Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
The poop photo bomb in this pics always makes me chuckle, bless her
RedFoot is wheezing
- Thread starter betweenshells
- Start date
and she doesn't fit into that hide anymore...lolThe poop photo bomb in this pics always makes me chuckle, bless her
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
She’s so gorgeous!
betweenshells
Active Member
She’s wheezing thru nose. Yawns every now and again but not as much as before. That’s a beautiful red foot you have!! And ok will cover the mesh top tonight after work. Her poops loook a lot more firm now, mixing collards dandelions red leaf papaya skin and pellets now. She’s had four antibiotic shots, she has some mucus and yesterday had bubbles on her mouth. She’s still very active, this morning she keeps walking around her enclosure. This week will be warm and get to 82 degrees outside. It’s also humid, do folks think I can put her outside? Will that help her recovery?
I would allow her to go outside - fresh air, sunlight and moderate exercise are good. But only if you'll keep an eye on her and won't let her to cool down too much (this, probably, involves running after her with a temperature gun
). 82F is a good temperature for RFs.As soon as you'll cover the mesh - humidity and temperature will be much more stable. You are lucky to have all heating and lightning under the lid, making cover should be pretty easy.
Open top affects temperatures and humidity (e.g. temperature will drop after spraying the enclosure etc.) While this won't make her to recover in 2 days instead of 2 weeks, better environment parameters are beneficial.
betweenshells
Active Member
Covered the enclosure with foil and the humidity and temps in there are great!! It’s stated at 86% humidity for a long time now without dropping, temps are a little high 88 right now. Hoping it drops a couple degrees before I go to bed. But it feels like a warm humid pocket in there and she seems so happy. Hoping this really supports her recovery!
NO! Outside is not good while she is still ill. Get the top closed, keep her in mid-80%s humidity and mid 80sF or higher temps. Red Foots evolved in the equatorial regions of South America. She NEEDS Jungle temps and humidity 24/7. She could easily be having respiratory problems because you have not closed the top tightly. Ventilation is NOT a factor. Close it up tight to keep the heat and humidity in.
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I just found the post above (#87). 88F is good, better than the cold way you have been keeping her enclosure. Giver her time. Now that you finally have closed the top she may get over the wheezing. It also may take a long time because of how long she was cold and dry.
Did you seal around the lights? Crimp foil to the edges so there isn't any place around the lampshades/bells for air to funnel through.
It is important to know where the species of tortoise came from and for you to try to mimic that place. With red foots, unless you are in south Florida or some other place that is almost like Northern South America, it will be in her best interest to be inside, in a closed habitat, with the specifics of temp and humidity that she needs. Texas is too dry for her to be out more than a couple hours per day every once in a while. She will never be able to "live" outside the way another species could.
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betweenshells
Active Member
hi yall, just updating. Rojita has two shots left, one tomorrow and one on Monday. I will be making a follow-up appt with her vet as soon as there's availability. She's still wheezing, I don't think it's what it used to be but she still is. She also makes a bit of a clicky noise every now and again. She's been in her now fully enclosed chamber, with humidity levels consistently at 75-90% and a temp of 84-88.
If she's clicking while eating or when being disturbed and alert - these clicks could be normal. But I can't explain clear enough how to tell "conversational" clicks from respiratory infection clicking.
Humidity and temperature looks good.
betweenshells
Active Member
She’s still moving around in her enclosure and not sleeping… why could that be?
If it's dark and she's moving around - she seeks for a safe place with comfortable temperature. Mine sometimes does this after lights went out for 10-15 minutes. Sometimes she ends up sleeping in the water dish.
I've looked at the enclosure photo: temperature/humidity sensor is placed in the middle of the wall, I would place it lower - at tortoise shell level, 1-2 inches above substrate. Readings can be very different there. And there are no hides (places to hide under). However, given Rojita and enclosure size it's not easy to add one. A few ideas: bury halved plant pot in substrate (so she can stay under or walk over it) or hang a fern in the corner.
I've looked at the enclosure photo: temperature/humidity sensor is placed in the middle of the wall, I would place it lower - at tortoise shell level, 1-2 inches above substrate. Readings can be very different there. And there are no hides (places to hide under). However, given Rojita and enclosure size it's not easy to add one. A few ideas: bury halved plant pot in substrate (so she can stay under or walk over it) or hang a fern in the corner.
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betweenshells
Active Member
Awesome, I’m gonna add some hides today. Taking her to the vet for her shot this afternoon and already made a follow up appointment for next Friday. Her last shot will be Monday. This morning she won’t stop pacing. I can’t tell if that’s a sign that she’s feeling better and more active or that she is stressed.
betweenshells
Active Member
I’m really considering rehoming her. I don’t think I can give her what she needs to live a more fulfilling life. She came into my life in a very unplanned way and I knew if she stayed where she was that she might have not made it this far but maybe it’s time for her to move on to something even better. If anyone has tips for how to do this in the most ethical way please let me know!
You can make a post in Adoptions section on the forum (there are some "flippers", though - so look at member's profile, ask questions)
But why do you think you can't give her what she needs? You mentioned a big outdoor space in the yard where she can stay most time of the year... If can't expand the indoors enclosure, perhaps you can build her a heated nightbox outside and, optionally, a greenhouse.
Yet, I totally understand if you don't want a lifetime commitment. You still have done a great job of caring for Rojita!
But why do you think you can't give her what she needs? You mentioned a big outdoor space in the yard where she can stay most time of the year... If can't expand the indoors enclosure, perhaps you can build her a heated nightbox outside and, optionally, a greenhouse.
Yet, I totally understand if you don't want a lifetime commitment. You still have done a great job of caring for Rojita!
betweenshells
Active Member
Rojita finished her antibiotics course and has a follow up appointment this upcoming Friday. She had stopped wheezing but I feel like I hear a faint wheeze back again. She's still active for a lot of the day with periods of rest throughout. Eating is consistent and the same. She's yawned a few times today. I was a work for most of the day but before I left for work, she yawned and since I've been back home she's yawned twice. I soaked her and when I placed her back, she yawned. About 45min later, she stopped pacing around and while resting, yawned again. Is it normal for red foots to yawn this often or could it still be a sign that she's ill?
I'm thinking I'll have the vet run some bloodwork when I go by on Friday. The reason I want to potentially rehome her is because I've been so overwhelmed with her falling ill. I worry I can't provide the appropriate indoor space for her during the winters and that her sickness will become worse.
I'm thinking I'll have the vet run some bloodwork when I go by on Friday. The reason I want to potentially rehome her is because I've been so overwhelmed with her falling ill. I worry I can't provide the appropriate indoor space for her during the winters and that her sickness will become worse.
Anastasia 22
Well-Known Member
Hello!
Rojita is beautiful! And you've done a lot for her! You can make it happen! You can give her a good life! You know your tortoise like anyone else. And you care!
I agree that winters are suck in Texas. But they don't last for 6 months! Another cold week and we'll be having spring! Don't give up!
Rojita is beautiful! And you've done a lot for her! You can make it happen! You can give her a good life! You know your tortoise like anyone else. And you care!
I agree that winters are suck in Texas. But they don't last for 6 months! Another cold week and we'll be having spring! Don't give up!
betweenshells
Active Member
She’s just sick and I’m worried she won’t get better. It’s been so cold this week and I’m struggling to keep her temps up.
Anastasia 22
Well-Known Member
I know... I am not far from Austin.
I haven't read the whole thread but I am pretty sure that guys have already recommended the good CHEs...CHEs help a lot now with keeping right temperature for Redfoots.
betweenshells
Active Member
Yeah I have two on in there right now. Keeping temps up as much as I can but it got cold out of nowhere here. It was in the 80s last Saturday. When it’s warm, she only needs one. This morning her enclosure was lower than ideal. 78 degrees and now she’s wheezing, yawning all over again. I love her so much but I would hate for this to get worse for her.
