Melissacoop
Well-Known Member
@Tom I plan on taking him to the vet tomorrow as he did not perk up the rest of the day. I soaked three times and no more stool but I feel he was posturing to go a few times but didn’t so I’m worried about a blockage. I’m taking him to the Exotic Specialty Office that is featured on Animal Plamet so hopefully they won’t offer the vitamin and Baytril injections. I know the vitamin injection is not necessary but what is the issue with the Baytril? Is it the wrong antibiotic for them or just the “cure all” approach? I’m just wondering if they want to give him a different antibiotic injection if that is advised or just oral meds?The big BM is a promising sign. The hair is not.
The opuntia meal should help push things through, but long hairs can get caught up and wrapped around the intestinal tract. Its possible that they'd see some sign of this on an X-ray, but also possibly not.
If the big BM didn't resolve the issue, then an Xray and some blood work will at least offer some insight.
The two big no-no's that vet almost always want to do is "vitamin" injections and Baytril injections. Just tell them up front that you don't want either of those and go from there.
I don't want to tell you to wait and see, and then have the tortoise die. I would probably wait and see, but your situation is different, and I'm not watching what you are watching. Trust your gut. Go with your gut. IF (big IF) your tortoise has hair strands wrapped up in its intestinal tract, or if the tortoise ate something poisonous, there really isn't anything a vet can do anyway. If it were my tort, I'd put him in the bath tub with warm water and try to get the tortoise treadmill going. Like a hot walker for a colicy horse. Keep the water warm, a little deeper than normal, and supervise closely. The larger size and slippery surface sometime gets them trudging and all that leg movement get things moving.
I don't want to lecture you. Not the time for that, but I feel its important for anyone reading to be reminded: This is why tortoises need their own enclosures. Tortoises shouldn't share the floor in the house or the yard outside with people or dogs. They need their own enclosures where people and dogs are not doing their thing.
Thanks for your time as always. ?