb]

Hey Kim:
Thanks but I'm no angel, hero or superman, but I am for real. What my calling is I truly believe I was put on this earth to help people and beloved animals, wild and pets, and not to ask much of others.
I'm nothing but a human with a heart, just as all of you I have corresponded with.
Take care my friend, I'll be on this forum and giving Speedster loving until I get the much wanted call from Doc. I will say I'll sleep comfortly (unlike little at best recently) when this is done,
Ron

 

[Ron Cobb]

One last question and I swear I'll leave you peeps alone. Speedy ate all her mustard greens and explained earlier. I just gave her a big ole dish of collard greens and she's eating them also.

Question...................................can you over feed a turtle ? I don't want her becoming obese too Man I'm getting punch drunk thank God I have a fantastic staff at work, I may be slobbering out of the corner of my mouth for days (just a little humor), laughter is the best medicine so they say.

Ron

 

[Abdulla6169]

One last question and I swear I'll leave you peeps alone. Speedy ate all her mustard greens and explained earlier. I just gave her a big ole dish of collard greens and she's eating them also.

Question...................................can you over feed a turtle ? I don't want her becoming obese too Man I'm getting punch drunk.

Ron

Ask all you want. Yes it's possible, you should just feed a good amount and leave him alone. He'd be obese if you fed him every short while, that's not a major issue until he can't get into his shell

 

[Ron Cobb]

Appreciate the chuckle !

Ron