Hello all!

I had to leave town unexpectedly and upon my return (yesterday) 2 of the 3 tortoises were awake from their hibernation. It has been quite warm, so I thought it probably wasn't good that Scar wasn't up yet. So, I dug him out of his burrow and sure enough he had crusty eyes and was a bit wheezy. Got him in to see our herp vet today and he has Mycoplasma. He has 10 shots of Baytril, one every other day and we will be doing warm water soaks to help get the gunk out of him...so, now he has to live indoors for the next 20 days or so...and he will probably hate my guts by the time this is all over. So I have two questions.....

1) Any one have any tips for injecting tortoises? They showed me how at the vet's, but it does not look easy. Just wondering if any one had figured out any tricks or anything that might make it a little easier or less stressful on him...

2) Any substrate recommendations for his temporary home? In the past I have used small alfalfa pellets, but I am open to other ideas...I want something that will help make him a little more comfortable in his tub since he will be stuck in it for so long...I know a lot of people use straw inside their tortoise houses for them to dig around in, but I was afraid that it wouldn't be absorbent enough if he urinated....thoughts?? I am rather spoiled having Desert Tortoises in AZ because they are normally able to live outdoors year round!!

Scar & I appreciate any suggestions

Tamara

Attached Images

scar.jpg (28.5 KB, 6 views)

oh, i don't know any answers to your questions. I can just offer support.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

injecting a tortoise is not easy thats for sure. I take my Oscar and some of the others that have been in throughout the years and place them on their hind legs in between my legs, they will automatically pull their botton legs in and then they will extend their front legs out ,to kick or try to get away from you, lol. I then take the needle and inject in the inner part of the leg (where the skin is softest) REMEMBER TO PULL BACK ON THE SYRINGE! You do that to make sure you are not in a vein. If blood comes into the syringe, remove and try another spot, until you get no blood.
Now your tortoise may limp and refuse to walk and act all crippled and fall over, it will pass, lol. He may do this for about two hours. They are really pitiful when they recieve injections.
As far as the substrate I would just shred paper towels, because it is clean, no worries of little particles to get in the eye and the nose and irritate anymore than they already are.
Remember you will need a uvb light while he is in the house.
Good luck and let us know how it goes

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

Thanks Liz!! Support is good, too
And Thank you Nicole! That sounds like a great technique...we will see how this goes! I guess I have 10 shots to perfect the technique haha. Now I am a little concerned about some other issues...ever since we left the vet he has been 'bulging out' if you will...looks like he needs to go to the bathroom, but he isn't going. He was slowly leaking what I assume to be pee based on the smell...it was clear...the vet recommended I do warm water soaks with him to help loosen up the junk in his lungs, and to help him go to the bathroom. He says if he doesn't go in the next day or so, that I will need to bring him back because there may be a stone or bladder infection of some sort. Poor guy

Good luck and keep us posted. Poor little guy.

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MARSHA
A man without a woman is a bachelor, A woman without a man is a genius!.

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!

Poor little fellow! I hope all goes well for him and he recovers quickly!

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~Juliane~

Is he raising himself and making some noise while he is bulging out? Could it be that he has come of age?

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

Unfortunately, that's not what he is doing. I wish he was being that active!! At least if he were humping things I would know that he was feeling better! haha He really isn't moving at all, or making any sounds...just bulging out, leaking (although less this morning than yesterday), and sitting there in his shell. Since the vet visit he wont even stick his head out. I am about to go home on my lunch hour and put him outside for a little bit...hoping the sun and warmth will wake him up a little more!! Oh, and Scar is an old man...not coming of age. He is approx. 30-35 years Thanks for the reply!!

ah poor old man
I hope all goes well for you guys !

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Just because you have an animal that isnt dead doesnt mean you know how to take care of it

aww poor guy, i think Nicole is right with using something like newspaper, but if you really want something more natural you could put a base of soil in the tub, and use pet grass seeds. They usually take about 2 days to sprout and grow, but is safe for animals to eat, and don't need a lot of soil to take root in...

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