initial necropsy results

[fantapants]

the vet just called. he said that his kidney and heart were enlarged and inflamed. he died of either or both kidney/heart failure. there was some fluid on the lungs but he reckons that happened post mortem. The fat inside his plastron was unusual....he asked me if i used a heat mat as the fat seemed to have decomposed at a much faster rate than he would have expected compared to the rest of him. I told him i dont use them. He took samples of heart, liver, lung, kidneys and gut. i should have the results by the first week in january. i asked if he found any evidence of protozoa, he said there wasnt much in the gut but what there was he sent away to histology. and its being done by a reptile specialist.

[gtm]

I wonder whether the fat in the plastron is specific to the pancake tortoise - they are kind of different from most other species.

[fantapants]

Originally Posted by gtm

I wonder whether the fat in the plastron is specific to the pancake tortoise - they are kind of different from most other species.

from what i can gather, it wasnt that the fat was there, so much as the condition of it. i kn0w 100% that he was alive at 7 pm last night.......i found him dead at 7am this morning. yet the vet thought that he had been dead for around 24hrs longer when he saw the cell deterioration. hence why he thought there may have been a heat mat on. i told him i checked on him wothin 15 mins of the light going on and he was in the fridge within ten minutes of finding him.

i will know more when i get the results back.

[Tortoise Trust]

Ali,

What was the full history of this tortoise?

Andy
www.tortoisetrust.org

[tortoise_dude]

At least you know it's nothing you've done.

[joanna1]

As said, sorry to here about this, hope the results will help you understand whats gone on, you cant blame yourself anyone that is willing to care and dedicate time to torts is indispensable.

[Alexanders_mummy]

Im sorry if this has been asked Ali but does your breeder know anything that may help you ? how is your other wee one ? is he ok ?
best
Lise

[fantapants]

Originally Posted by Alexanders_mummy

Im sorry if this has been asked Ali but does your breeder know anything that may help you ? how is your other wee one ? is he ok ?
best
Lise

i didnt get them from a breeder, but from a dealer that imported a colony 2 years ago. He breeds pancakes now, but his original start up colony came from abroad. My two were babies that came from that group. I have spoken to him and will be keeping him posted on the results. I am confident that the whole thing will be resoved if it turns out to be a long standing health issue. He was as shocked as i was, he has had no other issues with his other juveniles so this may be a one-off. I will know more when i get the final results and written report.