So this was what we woke up to this morning….
We had no choice but clip it off to prevent ripping.
We had no choice but clip it off to prevent ripping.
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White flesh
- Thread starter EppsDynasty
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So got the "ole" computer working....for now. Still have to post pics from phone though then go on the computer and to all the text in the post. Still figuring out this darn computer stuff sorry.
UPDATE: 11/5 653 grams Her poop the last two times had small feather pieces in it, and this morning it had more nylon thread stuff. It does come out easily (don't mean to gross you out), it's just has foreign stuff again. SO.... when we started Mineral oil, the next morning her "eye cap" looked like it was cracking off. Me and my wife thought this was a good thing, not realizing that was her scales coming off. This is the morning also that Jo Jo ripped off the scales on her left forearm, rubbing her eye. My wife swore that the more we softened the scales the more easily they came off. The more it softened the more it lifted. Now, I know that the mineral oil had to be done (she was miserable) but is it normal for the scales to come off?
Now that that's done YIPPEEEEEEEE ....wait is that an eye, do you see an eye to...?
UPDATE: 11/5 653 grams Her poop the last two times had small feather pieces in it, and this morning it had more nylon thread stuff. It does come out easily (don't mean to gross you out), it's just has foreign stuff again. SO.... when we started Mineral oil, the next morning her "eye cap" looked like it was cracking off. Me and my wife thought this was a good thing, not realizing that was her scales coming off. This is the morning also that Jo Jo ripped off the scales on her left forearm, rubbing her eye. My wife swore that the more we softened the scales the more easily they came off. The more it softened the more it lifted. Now, I know that the mineral oil had to be done (she was miserable) but is it normal for the scales to come off?
Now that that's done YIPPEEEEEEEE ....wait is that an eye, do you see an eye to...?
Yes Yes Yes She really responds to my wife's voice, but walks towards both of us. She does seem to know we are not an abusive environment. I say this because she is soooo much more comfortable with everything we do with her. No more retracting her face in fright, no more trying to get out of my hands when we clean and apply the support, no more hesitation when she senses us. It is LOVE, at least on our side.
We transport her regularly back and forth between properties, about 1/4 mile down a dirt road. She's our Road Dog, no no no Road Tortoise. She's comfortable with traveling. I read an article/post on here about vibrating constipated tortoises so the road trips we felt were good for her in that way as well. Whenever we can weather permitting she goes on a car ride.
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in my OPINION if the scales were healthily attached to a blood supply they would not come off so easily. They are probably damaged from the ducks picking at her and would eventually come off with or without your intervention. It's good to see that eyeball.
This is what we thought, they acted more like scabs than scales. Scabs meaning injury, duck injuries.
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That's such good news all round - she seems to be making remarkable progress, thanks to your care and dedication - and in such a short time, too. It's great that she doesn't mind you handling her now - it will make it a lot easier at the vets, I should think - and now you have that possible eyeball to discuss too. I am so happy for you both and for her !
Very best wishes to you from Angie
Very best wishes to you from Angie
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What a good idea, getting her used to travelling. Our Hermann's tortoise, who is 23 now, has always enjoyed going out in the car - sitting on my lap - so we take him out every day, often to look at the sea near us. If we have to stay in for some reason, he feels he is missing out, and gets quite cross !
It is wonderful how Jo Jo has learned to trust you so much, after just a few weeks - especially after the really bad time she has had previously. I wonder if she has managed to forget those ducks yet - I hope so.
Angie
Hmmm. How does he let you know that he is cross about not going for a car ride to look at the sea? I have a sneaking feeling it's you who likes looking at the sea from the car, and not your tortoise! LOL. Just sayin'.
There you go being a Killjoy again, Tammy.
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Actually, we lrearned quite early on that he was fascinated by moving water - his dad takes him to a headland, above the waves, and Zola will stretch his neck out and follow the waves with his eyes - while I stay on the main part of the cliff and look at the sea as a whole. If you saw him, you would believe it ! Rivers and waterfalls too!
Angie
He sounds just like me. Really crazy about the sea or any river, lake, pond, mud puddle...! So I get it.
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This morning he saw some really big waves bashing against the rocks, and flicking up lots of spume to fly up in the wind. In the summer, his dad will paddle with him , holding him just a little way above the water, and letting him see the sunlight flashing on the waves - he loves that too.
Angie
Angie that is so cool....
To many people think of their pets as a non intelligent being. To many animal owners don't give mental stimuli or even act as that is a thing. This truly did make me feel good......Picturing a Hermanns on a kayak taking in all the smells, sights and movements. Picturing a Hermanns sitting on a bench by the sea watching the waves....WE NEED PICS.
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Thank you - I'm sure a lot of people think we are slightly mad, but we know Zola well enough to be sure he is interested and aware of much that is going on around him - the problem for tortoises is that ,being on the ground nearly all of the time, they are unable to see much of their surroundings. Zola gets a chance to see lots of things - he isn't afraid, as his dad is holding him, and he is interested in everything. I will have to get Richard to help me sort out some pictures - we have lots of him in different places -as I said, he loves water, but he also loves bluebell woods, for instance (lovely smell and colour ! )
We have taken him out from when he was very little, and the first time was to the side of a stream - he walked on the grass by the sparkling water - when we took him home, he was furious when we got to the front door and realised his magic time was over. So, because we are retired and have the time, we take him out every day - he is our only family, really, and it makes us happy to see him enjoying things.
Angie
Great ! So sorry for not updating
UPDATE: 11/6 623 grams
11/7 655 grams
11/8 615 grams Yesterday was a ton of urates, even did it all over me while supporting her shell. I spared you the pics but I did take some. Her "eye" are closed up and you couldn't see any sing of an eye. Operation "Oil Eye" is still in full effect, this pic is from just a few minutes ago. I continued the Vaseline and not the mineral oil for its staying power. The vaseline seems to last a little longer. So this little "Eye Looking Area" is opening up I hope due to the moisturizing we are doing. The humidity of where she is in is a constant 40% but I'm afraid of that new skin drying up over what we all hope is an eye. This vet visit can't come soon enough for this little trooper. We still give car rides almost everyday as well as free roam grazing in different parts of the yard (it's 10 acres) but we built her a "cage" after the scare we had. It is amazing how fast a human can develop an emotional connection with another animal. Our kids are 16 & 19 but since we received Jo Jo it has been like there's a baby in the house again. I have decided that she WILL have a waterfall and small shallow pond in her enclosure next spring. The most special environment we can create for her is what is going to happen. Especially after hearing about the ocean loving tortoise
I promise to give more regular updates and the family sincerely appreciates the help and the caring people here.
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At last little JoJo's luck has turned, and she is going to have the life she deserves - I hope she will live many long and happy years to enjoy it. Do you have any idea how long she was trapped with those ducks ? It shows what a strong and brave personality she must have, to come through all that, and probably other bad things too.
I shall be thinking of her a lot on the 11th - I, for one, have developed an emotional connection with her without ever seeing her , and I am so glad she has come to you and your family.
Angie
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Sorry - I read your vet date as 11th November, when it's really the 28th - I'm in the UK, and we write dates the other way round - pretty dim of me, since there is no 28th month ! I apologise !
Angie
This is not my link and I know nothing of this person. This is just the best pic I could find to show you where she actually came from.
The only information we received was .... A neighbor of a house that was abandoned thought they were hearing birds from said house. At some point they went into the back yard and found 5 ducks in a small coop with pen. Looking for eggs they looked in the coops laying boxes and found Jo Jo. Unknown of exactly how long but we got the feeling from the gal that drove Jo Jo half way to us was a couple weeks at least. Jo Jo smelled like duck mud feces for 2 weeks of washing and soaks multiple times a day.
The only information we received was .... A neighbor of a house that was abandoned thought they were hearing birds from said house. At some point they went into the back yard and found 5 ducks in a small coop with pen. Looking for eggs they looked in the coops laying boxes and found Jo Jo. Unknown of exactly how long but we got the feeling from the gal that drove Jo Jo half way to us was a couple weeks at least. Jo Jo smelled like duck mud feces for 2 weeks of washing and soaks multiple times a day.
UPDATE: 11/9 628 grams. Here is a pic from this morning’s soak, wash and support routine. I really want that eye to work. She has had clear bubbles coming from her nares, mucus. Is this a big deal? Thought it was just stress from what she’s gone through. And it would resolve itself when she became more comfortable.
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SuzanneZ
Well-Known Member
Jump on it. I just lost one (who was not healthy), a Russian. She seemed to end with a respiratory something; bubbles, foam, head up in the air trying to breathe.
