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- Sep 8, 2016
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- 102
Our tortoise is an African Hingeback, he's lived with us over 30 years
he was a young adult when we adopted him, we estimate his age at 35 - 40 years.
A couple of months ago he started "pumping" his head and front legs in an out,
unusually opening and closing his mouth,
now also pumping the bottom of his throat under the jaw,
sometimes weeping and drooling.
I took him to a new Vet who seems really good who did a blood test which revealed
low calcium to phosphorus ratio and suspected low vitamin D.
No signs of infection at all, no worms as of last test about 8-10 months ago (he has no exposure to other animals).
The X-Ray showed (as best as they can) no foreign objects,
the Vet was able to get him to open his mouth wide and saw nothing in his throat as far as she could see.
He often lies with his head out, opening his mouth gaping, sometimes leaving drool puddles.
And he has recently started making the squeaking sound!
(Before he only ever made a sound when getting "romantic" with a shoe)
He has also taken to elevating his head, resting his chin on the edge of his water bowl,
or propping his head way up, almost straight up, on the side of his tank or on the side of a small ball.
And often falls asleep in these potions.
He used to always pull in when he slept, and never opened his mouth except when eating.
Has anyone else ever seen their tort's do this?
Closely listening to him: there is no sign of wheezing or sounds of troubled breath,
his appetite and pooping seem good and normal,
but lately he is not being as active as he usually is in the Summer heat,
he takes in the finely chopped course dark greens mixed in his food.
When active he's just like always: chasing us around or climbing on the shoes,
but there are increasingly more frequent periods of lethargic, sprawled, head out resting.
The vet suggested direct sunlight outdoors, but that's difficult and not very safe where we live.
Her initial treatment is to use the new UVB bulb, supplement, increased baths
and keep an eye on him.
He's not getting better yet, and I'm worried.
[I am starting this as a new thread from the "pale thin band" thread where I originally posted this update,
that band in his shell seems to be new growth and unrelated to these symptoms,
I'm hoping by starting this new thread it will get more attention and guidance]
Thanks Everyone!
he was a young adult when we adopted him, we estimate his age at 35 - 40 years.
A couple of months ago he started "pumping" his head and front legs in an out,
unusually opening and closing his mouth,
now also pumping the bottom of his throat under the jaw,
sometimes weeping and drooling.
I took him to a new Vet who seems really good who did a blood test which revealed
low calcium to phosphorus ratio and suspected low vitamin D.
No signs of infection at all, no worms as of last test about 8-10 months ago (he has no exposure to other animals).
The X-Ray showed (as best as they can) no foreign objects,
the Vet was able to get him to open his mouth wide and saw nothing in his throat as far as she could see.
- I've added a daily calcium/Vit. D supplement to his food (Repto-Cal),
- switched the type of heat and UVB bulbs (#5 strength UVB and will replace in 6 months),
- and increased spritzing, keeping areas of his pen damp, and more frequent baths.
He often lies with his head out, opening his mouth gaping, sometimes leaving drool puddles.
And he has recently started making the squeaking sound!
(Before he only ever made a sound when getting "romantic" with a shoe)
He has also taken to elevating his head, resting his chin on the edge of his water bowl,
or propping his head way up, almost straight up, on the side of his tank or on the side of a small ball.
And often falls asleep in these potions.
He used to always pull in when he slept, and never opened his mouth except when eating.
Has anyone else ever seen their tort's do this?
Closely listening to him: there is no sign of wheezing or sounds of troubled breath,
his appetite and pooping seem good and normal,
but lately he is not being as active as he usually is in the Summer heat,
he takes in the finely chopped course dark greens mixed in his food.
When active he's just like always: chasing us around or climbing on the shoes,
but there are increasingly more frequent periods of lethargic, sprawled, head out resting.
The vet suggested direct sunlight outdoors, but that's difficult and not very safe where we live.
Her initial treatment is to use the new UVB bulb, supplement, increased baths
and keep an eye on him.
He's not getting better yet, and I'm worried.
[I am starting this as a new thread from the "pale thin band" thread where I originally posted this update,
that band in his shell seems to be new growth and unrelated to these symptoms,
I'm hoping by starting this new thread it will get more attention and guidance]
Thanks Everyone!
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