What's wrong with my tortoise?

[BLloyd1391]

Hello, We have an adult yellowfoot named Terra. She is about 20. We have had her for about 5 years. Recently I noticed a yellow substance on her back that looked like tree sap. I tried cleaning it off but it keeps reappearing. She doesn't seem to be bothered by it and is eating normal. Does anybody know what this might be on her shell?

 

[egyptiandan]

Hi,
Can you take a picture of the area? That would help us figure out whats going on.

Danny

 

[tortoisenerd]

Hi and welcome to the forum! Looking forward to "meeting" Terra. Along with a picture some information about where she is kept would help (such as if it is outside and what types of trees are over her).

Sometimes even natural products you buy in the store like a log hide can even have sap on them too.

 

[BLloyd1391]

Took Terra to the reptile store where we got her. They have a vet on staff that comes every Thursday. He said she has an infection and will need to get on some antibiotics. I'm bringing her in tomorrow for an office visit. Unfortunately, everytime we get in the car she immediately has to go to the bathroom...

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Well yeah! That's why it's so easy to do a fecal for a tortoise...

 

[tortoisenerd]

Please let us know what type of infection and what type of antibiotic. I'm very interested in what this could be and still want to see some pictures. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for her!

My tort was kind enough to provide 3 samples at his last vet visit...

 

[Traveller]

Oh yes please post some pics.
As a new Redfoot owner and a Vet Tech I'd like to see also,
that way we can all learn.
Hope all turns out well and Terra has a speedy recovery.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

To me having an infection means that there had to have been an injury of some sort...I cannot picture pus oozing out of a carapace with no injury...Did she bump herself or something like that? A burn from a light? Something?

 

[BLloyd1391]

The vet put Terra on two types of injections (Ceftazidime and Oxytetracy). She is on a 3 day cycle. First one, then the other, then a day off. She is almost done with the meds. Getting a shot in the butt has made her very sore in the hind area. She now has difficulty moving her rear legs. She can move if she absolutely has to but would prefer to stay in the same spot most of the time. I've been helping her get to her lettuce and melon to feed which she seems to still be eating normal. I'm also using a anti-microbial rinse on her shell where the infection is that was given to me by the vet. I'll try to get some pictures up soon. Thanks for all the feedback. Hopefully she will get better.

 

[tortoisenerd]

Thank you for the update! What else do you feed besides the lettuce and melon? Are you familiar with redfoots.com diet plan? I hope Terra starts feeling better soon. A lot of times the meds will make a tort feel off for awhile but once they recover from the meds and start feeling better you can quickly see a change. Did the vet want to see Terra back soon? Best wishes.

 

[Gulf Coast]

speedy recovery for terra. i hope u tkook before pictures.

 

[dmmj]

I am worried about the legs not moving, I hope she gets well soon.

 

[tortoisenerd]

Can you vary the injection area? I think you said she's almost done with them though.... That might be worth a call to the vet if it doesn't get quickly better.

 

[Crazy1]

BLloyd1391, welcome to the forum and sending well wishes your way for a speedy recovery for Terra

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Blloyd1391:

to the forum!!

And to Terra:

Yvonne

 

[matt41gb]

I've had snails and slugs crawl over my red foot's carapace quite often. They will leave a slimy trail. I bet that's what is happening.

-Matt

 

[Crazy1]

BLloyd1391 just looking for an update on your tort. How is Terra doing now? Did the vet ever culture the infected area? Just me being nosy

 

[BLloyd1391]

Sorry it's been awhile since I've been on here. Update on Terra. We are still administering antibiotics. She is on her third round of shots. Her shell has stopped oozing but she still is not 100%. Still having trouble using her rear legs, probably because of the injections. I have varied the injection site but she is still very sore. We have recently brought her inside because it has been so hot here in AZ that I'm afraid she will get dehydrated. We soaked her tonight and she drank quite a bit of water. After drinking she had a bowel movement that confirmed she was getting dehydrated. We are going to finish this third round of antibiotics and then take her back to the vet so he can assess where we go from here.

 

[Crazy1]

Thanks for the update. Hopefully she is on the mend. Please update after your vet visit. We truly would like to know her status. Sending good thought for terra.