RedFoot is wheezing

[betweenshells]

Hi everyone, I know it’s been a while. Rojita finished her course of antibiotics last Thursday! I noticed she still yawns frequently, like once or twice every hour. Last night she was rubbing her eyes a lot. She also smacks her lips when she’s moving around the enclosure. Still making that clicking noise when placed outside. Currently her temps are in the 80s, from 86-89. Humidity is 70%. Should I be worried? Otherwise is very alert and eating.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi everyone, I know it’s been a while. Rojita finished her course of antibiotics last Thursday! I noticed she still yawns frequently, like once or twice every hour. Last night she was rubbing her eyes a lot. She also smacks her lips when she’s moving around the enclosure. Still making that clicking noise when placed outside. Currently her temps are in the 80s, from 86-89. Humidity is 70%. Should I be worried? Otherwise is very alert and eating.

I often see my redfoot "clicking" when she's stressed or excited. "Smacking lips" is how they click. As I can tell it's pretty common for redfoots (but for Testudo species it's usually a sign of respiratory infection). Yawning once or twice an hour - can't tell for sure.

I would not worry but my experience is very limited. Maybe @Anyfoot or @ZEROPILOT can tell if what you see is a normal behaviour.

 

[betweenshells]

Just adding some pics of her today.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Just adding some pics of her today.

She's a beauty, no doubt! The only potential concern are bubbles in the eye. This sometimes happen when it's too hot or too dry.

If she constantly has these bubbles and only in one eye this may hint at some issues in nasal passage or sinuses. You can get the tiniest syringe, break needle at the base and use clean cool boiled water to flush nare for 3-4 days (or get a sterile saline solution in a squeezeable flask from a pharmacy). If issue persists but she's otherwise healthy and active - you may let it be or check with the vet (he can run some tests or prescribe antibacterial drops).

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

She's a beauty, no doubt! The only potential concern are bubbles in the eye. This sometimes happen when it's too hot or too dry.

If she constantly has these bubbles and only in one eye this may hint at some issues in nasal passage or sinuses. You can get the tiniest syringe, break needle at the base and use clean cool boiled water to flush nare for 3-4 days (or get a sterile saline solution in a squeezeable flask from a pharmacy). If issue persists but she's otherwise healthy and active - you may let it be or check with the vet (he can run some tests or prescribe antibacterial drops).

Didn’t notice those bubbles! Good catch! Hopefully it’s just one of those things

 

[betweenshells]

She's a beauty, no doubt! The only potential concern are bubbles in the eye. This sometimes happen when it's too hot or too dry.

If she constantly has these bubbles and only in one eye this may hint at some issues in nasal passage or sinuses. You can get the tiniest syringe, break needle at the base and use clean cool boiled water to flush nare for 3-4 days (or get a sterile saline solution in a squeezeable flask from a pharmacy). If issue persists but she's otherwise healthy and active - you may let it be or check with the vet (he can run some tests or prescribe antibacterial drops).

Yes these bubbles is what I was wondering about! I think she could have sinuses or some issue with her nasal passage bc she yawns often. I’ll keep an eye on it and try to flush it out.

 

[betweenshells]

hey yall just coming back to share Rojita has had bubbles in her mouth this morning. She's still pretty active but the clicking noise outside hasn't stopped, she yawns semi frequently, has had those small bubbles in her eyes as well as smacks her lips. I made another appointment for her this coming friday and reached out to the vet already. I'm truly at a loss.

 

[betweenshells]

Here’s a pic

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I have a feeling, that bubbles in the eyes and mouth can be related to constant high temperature, outside their preferred range. I would dial down temperature a bit (so the lowest is 82F).

Active tortoise with a good appetite doesn't seem sick to me. I would ask @cooky_luvs, @Anyfoot and @rfr if they have seen something similar among their redfoots or what's the best to do here and how long their tortoises recovered from RI if there were cases.

 

[betweenshells]

Okay so you suggest setting thermostat to 82?

 

[betweenshells]

She does have a reduced appetite. She eats her pellets, used to munch down on her whole salad. Now she won’t eat greens or veggies. Had to make a mango purée to get her to eat greens

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’m hoping those tagged can shed some potential light here

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

She does have a reduced appetite. She eats her pellets, used to munch down on her whole salad. Now she won’t eat greens or veggies. Had to make a mango purée to get her to eat greens

Reduced appetite is not good. However, redfoots can go on strike sometimes (they have some seasonal food preferences and fruit/protein lower their appetite for a few days).

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Okay so you suggest setting thermostat to 82?

If the probe is in the coldest spot, then yes. If the probe is somewhere around the heaters - then you can set a thermostat 2-6F lower than now.

 

[betweenshells]

If the probe is in the coldest spot, then yes. If the probe is somewhere around the heaters - then you can set a thermostat 2-6F lower than now.

Okay, hoping I understand. I lowered temps, I have two ceramic heaters in there. One side set to 86 with probe right next to it and the other side set to 82 with probe right next to it. How’s that? She definitely eats her pellets

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Okay, hoping I understand. I lowered temps, I have two ceramic heaters in there. One side set to 86 with probe right next to it and the other side set to 82 with probe right next to it. How’s that? She definitely eats her pellets

Sounds perfect to me.

If bubbles in mouth and eyes will go away I would not be very concerned about lessened appetite.

 

[betweenshells]

I haven’t seen bubbles in her mouth that I’ve noticed at least. She has some discharge in her eyes. Temps have been lower. Warmer side is 86, other side is 80.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I haven’t seen bubbles in her mouth that I’ve noticed at least. She has some discharge in her eyes. Temps have been lower. Warmer side is 86, other side is 80.

Sounds promising. Please, keep us updated!

 

[betweenshells]

hi everyone just updating, Rojita is still active and eating. the vet is suggesting a longer course of antibiotics when I sent her the same image I posted on here. Though she said it could also be an environmental irritation (heat)... Shes still yawning multiple times a day and has watery eyes and rubs her eyes every now and again. No more bubbles as of yet. What do folks think? The vet just sent me these three options. I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to take her in, maybe make an appointment for next week to see how she continues. These are the options I was given:

1) come in for exam and further discussion
2) restart antibiotics
3) continue to monitor and if concerned reconsider option 1 or 2.

 

[betweenshells]

Here’s a pic of her yesterday when I came home from work