respiratory infection

[phoebes15]

Hi my name is Phoebe and i have a tortoises called Rio. He is a Hermann's tortoises and he is one and a bit. All his housing is perfect and in the right temp. So is the humidity. I am also struggling to get him to eat and if he does its has about a tea spoon. I also give him ccf and water in syringe. The most he takes is about 4ml but most of the time he takes about 4.75ml.

Here are all his symptoms:

One: Lack of appetite.

Two: Open-mouthed breathing

Three: Bubble's of mucus.

Four: Fully extend neck.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

When fighting a respiratory infection, it is recommended to rise the temperatures above the usual level, with an ambient temperature of 85F day and night.

Daily soaks are also recomended, sometimes soaks in baby carrot food (100% carrot), 50% water and 50% baby food will help the tortoise soak up some extra nutrients.

Do you have the possibility to take him to the vet? If the infection is bacterial, antibiotics might be necessary to resolve it.

 

[wellington]

What exactly are your perfect temps?
As stated above, raise the temps.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

May we ask for a re fresh on how he’s actually kept now? Did you manage to make the needed changes that were recommended?

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What’s your indoor uv type?
How’s humidity reading?
What kind of substrate?
Is it a closed chamber?

A photo of the set up would be wonderful! If you’re willing to share!

 

[phoebes15]

He is going today thanks for the help.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Don't accept any vitamin shots.

 

[phoebes15]

What exactly are your perfect temps?
As stated above, raise the temps.

30c and i will thanks.

 

[phoebes15]

May we ask for a re fresh on how he’s actually kept now? Did you manage to make the needed changes that were recommended?

Yes i have made a lot of changes and the temp is 30 to 31c. The night drop is about 23c and the humidity 50 to 70 % depending on the time of day because i mist the Viv in the mornings. I use soil and wood chips. His Viv as 6f by 3 by 3f and i made it from no toxic silicone. The wood is also non toxic and i use. I have a 75w basking bulb on one side and on the warmer side is a 100w bulb. The uvb bulb is 25w and its on the warm end of his viv.

 

[COmtnLady]

You said you are forcing water into his mouth with a syringe?!!!! There should be no need for that. If you are concerned about hydration, put him into a warm soak a couple times per day, for a half hour or more, every day until you aren't worried about hydration. (Watch closely while soaking, since the water is so very shallow it cools off fast and an ill tort needs it to be comfortably and consistently warm,) Using a syringe for water could make his respiratory problems worse by forcing water into his lungs.

What are you feeding him? Each kind of tortoise has different needs depending on where the species evolved. For example - Red Foots eat fruit, for up to about 40% of their diet, but almost every other type of tortoise can't digest fruit so its bad for them to eat fruit at all. Conversely, many other kinds of torts eat grasses, but if you try to feed grass to a Red Foot they can't eat it properly like a Sulcata can.

The temps should stay about the same 24/7 until he's feeling better. Somewhere above you say it drops overnight, adjust it so that that doesn't happen. you'll need to have a top on the habitat to keep the heat in.


What was the result of your Vet visit? In detail, not generalities, please.
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[phoebes15]

Its the only way he will take any water is in a syringe and he has been like this since Monday. But i can't get him to eat much and he is losing weight. So i had no option but to put him on vetark ccf and he has half a scoop of that with 7ml water. I give him this 2 times a day and i have turned the temp up in his viv. He has a crackle , weasing , extended neck and lack of appetite. But the people that live with me are saying he is ok. But i don't think he is but my teacher has a tortoises and hers makes the same noises. when he does eat he has berries , kale , peppers , fresh weeds , spinach , cucumber and bok choy. My mum and dad said no because they say he is ok because my teacher has one and she said he is ok but he is not. so no vet trip so far. I am trying daily to get them to say yes but no look so far. They said that the heat lamp could set on fire so there no allowed to be on all night. I am trying my best but there's only so much i can do if they wont let me take him to the vet. what do i do and does anyone have any tips. PLEASE HELP with any tip or info thanks.

I am lost on what to do. I just want my little man better.

 

[wellington]

30c and i will thanks.

30c is not perfect temps.
Basking should be 95-100F
All over day temps should be 80F
Night temps 70F
Get temps corrected ASAP
Do not force water into its mouth, you could kill him or make him very sick if done wrong
The bulbs are not correct. Replace the coil one with a straight tube flourescent for uvb. The other one with an incandescent flood bulb not Spot bulb
Ceramic heat emitter should be used for night temps and any extra day heat needed.

 

[wellington]

He has been kept at too cold of temps. You have to get the temps up. They can't process their food if they can't bask under proper temps and if kept too cold.
Soak him daily in warm water with baby food carrots or squash and piedialyte.
Tell your friends, no he's not alright. Tell your teacher her tortoise should not be fed berries or any fruit.

 

[wellington]

And until he gets better, keep night temps at 75 and day temps at 80 to 85

 

[phoebes15]

I

30c is not perfect temps. oh ok i will look into better bulbs and i have turned up the heat so it goes to 35c/ 95f. Its hard to keep him warm with living in the uk but i will take all your tips and start using. from today.

 

[wellington]

I

I live in Chicago where I get cold snowy winters. It's not as hard as it seems if you have the right stuff.
The proper bulbs and heat sources will make it easier. You can also put or build a greenhouse type top over it to help keep heat in if needed.
Sometimes more than one ceramic heat emitter is needed.

 

[phoebes15]

I live in Chicago where I get cold snowy winters. It's not as hard as it seems if you have the right stuff.
The proper bulbs and heat sources will make it easier. You can also put or build a greenhouse type top over it to help keep heat in if needed.
Sometimes more than one ceramic heat emitter is needed.

I will thanks

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yes i have made a lot of changes and the temp is 30 to 31c. The night drop is about 23c and the humidity 50 to 70 % depending on the time of day because i mist the Viv in the mornings. I use soil and wood chips. His Viv as 6f by 3 by 3f and i made it from no toxic silicone. The wood is also non toxic and i use. I have a 75w basking bulb on one side and on the warmer side is a 100w bulb. The uvb bulb is 25w and its on the warm end of his viv.

Thanks for the reply, as others have said temps and lighting needs fixing, and I’d then tackle the humidity and get it higher, babies definitely benefit from that as it’s aids in smoother growth during this life stage. The lukewarm pour method tends to be more effective than misting. If you have a look through some of your other threads there’s some useful links that were addedalso I believe I sent you some product links a while ago as we’re both from the uk? If you click on the envelope on the top of the page and click ‘show all conversations’ it should come up

Oh for the soil and wood chips, what are they exactly? Cause I wouldn’t use top soil or reptisoil, and the only bark I’d recommend is orchid bark or forest flood

 

[COmtnLady]

If you are concerned about hydration, put him into a warm soak a couple times per day, for a half hour or more, every day until you aren't worried about hydration. (Watch closely while soaking, since the water is so very shallow it cools off fast and an ill tort needs it to be comfortably and consistently warm,) Using a syringe for water could make his respiratory problems worse by forcing water into his lungs.

YOU have control over soaking him. If you can't get the baby food (carrots or squash) you at least can get comfy warm water for him to soak in for a half hour or more EVERY DAY, two times a day is even better.

NO BERRIES. NO FRUIT.

Is the top of your "perfect" enclosure closed? Does it have a lid or built on roof/ceiling? It sounds like you have an open top. If it is closed the heat and humidity your tortoise DESPERATELY NEEDS will be kept inside where the tortoise lives more easily. To stand there and say 'but I live in GB' is NOT acceptable. I live high in the mountains, thirty miles from "world class skiing" , it is colder here than where you are, but I keep my tortoise in the KIND OF HABITAT SHE NEEDS.
Show us a picture of the set-up you keep your Tort in.

Lets try an example. You are a human that needs to be kept warm, sheltered, and fed. Some Being takes you on as a pet. You have no control over anything anymore. They put you in an enclosure that is 10C because that it the temp they are comfortable in, you need 22C to be healthy. They know you need clothes, so they give you a tee-shirt and shorts like they saw in a picture in a book. The bed they provided has a sheet on it, but they don't know it needs a blanket or more, too. They feed you french fries/chips, and peanut butter sandwiches once per day. There is not any sort of ceiling on the room where you are kept, but there are a couple searingly bright lights shining down onto you, which make your eyes hurt, but are too high up to affect any increase in heat for your room. It doesn't take too long until you start feeling kind of ill, you're getting a cold. You try to sleep it off but the keeper decides you aren't moving around enough, plus you didn't eat the cold french fries a couple days in a row, so the keeper is picking you up more often and trying to force you to eat. Pretty soon your cold is getting worse (is to pneumonia???) and you really just need to sleep. But your keeper is worried so they start holding a glass full of something to your face and tipping it. It goes all down your front (making you even colder) and up your nose (making you choke and cough - and cause your lungs more stress). They really are just trying to be helpful. You need warmer, and time to heal, some sunshine, and a roof to keep what little heat you can keep in, in, and different food, maybe a bath more often. But their intentions are good.

The keepers have read a lot and seen a few pictures of how to take care of a human, so they think this set-up is perfect.



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[TammyJ]

Hi my name is Phoebe and i have a tortoises called Rio. He is a Hermann's tortoises and he is one and a bit. All his housing is perfect and in the right temp. So is the humidity. I am also struggling to get him to eat and if he does its has about a tea spoon. I also give him ccf and water in syringe. The most he takes is about 4ml but most of the time he takes about 4.75ml.

Here are all his symptoms:

One: Lack of appetite.

Two: Open-mouthed breathing

Three: Bubble's of mucus.

Four: Fully extend neck.

Hi and thanks for checking in with us re your tortoise Rio. You might feel a bit overwhelmed by all the advice (good advice by experienced people here!) and worried about Rio. To me, it seems that if there is a reputable reptile vet available to you, then you should pay them a visit in case Rio needs antibiotics. However, if this is not an option for you, then all the advice given should be followed as quickly as possible!

 

[COmtnLady]

1. Warm him up.
(I would keep him at 26C or a little warmer 24/7 until he is three or so years old. He's still a baby! And now he is a sick baby because he's been too cold for too long.)

2. STOP the syringe method. Soak him.
a. He will absorb and drink that water during a soak. If the soak water has pureed carrots in it, he will also get some nutrition (until he's warm he CAN'T digest his food).
What is a Soak? - Warm water (run it on the inside of your wrist to see if it feels too hot or cold), as deep as up to where the top and bottom of his shell meet. For at least a half hour. Do not let him or the water cool off.
2b. Has he pooped when you have soaked him in the last couple weeks? That is as important as feeding, and many torts like to poop in the warm water.

3. Read the Care Sheets you have already been given. It's a lot to read, but you will find answers in them. What SHOULD Hermans be given as food? Since you have been feeding berries, which are not good for him, you really need to read that Care sheet especially.



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