Vet visit

[Tort25]

Just got him checked up the poo sample info will be here next week

 

[Tom]

View attachment 390461
Just got him checked up the poo sample info will be here next week

The dates for the "Preventative Treatments" don't make sense. They want another fecal exam done on the 18th? And what is it they are doing on the 26th id they are doing another fecal exam on the 18th? Why an annual check up in August, if they just did one right now in May?

Body condition? What is that, and how does a vet assess that by looking at the tortoise?

It says "375 lbs." for weight. Obviously a mistake, but...

How did they come to an ideal weight of 350-390 grams? And your tortoise is 375 grams? Sounds like the made those numbers up based on what your tortoise weighs. Most Russians would be significantly heavier than that, so where did they get those numbers?

That is terrible substrate advice. I shudder to think what else they might have recommended on their "husbandry form".

This is an example of a vet that doesn't know tortoises. They are telling you what you want to hear and trying to make things sound "official" so they can charge you a bunch of money for stuff they know nothing about and you don't need. In the future, I'd recommend just taking in a fecal sample if you see a problem and think it needs to be addressed. If the weight is good, appetite normal for the season, and activity levels are normal, a tortoise doesn't need to go to the vet. At least they didn't offer a "vitamin injection"... Or did they, and you knew to refuse?

 

[Tort25]

The dates for the "Preventative Treatments" don't make sense. They want another fecal exam done on the 18th? And what is it they are doing on the 26th id they are doing another fecal exam on the 18th? Why an annual check up in August, if they just did one right now in May?

Body condition? What is that, and how does a vet assess that by looking at the tortoise?

It says "375 lbs." for weight. Obviously a mistake, but...

How did they come to an ideal weight of 350-390 grams? And your tortoise is 375 grams? Sounds like the made those numbers up based on what your tortoise weighs. Most Russians would be significantly heavier than that, so where did they get those numbers?

That is terrible substrate advice. I shudder to think what else they might have recommended on their "husbandry form".

This is an example of a vet that doesn't know tortoises. They are telling you what you want to hear and trying to make things sound "official" so they can charge you a bunch of money for stuff they know nothing about and you don't need. In the future, I'd recommend just taking in a fecal sample if you see a problem and think it needs to be addressed. If the weight is good, appetite normal for the season, and activity levels are normal, a tortoise doesn't need to go to the vet. At least they didn't offer a "vitamin injection"... Or did they, and you knew to refuse?

Yeah I didn't like the substrate recommendations either. And no they didn't offer a vitamin injection.

 

[Tort25]

The dates for the "Preventative Treatments" don't make sense. They want another fecal exam done on the 18th? And what is it they are doing on the 26th id they are doing another fecal exam on the 18th? Why an annual check up in August, if they just did one right now in May?

Body condition? What is that, and how does a vet assess that by looking at the tortoise?

It says "375 lbs." for weight. Obviously a mistake, but...

How did they come to an ideal weight of 350-390 grams? And your tortoise is 375 grams? Sounds like the made those numbers up based on what your tortoise weighs. Most Russians would be significantly heavier than that, so where did they get those numbers?

That is terrible substrate advice. I shudder to think what else they might have recommended on their "husbandry form".

This is an example of a vet that doesn't know tortoises. They are telling you what you want to hear and trying to make things sound "official" so they can charge you a bunch of money for stuff they know nothing about and you don't need. In the future, I'd recommend just taking in a fecal sample if you see a problem and think it needs to be addressed. If the weight is good, appetite normal for the season, and activity levels are normal, a tortoise doesn't need to go to the vet. At least they didn't offer a "vitamin injection"... Or did they, and you knew to refuse?

Oh and I only took him to the vet because he has never been and we got him from pet smart before we knew that was a bad idea.

 

[zovick]

Oh and I only took him to the vet because he has never been and we got him from pet smart before we knew that was a bad idea.

Well, coming here was a good idea, so don't be discouraged. Follow the recommendations you get on this forum (not others) and your tortoise should be fine.

Good luck.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

He didn't have any other symptoms than the notice he was making at night?

 

[Tort25]

He didn't have any other symptoms than the notice he was making at night?

No the supposed tortoise doctor said that was normal

 

[TammyJ]

The dates for the "Preventative Treatments" don't make sense. They want another fecal exam done on the 18th? And what is it they are doing on the 26th id they are doing another fecal exam on the 18th? Why an annual check up in August, if they just did one right now in May?

Body condition? What is that, and how does a vet assess that by looking at the tortoise?

It says "375 lbs." for weight. Obviously a mistake, but...

How did they come to an ideal weight of 350-390 grams? And your tortoise is 375 grams? Sounds like the made those numbers up based on what your tortoise weighs. Most Russians would be significantly heavier than that, so where did they get those numbers?

That is terrible substrate advice. I shudder to think what else they might have recommended on their "husbandry form".

This is an example of a vet that doesn't know tortoises. They are telling you what you want to hear and trying to make things sound "official" so they can charge you a bunch of money for stuff they know nothing about and you don't need. In the future, I'd recommend just taking in a fecal sample if you see a problem and think it needs to be addressed. If the weight is good, appetite normal for the season, and activity levels are normal, a tortoise doesn't need to go to the vet. At least they didn't offer a "vitamin injection"... Or did they, and you knew to refuse?

At least they made sure to cover their butt with a diagnosis of "Apparently healthy"! Lol.