BarefootInABug
New Member
We have had Smokey for a year. He is a rescue and we have NO history on him. Not even sure he is a him. We believe he is approximately 5 yrs old, maybe 16" long and only slightly pyramided. This afternoon we were fencing in a new enclosure for him and he managed to climb a step and swallow a screw. The screw is an inch long #10 or #12. We went to the vet immediately and had him x-rayed. The screw is in his stomach. We are taking him to the nearest teaching vet tomorrow for a possible surgery. They told us that if it stays in his stomach they can use a scope and go in through his armpit and remove the screw. If it has moved then they will have to crack his shell to surgically remove it.
My question is...has anyone had a tortoise expel a screw or other sharp object on their own? Should we risk the shell crack or wait and see if he passes it on his own? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
My question is...has anyone had a tortoise expel a screw or other sharp object on their own? Should we risk the shell crack or wait and see if he passes it on his own? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!