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Post by kaley on Oct 4, 2006 20:45:18 GMT -5
OK, this is a STRANGE question...maybe a little background will help!?
Someone who I adopted a turtle out to last year decided they didn't want it anymore, and left it on my front step in the freezing cold for me to find. The particular turt has a rather deformed shell, and is missing her front toes, so she's pretty distinctive.
This turtle is the skinniest little turt I have ever seen - absolutely emaciated. She was also covered in slimy algae almost all over her shell - not quite all over though...can anyone say only 2 inches of water...arggghh! Needless to say I'm rather pissed at these horrid people, but that's beside the point.
Anyways, she ate right away, but I resisted the urge to over feed her...didn't want to shock her poor neglected, cold, starved system...So, she's been her for a week - and is getting more vigorous and eating well...but she hasn't pooped yet!!
So, has the first food in ages (presumably) just not made it through yet? or is this little beasty in worse shape than I thought and have an impaction or something?
Any thoughts? I think a trip to the exotics clinic at WCVM may be in order - but I still trust the opinion of experienced herpers first...
Kaley
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Post by joeysgreen on Oct 8, 2006 5:58:47 GMT -5
How's the animal's behavior? Any other symptoms? If the only lack of improvement from the originally poor condition is no stool, then it's okay to be patient. What species is this? I'd expect no stool for a week or so as an unused GI tract is likely atrophied and slow. The small feedings is a good idea for this reason as well. If concerned an X-ray is always a good peice of information to have.  Ian |
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Post by kaley on Oct 9, 2006 18:39:10 GMT -5
Sorry - this is a RES
Everything else seems pretty good...She's perked up quite a bit since the first few days...But she still hasn't passed anything...I've been giving her warm baths every day, and she is of course in a heated tank, and is eating a little bit every day...but still nothing...
I think that an x-ray may be in order too...but I'm not sure that I trust the vets to read it properly - But I suppose they are my only option....
How long should I be patient? And also - is there any real benefit to giving oils? My parents were advised at one time to give a plugged up RES oil orally and as an enema - and it seemed to do the trick...but is there any validity in that, or was it just a happy accident?
Thanks for the advice!!
Kaley
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Post by bear24 on Nov 1, 2006 14:54:24 GMT -5
Not to pretend to be an expert but; I have used fatty meat to get my monitors to go potty when the seem a little bunged up. I have also used butter to help my cats get unplugged to. It might take awhile for her digestive system to want to work again her tract is probably not the first thing she will start sending energy to when she gets a bit better. Is she doing better has she had a movement?
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Post by kaley on Nov 1, 2006 19:53:50 GMT -5
That's a good idea! She is starting to be more "regular" though, so I think she's outta the woods!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Kaley
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Post by joeysgreen on Nov 14, 2006 7:14:32 GMT -5
I realize this reply is a bit late, but, giving fatty meals esp. butter is begging for pancreatitis. Use a water based lube like KY jelly or mineral oil if you take this route. Success will depend on the blockage, however enemas are not likely to be helpfull unless a cathetor is passed up the colon... best left for the vets.
As per vet expertise, ask if they use VIN. Pic's of radiographs can be posted for the experts to give their opinions on if the DVM is having problems with a case.
Ian
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Post by kaley on Nov 14, 2006 10:18:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the info - it's always good to know these sorts of things! I never actually did the enema thing, but my Mom did...very gently, of course - and it did seems to work - but maybe that was just good luck! Also good to know about the VIN thing - I'll definetly ask about that next time I have someone at the Dr. - I realize that the vets at WCVM are the best we have in terms of exotics stuff, but I've seen them do some questionable things so I'm a little leary...
Like I mentioned, she seems to be doing well now - a little time and TLC seems to have fixed things up.
Thanks again, though.
Kaley
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Post by Shawn(snakebite) on Nov 17, 2006 21:31:44 GMT -5
:)Glad to hear your turt has turned round for the better.It's always tuff on a person to have an animal that you know is not in the best condition and knowing that it is in need of recovery. A red eared slider , after eating will usually poop within 5-15 minutes.I was just wanderin too , did you ever think it might have been eating its fecies? I know turtles , especially RES will turn round and eat their excrement right after deposit.Just curious  ?? |
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Post by kaley on Nov 17, 2006 22:35:57 GMT -5
Thanks! I've had sick turts before (big surprise in rescue  ), but this was especially hard on me 'cause she got this way after I adopted here out to people I thought would be a good home, and they just abandoned her on my doorstep in this miserable state...  Especially bad because I would have taken her back at any time, no questions asked, and they knew this when they took the turt. About the poop eating - I watched this little one for a long time...and didn't see anything of the sort...even tried warm baths, and that's usually a sure fire poop inducer! But who knows, I couldn't watch her 24/7... I'm just happy she seems to be on the mend! Kaley |
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Post by Shawn(snakebite) on Nov 17, 2006 23:01:49 GMT -5
huh! yeah quite the way to bring back a turtle.Glad to hear things are doing well.
How many turts do you have right now and what sort of enclosure do you keep them all in? Just curious, I can imagine you are overloaded.It's a big job.I have taken in unwanted RES as well , nothinjg lik ethe numbers you must , but, they are always out there up for grabs.I have my 7 set up in an old bathtub with a masiive dock for basking and just being out on land.They sure seem to love it.You provide a good service with that.What are your plans in the future with concerns of RES??
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Post by kaley on Nov 17, 2006 23:19:10 GMT -5
I've only got 6 RES right now...and my parents have two (they help with the rescue too)...We've had a lot more than this in the past...but the setup I have know is a little crowded none the less, as 5 of the 6 are BIG females, and then there's little Lumpy...Also, my one eatern box and the western painted came in through rescue..but they are pets now...
The current set up is several plastic 45 gal. drums plumbed together with lights and basking rocks....just do complete water changes to clean it all out regularily...
I have an approx 3x4x2 ft plastic tank set up for my koi right now...and am hoping to get another one set up for the turts soon- they'll have piles of room in that!!
Kaley
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??
), but this was especially hard on me 'cause she got this way after I adopted here out to people I thought would be a good home, and they just abandoned her on my doorstep in this miserable state... 
Especially bad because I would have taken her back at any time, no questions asked, and they knew this when they took the turt.