Reading An X-Ray - Possible CT Scan Needed

[ReptileMommax3]

Updated With X-Ray Images

My tortoise (5 yrs old, approximately) started straining to poop back in November. I got them checked, and an X-Ray showed a 'mineral mass' in their GI tract. We started at-home therapy and IV fluids. Long story short, they showed improvement with their follow-up, we did more of the same, and the next X-Ray looked even better. They are pooping normally again, their appetite is great, and they seem happy. The mystery object (pieces of a sleeping bag) they ate came through in a bath. But there is still a 'haze' on the film, and the vet said she cannot tell if there is still a slight block, or something in their bladder. She is concerned if there is still something in there, it could become quite serious. She wants to do a CT scan to see better, but there's more risk to that. If they can't see enough, they have to re-run it with contrast, which of course means expensive. I have a good history with this office; I never feel pressured into unnecessary testing or drugs, they are very friendly there, my kids love them, they break down the bill thoroughly, etc. I don't think she is pushing something my kid doesn't need, but at the same time...define 'need'. Is a little haze normal? They seem fine from the outside, the X-Rays have improved, and their fecal test shows a well-balanced digestive system. So my question is: Better safe than sorry and do the CT scan? Or would you wait, stick with X-Rays for now, and trust their body to do what it needs to do?

P.S. They live outside, with adequate shelter and shade, heat in the winter. Their diet is good, appetite is fantastic, they no longer suffer from the malnutrition they had when they came to me. They have grass and hay and a stretch of rock, lots of space. The sleeping bag they got ahold of has, of course, been disposed of, and my housemates have been alerted so this doesn't happen again.

 

[zovick]

Updated With X-Ray Images

My tortoise (5 yrs old, approximately) started straining to poop back in November. I got them checked, and an X-Ray showed a 'mineral mass' in their GI tract. We started at-home therapy and IV fluids. Long story short, they showed improvement with their follow-up, we did more of the same, and the next X-Ray looked even better. They are pooping normally again, their appetite is great, and they seem happy. The mystery object (pieces of a sleeping bag) they ate came through in a bath. But there is still a 'haze' on the film, and the vet said she cannot tell if there is still a slight block, or something in their bladder. She is concerned if there is still something in there, it could become quite serious. She wants to do a CT scan to see better, but there's more risk to that. If they can't see enough, they have to re-run it with contrast, which of course means expensive. I have a good history with this office; I never feel pressured into unnecessary testing or drugs, they are very friendly there, my kids love them, they break down the bill thoroughly, etc. I don't think she is pushing something my kid doesn't need, but at the same time...define 'need'. Is a little haze normal? They seem fine from the outside, the X-Rays have improved, and their fecal test shows a well-balanced digestive system. So my question is: Better safe than sorry and do the CT scan? Or would you wait, stick with X-Rays for now, and trust their body to do what it needs to do?

P.S. They live outside, with adequate shelter and shade, heat in the winter. Their diet is good, appetite is fantastic, they no longer suffer from the malnutrition they had when they came to me. They have grass and hay and a stretch of rock, lots of space. The sleeping bag they got ahold of has, of course, been disposed of, and my housemates have been alerted so this doesn't happen again.

To me, it appears that the tortoise is all right looking at the X-rays. I would not do any more treatment unless it starts acting "off", such as losing its appetite, not walking around, becoming lethargic, sleeping all the time, etc.

Admittedly, I am a dentist, not a vet, but I have seen a fair number of tortoise X-rays in my 60+ years of keeping tortoises plus being affiliated with the Bronx Zoo Reptile Department for 30 years.

Personally, I would just leave well enough alone and stop worrying unless the tortoise begins acting strangely as noted above.

 

[ReptileMommax3]

To me, it appears that the tortoise is all right looking at the X-rays. I would not do any more treatment unless it starts acting "off", such as losing its appetite, not walking around, becoming lethargic, sleeping all the time, etc.

Admittedly, I am a dentist, not a vet, but I have seen a fair number of tortoise X-rays in my 60+ years of keeping tortoises plus being affiliated with the Bronx Zoo Reptile Department for 30 years.

Personally, I would just leave well enough alone and stop worrying unless the tortoise begins acting strangely as noted above.

Thank you for your feedback. My only concern is if there is still something in there, or in the bladder, and it becomes much more serious later. That said, I have severe anxiety, so sometimes I can't tell if I'm being logical or paranoid.

 

[COmtnLady]

We all have severe anxiety when we have sick loved one, and its aggravated if we don't have control over whatever the problem is. You did well already, now its ok to wait and allow the healing to finish. Most tortoises don't like too much messing about, it stresses them worse than the problem (if there is a problem).

I agree with everything Zovik just said. This doesn't look bad enough to do anything excessive about (eg: no CT Scan).
There is a little something on the right side, BUT none of it looks too large to pass, and it could be last night's dinner working its way through.

You said the vet had you start "at-home therapy" before - what specifically was it?

Did they have you feed things like cucumber and zucchini? Those have a lot of fiber and water; they tend to encourage evacuation of bowels.

Another thing you might try (this is a solution I learned from Yvonne), but you will have to watch closely in case your tortoise sinks or tips over - make the warm water of the soak deep enough that the tortoise can't easily touch the bottom. They get a little freaked out and thrash, but that also encourages stuff to move through the intestinal tract. It kind of massages their insides. You don't want to have it deep like that for the entire soak, but you do want the climbing/swimming motions for at least thirty minutes - and it would be kind to have a few quiet minutes of resting on the bottom of a shallow warm soak at the end.

Tell us the story about the sleeping bag. How did the tortoise get pieces of it? I can understand a puppy chewing a hole in one, but torts just don't seem like they'd be interested in fabric... and with no teeth, how'd there be pieces? It might help others know how not to do that with theirs.

You are being a good TortoiseMamma! Keep up the good work.



..

 

[ReptileMommax3]

We all have severe anxiety when we have sick loved one, and its aggravated if we don't have control over whatever the problem is. You did well already, now its ok to wait and allow the healing to finish. Most tortoises don't like too much messing about, it stresses them worse than the problem (if there is a problem).

I agree with everything Zovik just said. This doesn't look bad enough to do anything excessive about (eg: no CT Scan).
There is a little something on the right side, BUT none of it looks too large to pass, and it could be last night's dinner working its way through.

You said the vet had you start "at-home therapy" before - what specifically was it?

Did they have you feed things like cucumber and zucchini? Those have a lot of fiber and water; they tend to encourage evacuation of bowels.

Another thing you might try (this is a solution I learned from Yvonne), but you will have to watch closely in case your tortoise sinks or tips over - make the warm water of the soak deep enough that the tortoise can't easily touch the bottom. They get a little freaked out and thrash, but that also encourages stuff to move through the intestinal tract. It kind of massages their insides. You don't want to have it deep like that for the entire soak, but you do want the climbing/swimming motions for at least thirty minutes - and it would be kind to have a few quiet minutes of resting on the bottom of a shallow warm soak at the end.

Tell us the story about the sleeping bag. How did the tortoise get pieces of it? I can understand a puppy chewing a hole in one, but torts just don't seem like they'd be interested in fabric... and with no teeth, how'd there be pieces? It might help others know how not to do that with theirs.

You are being a good TortoiseMamma! Keep up the good work.



..

The at-home therapy we were told to do was warm soaks, vibration (car ride, 20 minutes on the dryer, etc), and the IV fluids. We're down to soaking once a week, even though they are pooping on their own now, just to keep them hydrated.
They love cucumber, but they haven't had any this week, just lots of greens. Luckily, it's cheap! This kid's appetite now that the have hit puberty is insane!
As for the sleeping bag, let me tell you, I was as surprised as anyone. Why would they want to eat that?? Beats me! I knew they had access, but I didn't think they would try to eat it. After realizing they must have eaten it, I inspected the bag and found the hole they'd torn into it. The how is a mystery; I have no outside cameras, although now I wish I did. The eternal dilemma of how toddlers manage anything.... What I have learned is don't risk it. Fabric doesn't sound yummy, but hey, kids will be kids. These things are tucked in bins now, and I will make sure to watch the grass for any particles of anything inedible that blows in. I rarely worry about my teen pulling such a stunt, but my youngest is adventurous and will put just about anything in their mouth once. Or twice.

 

[COmtnLady]

There is almost no such thing as too much soaking. Adults can be soaked as little as three times per week, but every-other-day is better, and it doesn't hurt to soak evey day. I'd do every day for a couple weeks after one being in need of a Vet. then drop back to every-other-day. Soaking is a good thing.











Just for comparison/FYI - here is an x-ray of a side-view. It is much better than the side-view they took of yours... much clearer. :

 

[ReptileMommax3]

There is almost no such thing as too much soaking. Adults can be soaked as little as three times per week, but every-other-day is better, and it doesn't hurt to soak evey day. I'd do every day for a couple weeks after one being in need of a Vet. then drop back to every-other-day. Soaking is a good thing.











Just for comparison/FYI - here is an x-ray of a side-view. It is much better than the side-view they took of yours... much clearer. :

Oh wow, that does look very different. We will keep up the soaks, for sure, especially now that it is getting hot where we live. I'll stock up on cucumber, too.