Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:08:49 GMT

And everyone is happy to help if they can - it's just that reptiles need a more thorough history taken than mammals, and even if you find the clinical problem and treat it you will gain nothing if it continues to have poor husbandry.

I do wish you every luck with it!

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Busybee — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:56:40 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]So many issues are related in one way or another to husbandry, it should really be standard to get a complete picture of how she is kept before getting her out of the box[/quote]

Wasn't me who saw it in I'm afraid, just got given it to x-ray!

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]If you see very few tortoises is there any possibility of referring tortie to someone locally who does?[/quote]

unable to get hold of owner today, but always offer this to exotics owners as we know our limitations. Happy to try if they refuse referral but always offer it!

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Plus I'm sure you'll get the blood OK but the blood test won't help if you're unsure of interpretation...??? [/quote]

that's when I come back on here to bug people!

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Mark Rowland — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:22:02 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]Blood sample probably required as well as ultrasound to check for ovulatory stasis.[/quote]

I'd agree - but was thinking she may be able to get an idea with pictures she may have already taken...

TBH, I would expect most vets who see tortoises regularly would do bloods and radiographs in pretty much every case?

[/quote]

Absolutely

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:20:47 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]Blood sample probably required as well as ultrasound to check for ovulatory stasis.[/quote]

I'd agree - but was thinking she may be able to get an idea with pictures she may have already taken...

TBH, I would expect most vets who see tortoises regularly would do bloods and radiographs in pretty much every case?

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:17:34 GMT

If you see very few tortoises is there any possibility of referring tortie to someone locally who does? So many issues are related in one way or another to husbandry, it should really be standard to get a complete picture of how she is kept before getting her out of the box. Plus I'm sure you'll get the blood OK but the blood test won't help if you're unsure of interpretation...???

If referral isn't an option then feel free to ask any questions at all....

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Busybee — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:20:35 GMT

pm'd :)

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Busybee — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:20:12 GMT

pm'd :)

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Mark Rowland — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:16:13 GMT

No bother are you ok with the blood sample (pm me for a quick time vid on a DVD if you like I give them out at my cpd anyway) Goodluck

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Busybee — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:09:59 GMT

No, that's fine Mark, I will speak to the owner tomorrow. In the practice, we just don't see enough of these guys. Hence asking for advice on here - much appreciated, thanks!

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Mark Rowland — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:07:43 GMT

Let's put it this way :-) I wouldn't be waiting for her to go into liver failure. I would rather have the blood now but that's just me.

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Busybee — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:01:50 GMT

I wasn't there in 2008 or 2010 so I'm not responsible for the ca++ injections!

I was under the impression that if they have follicular stasis, they tend to be anorexic and lethargic. She is very bright and alert and has been eating well throughout. Can they get resorbed? (sorry for my ignorance - we don't see many tortoises!) She's been out of hibernation for about 6 weeks I believe. Unsure of the details, didn't get to speak to the owner.

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]Blood sample probably required as well as ultrasound to check for ovulatory stasis. Look for high globs, Ca and PO4 to check for follicular activity.[/quote]

as above Mark, she seems too 'well' to me, but then again, I have nothing except textbooks to compare to! I will offer bloods etc to the owner but if she's eating well, is behaving normally now and is bright and alert, how urgent is it?

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Mark Rowland — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:37:06 GMT

Blood sample probably required as well as ultrasound to check for ovulatory stasis. Look for high globs, Ca and PO4 to check for follicular activity. Pic of blood sampling from the jugular on my profile or go onto the website below and buy a DVD with the procedure in glorious HD

Goodluck

Re: Digging tortoise - but no eggs

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:31:08 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]she was given Ca++ injections[/quote]

Did you check for follicular stasis? (Easiest seen on a horizontal beam lateral view.)

[quote user="Busybee"]Previous times it's always been this time of year. Husbandry etc very good, very experienced owner. [/quote]

Has she recently come out of hibernation or was she overwintered? If so, how? Are environmental temps measured accurately?