Taking medicine

[krissy56]

So I was injecting a medication into my baby sulcatas arm and it didn't seem to be working, so I went back to the vet and they have me an oral medication that I have to put in his mouth, I think everyone knows that it's pretty hard to get a tortoise to open his mouth especially because mine is only 2 1/2 months old. My advantage right now is that he has the uri and had to open his mouth to breathe, any suggestions to get him to open his mouth to take the medication???

The next step is a feeding tube in the side of his neck to make sure the medicine is getting into him and I don't want that, I just want my little guy better

 

[leigti]

I'm not sure this will work with the baby but you can try it. I squirt the medicine onto a leaf of Romain or a piece of cactus, the wet side, and then my tortoise will eat it. With the Romain sometimes I rolled up like a burrito and that seems to help also, maybe at disguises the medicine Little bit. Good luck, or people will be along soon as suggestions.

 

[krissy56]

I did think about putting it on lettuce the only problem is the vet told me that if he doesn't get ALLL of the dosage of the medicine that he can become immune to it and it won't help him

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Does he like tomatoes or strawberry? Tomatoes would work better. You could squirt the medicine down into the tomato, just make sure he eats of it. I don't thin that should be problem, they love treats. Or you could catch him by surprise. Give him a treat so that he's giving all his attention to it, then when he takes a bite, quickly insert the medicine into his mouth real quick, and he has his treat to wash it down with.

 

[Wanda]

I had to give two of mine daily doses of oral antibiotics for about three weeks. The reptile vet showed me how to do it but it took practice although by the end of it I got pretty nifty. It is a two person job though so you would need help.

He told me to push the back legs into the shell so they have to poke their head out then carefully but firmly grasp the neck at the side just behind the scaled bit, keeping your fingers in line with the top of their shell so they can't retract their head. It is important to grasp at the sides and not underneath as this would restrict the breathing. Then With the other hand get hold of the bottom jaw and ease it open. Then the second person inserts the medicine in their mouth using a needless syringe. One of them was really easy to deal with but the other one knew what was coming so it used to take a while to get her in the right position.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[Ardelle]

So I was injecting a medication into my baby sulcatas arm and it didn't seem to be working, so I went back to the vet and they have me an oral medication that I have to put in his mouth, I think everyone knows that it's pretty hard to get a tortoise to open his mouth especially because mine is only 2 1/2 months old. My advantage right now is that he has the uri and had to open his mouth to breathe, any suggestions to get him to open his mouth to take the medication???

The next step is a feeding tube in the side of his neck to make sure the medicine is getting into him and I don't want that, I just want my little guy better

Hi
Did you manage to do the oral medicine? I have a tiny tort and I am struggling to open his mouth, the reptile vet i took him to couldn’t either as hes so small

 

[Yvonne G]

This thread is ten years old, and we haven't seen the original poster in a very long time.

 

[Ardelle]

This thread is ten years old, and we haven't seen the original poster in a very long time.

@Yvonne G I believe someone on here said you have a good method?

 

[Yvonne G]

@Yvonne G I believe someone on here said you have a good method?

I've never, in all my years of caring for tortoises, had to give oral medication to baby tortoises. If they are set up correctly, if the husbandry is correct and all tortoise needs are met, there has NEVER been a need for me to medicate baby tortoises.

As a rescue, I HAVE taken in very small, sick tortoises. Almost always, the baby's eyes were swollen shut because of husbandry issues. After setting the sick one up correctly, with the right heat and light, and after soaking in the carrot/water mixture over three days, the eyes opened and the baby started eating.

 

[Ardelle]

I've never, in all my years of caring for tortoises, had to give oral medication to baby tortoises. If they are set up correctly, if the husbandry is correct and all tortoise needs are met, there has NEVER been a need for me to medicate baby tortoises.

As a rescue, I HAVE taken in very small, sick tortoises. Almost always, the baby's eyes were swollen shut because of husbandry issues. After setting the sick one up correctly, with the right heat and light, and after soaking in the carrot/water mixture over three days, the eyes opened and the baby started eating.

He is 2 and a half years old, but tiny, he has grown considerably since I had him but still very small.

The carrot soaks don’t seem to be working very well or taking longer, he is able to open his eyes partially, the third lid is visible but they are no longer swollen shut.

I am just anxious as its been a long time and because of his weight I don’t know how long he can go without eating, his movements are also getting slower and he just wants to sleep.

Temperature is at 36 degrees and hes now in a viv ( he was on a table)

 

[EppsDynasty]

You have to have Temp, Light and humidity perfect or it's a step forward and two steps back. Could you post what those levels are? Pictures are best for experts to help.

 

[Ardelle]

You have to have Temp, Light and humidity perfect or it's a step forward and two steps back. Could you post what those levels are? Pictures are best for experts to help.

This has all been discussed and corrected on my other thread, not sure how to post it.
I think the heading was eyes close at the end if every summer