Pros and cons of taking my tortoise to a vet for a health check

[Charliethetortoise]

I have had a 1 1/2 year old tortoise for 2 weeks, and I am considering taking it to the vet for a regular health check. Any ideas on whether or not i should? How much do you think it would cost? Thanks

 

[dmmj]

Con:stress.money
Pro:establish a baseline for your tortoise,catch any problems hopefully before they get worse.

 

[katrvt]

Pros and cons ditto above. Cost depends on where you live and how affluent your area is, and if your Vet is a specialist or not. At my clinic in Oklahoma city, it would run you $65 for the exam and $25 for a fecal to check Flora and fauna load for baseline and for certain parasites that are truly harmful.

 

[tsemiller]

I took my tortoise to the vet for a check up when I got him and it cost £30 to see one who specialised in reptiles. Was worth it for peace of mind. Put a hot water bottle in a towel in a shoe box with some hay and use to transport tortoise. He didn't seem too stressed and was actually asleep when we arrived at vets lol. Glad I did cause he needed wormed and was also worth it for peace of mind. Vet was very knowledgable and spent a good 45 mins discussing enclosures, lighting, temperatures etc in great detail. Also he had care sheets for everything I needed to know - would def recommend a check up but make sure they specialise in tortoises.

 

[Charliethetortoise]

Thank you all. I think I am going to call a vet in the week and establish how much it would cost. It is not too expensive I think I will definitely visit the vets.

 

[JoesMum]

It depends. I have a recognised tortoise expert who does a pre hibernation check for free. If your vet is not a tortoise expert, save your money.

 

[ascott]

If it ain't broke why fix it.....just my thought....also, if the tort is still new to you the tort is still settling in ....new places and things like car rides and such are a very stressful event for such a private creature....I personally would not expose the tort to the stress unless there is a reason...

 

[JoesMum]

If it ain't broke why fix it.....just my thought....also, if the tort is still new to you the tort is still settling in ....new places and things like car rides and such are a very stressful event for such a private creature....I personally would not expose the tort to the stress unless there is a reason...

I agree. Joe hates the journey to the vet, no surprise there

I take him only when it's necessary ... and make an appointment first thing in the morning so that he travels when he hasn't warmed up and so gets less stressed.

 

[Fatnhappy]

Pros and cons ditto above. Cost depends on where you live and how affluent your area is, and if your Vet is a specialist or not. At my clinic in Oklahoma city, it would run you $65 for the exam and $25 for a fecal to check Flora and fauna load for baseline and for certain parasites that are truly harmful.

Hello from OKC!
Do you still have your tort and vet? Who and would you reccomend them? We got a baby redfoot last summer and have been looking for a vet to establish care.
Slim pickings in our metro.

 

[TammyJ]

yes...did you take him to the vet???

 

[Fatnhappy]

yes...did you take him to the vet???

Not yet. I have not been able to find anyone e with hood references. As much as I want to take (s)him in to get a baseline, I am more concerned with getting bad advice.
Who do you see? What tort do you have?
Our Don Chico is a redfoot.

 

[TammyJ]

Not yet. I have not been able to find anyone e with hood references. As much as I want to take (s)him in to get a baseline, I am more concerned with getting bad advice.
Who do you see? What tort do you have?
Our Don Chico is a redfoot.

I live in Jamaica in the Caribbean, it's a tropical island. I have Redfoot too, kept mostly outdoors and never set eyes on a vet. I stick with this site for advice and according to what I have learned here, my redfoot is doing great. But if I noticed anything that seemed wrong, I would be hard pressed to find a good herp vet anyway, unless I took him to the guy I know at the zoo who is a herpetologist. I have had bad experiences in the past with taking my reptiles to ordinary "vets". I have lived to regret those visits (two in all over about 30 years) but my pets have not.
My Redfoot's name is Io. That's one of Jupiter's moons.

 

[Fatnhappy]

I live in Jamaica in the Caribbean, it's a tropical island. I have Redfoot too, kept mostly outdoors and never set eyes on a vet. I stick with this site for advice and according to what I have learned here, my redfoot is doing great. But if I noticed anything that seemed wrong, I would be hard pressed to find a good herp vet anyway, unless I took him to the guy I know at the zoo who is a herpetologist. I have had bad experiences in the past with taking my reptiles to ordinary "vets". I have lived to regret those visits (two in all over about 30 years) but my pets have not.
My Redfoot's name is Io. That's one of Jupiter's moons.

The zoo herp guy...great idea! We've got quite a decent zoo herewith the Galapagos being one of the main attractions. I'll reach out to them.
Thanks for the idea!!

 

[jsheffield]

I have a health checklist and sheet that I use with each of my tortoises each month... it allows me to establish a baseline and to track their health over time.



My feeling is that if your tort is eating and pooping and active, has bright eyes and seems to be breathing well, that you can establish a baseline and track their health more effectively than a trip to the vet can.

If there's an acute problem or you note a downwards trend in your tort over a few measurements, loss of weight or consistent troubling symptoms (like sunken eyes or whistling breath or not eating or not moving) then it seems like a good time to take them to the vet.

Just my two cents, opinions will vary.

Jamie

 

[Yvonne G]

Hello from OKC!
Do you still have your tort and vet? Who and would you reccomend them? We got a baby redfoot last summer and have been looking for a vet to establish care.
Slim pickings in our metro.

The original poster hasn't been back to the forum since 2015. And I don't think we ever knew where in the world they are. Sorry.

 

[Fatnhappy]

I have a health checklist and sheet that I use with each of my tortoises each month... it allows me to establish a baseline and to track their health over time.

View attachment 328826

My feeling is that if your tort is eating and pooping and active, has bright eyes and seems to be breathing well, that you can establish a baseline and track their health more effectively than a trip to the vet can.

If there's an acute problem or you note a downwards trend in your tort over a few measurements, loss of weight or consistent troubling symptoms (like sunken eyes or whistling breath or not eating or not moving) then it seems like a good time to take them to the vet.

Just my two cents, opinions will vary.

Jamie

Thank you