Runny Nose

[volcom6981]

Figured i would put this hear since this is a Leopard Tort. Anyways about 2 weeks ago, i got a just about 2 year old Leopard from somebody who has a ton of torts, but was looking to give some of the young ones away. When i brought i the new guy home i noticed his nose looked wet, so i decided to up the t-stat on the CHE to about 85 degrees. I dont think i want to take him to the vet yet, he is very active, and eats like a pig (would eat all day if i kept feeding him). Sometimes when im near by or with my other torts i can hear him breath, but sometimes i dont even notice. I would love to put him outside for awhile, but here in PA its getting alittle colder right now, so dont think thats a good idea. Anyways i have a couple questions:

1. Has anybody every used a saline solution to flush out the nose of there torts? I wasnt sure if it was a good idea or not, should i wipe the nose or just leave him alone??

2. His enclosure is 85 degrees all the time, and a basking area of 100-105, with a humidity of 50%. Is the humidity ok? Should i spray down the enclousre to keep it moist, or is 2 years old ok to be kept dry? He is on Cypress Mulch, with some Burmuda Grass thrown in if he wanted to eat it.

3. For now im soaking him everyday, just to see if that helps out some as well, for about 30 minutes.

So anyways just seeing if there was something i can do other then taking him to the vet. My guess is he had it alittle bit when the lady i got him from brought him in for the winter time, but didnt notice. I think it might have gotten alittle worse, because of stress moving to a new home. What do you guys think?

 

[TortieLuver]

You have raised the heat, so that's good. He saline solution is fine to use. What color is it... Clear or discolored? Do you notice him mouth breathing. Sometimes it's an ri that won't go away without antibiotics and other times there's another cause such as stress, colder temps, something lodged in the nose. Glad to hear he's eating well and active. If you do need to go to a vet, make sure it's a herp vet who specializes in torts.

 

[mainey34]

Bumping the temps and warm soaks are good to do. Just make sure he is still eating. Keep an eye on him and he should get better..

 

[volcom6981]

You have raised the heat, so that's good. He saline solution is fine to use. What color is it... Clear or discolored? Do you notice him mouth breathing. Sometimes it's an ri that won't go away without antibiotics and other times there's another cause such as stress, colder temps, something lodged in the nose. Glad to hear he's eating well and active. If you do need to go to a vet, make sure it's a herp vet who specializes in torts.

Thanks, so far in not noticing discolored. His eyes are clear, and no not really noticing any mouth breathing at all. Every now and I hear him breath so that's when I look, and the nose looks wet, but it always looks like its just the left nostril that is stuffed. Ill wipe that side and then it's clear again, then I won't hear him for awhile till he's asleep.

Is the humidity ok? He's just about 2 so just wondering if I should be spraying his enclosure to raise it, or just keep it dry? This is not my only tort, but is my fist leopard, and loving it!

 

[TortieLuver]

Glad to hear it's clear and everything else is fine. I would continue what you are doing and keep you eye on him. Soaks are great but I wouldn't at this loin keep his enclosure too wet or do many sprays until you notice a clearing. Do you have a water dish in your setup? That can help with humidity without getting the enclosure really wet. Cypress mulch is good

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't usually worry about bubbles or wet face unless the discharge turns thick and colored and the tortoise stops eating. But one thing for you to keep in mind is that some (SOME, not all) leopard tortoises are allergic to Baytril, so if you do go to the vet and he wants to try an antibiotic on the tortoise, ask for something other than Baytril.

 

[volcom6981]

I don't usually worry about bubbles or wet face unless the discharge turns thick and colored and the tortoise stops eating. But one thing for you to keep in mind is that some (SOME, not all) leopard tortoises are allergic to Baytril, so if you do go to the vet and he wants to try an antibiotic on the tortoise, ask for something other than Baytril.

Yea I heard that as well, it will be my last resort to go there. Right now with him eating great, and very active ill just keep him warm. My question is though is 50% humidity ok? Also I know with hatchlings to keep them humid, would I do the same with a 2 year old, spraying the enclosure things like that? It's to cold here right now, but he'll be outside when it warms up.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hot and wet is fine, but cold and wet is a killer. So the humidity is quite ok as long as he doesn't get cold.

 

[TortieLuver]

Yes the 50% is fine...just don't let him get cold.

 

[volcom6981]

Hot and wet is fine, but cold and wet is a killer. So the humidity is quite ok as long as he doesn't get cold.

Ok nice it's 85 through out his enclosure at night as well. Thanks everyone.

 

[volcom6981]

So things have not really gotten any better so far, not sure how long it takes though. He is still eating like a pig, and is very active, so that's a good sign. However once a day at least I notice his nostril is clogged up. I flush it with some saline, but I feel as though I'm just stressing him out more then anything. Am I doing the right thing by flushing the nostrils, am supposed to leave them alone? Well not really sure what else to do or what it is, but sounds like a vet trip might be needed.

 

[volcom6981]

Ok need some advice now, I need to decide to take him to the vets or not. So he is still eating great, but he is still so stuffed up. I have been shooting salene at his nose, because sometimes his nostrils is blocked up. Not sure if that is the right thing to do? Maybe I'm just stressing him out. I still soak every night, I have not tried the soak with carrots yet, but I think I will. So I just can't get rid of his stuffy/runny nose, I'm just glad he eats like a pig. So should I make an appointment this week?