TuckersMum
Member
Hi All.
I posted back in Feb about my horsefield, Tucker, who presented at first with symptoms of an eye infection. On 23rd Jan he stopped eating and couldn't open his eyes.
After getting advice from people here, I addressed any husbandry issues and improved his environment (many thanks for that by the way).
Every piece of advice I received, I took on board. All except for one bit of advice; which was to not go back to the vet I had seen.
I am still a fairly new owner having had tucker for a year. He is only around 2 years old so still rather small and very young. You guys taught me a lot. And I have learned so much more via my vets and the vet nurses at the hospital I take Tucker to. They specialise in exotics, but advice was to not go back to the vets.
There was criticism around him having a couple of assisted feeds to keep his strength up. There was also concerns around the mention of IM antibiotic injections. This really made me cautious and I tried to hold off with interventions in the hope that I could help Tucker without taking veterinary advice. Sadly it only prolonged his suffering.
Eventually, Tucker had a feeding tube fitted in his neck because his weight was dropping and he barely had much to lose. This was also another way of getting antibiotics into him. He had that line in for 4 weeks and was due to have another put in last weds. Luckily, he started eating last weds morning and since then he has been eating and drinking regularly.
It took me until about a month ago to agree for them to take bloods and swabs. He tested negative for viruses but positive for mycoplasma bacteria. At this point, we were wondering if he was ever going to recover or whether he was suffering too much. Not only were his eyes still not right, his skin was becoming sore, he was lethargic and barely moving around.
Since the confirmation of mycoplasma, and starting him on a nebuliser, along with a stronger antibiotic, his progress has been amazing and his weight is now back over 100g. His eyes are returning to normal, he has been eating for 10 days, he is active again and his cheeky little personality is back.
I wanted to come back and provide this update and feedback because I can't help but think about what would have happened had I taken the advice of not going back to the vet. While many people here may have successfully brought tortoises back from the brink, not every case is the same and not every vet is clueless or giving wrong info/advice. Without a doubt I don't think Tucker would be here now had I not persisted and kept taking the vets advice. They have taught me so much like many of you have.
Please bear this in mind when giving advice because I'd hate for someone to be so wary of seeking vet advice and help if it were genuinely needed.
So happy to say Tuckers recovery is going so well now with the right treatment. Onwards and upwards. Thanks to everyone for your support❤️
I posted back in Feb about my horsefield, Tucker, who presented at first with symptoms of an eye infection. On 23rd Jan he stopped eating and couldn't open his eyes.
After getting advice from people here, I addressed any husbandry issues and improved his environment (many thanks for that by the way).
Every piece of advice I received, I took on board. All except for one bit of advice; which was to not go back to the vet I had seen.
I am still a fairly new owner having had tucker for a year. He is only around 2 years old so still rather small and very young. You guys taught me a lot. And I have learned so much more via my vets and the vet nurses at the hospital I take Tucker to. They specialise in exotics, but advice was to not go back to the vets.
There was criticism around him having a couple of assisted feeds to keep his strength up. There was also concerns around the mention of IM antibiotic injections. This really made me cautious and I tried to hold off with interventions in the hope that I could help Tucker without taking veterinary advice. Sadly it only prolonged his suffering.
Eventually, Tucker had a feeding tube fitted in his neck because his weight was dropping and he barely had much to lose. This was also another way of getting antibiotics into him. He had that line in for 4 weeks and was due to have another put in last weds. Luckily, he started eating last weds morning and since then he has been eating and drinking regularly.
It took me until about a month ago to agree for them to take bloods and swabs. He tested negative for viruses but positive for mycoplasma bacteria. At this point, we were wondering if he was ever going to recover or whether he was suffering too much. Not only were his eyes still not right, his skin was becoming sore, he was lethargic and barely moving around.
Since the confirmation of mycoplasma, and starting him on a nebuliser, along with a stronger antibiotic, his progress has been amazing and his weight is now back over 100g. His eyes are returning to normal, he has been eating for 10 days, he is active again and his cheeky little personality is back.
I wanted to come back and provide this update and feedback because I can't help but think about what would have happened had I taken the advice of not going back to the vet. While many people here may have successfully brought tortoises back from the brink, not every case is the same and not every vet is clueless or giving wrong info/advice. Without a doubt I don't think Tucker would be here now had I not persisted and kept taking the vets advice. They have taught me so much like many of you have.
Please bear this in mind when giving advice because I'd hate for someone to be so wary of seeking vet advice and help if it were genuinely needed.
So happy to say Tuckers recovery is going so well now with the right treatment. Onwards and upwards. Thanks to everyone for your support❤️
