Tamie - Honey has only had chest xrays - no bloods or any other investigations.
The vet mentioned about taking a swab by drilling a hole in her shell and taking a sample that way - which I was not in agreement.
He has never actually seen her with her head out so has not checked the nares but they seem clear to me but of course I am no expert. I am speaking to the vet this afternoon so any advice from you would be appreciated - I am quite happy to insist on any tests that will benefit her diagnosis.

I would strongly urge the tests mentioned to be done.

Drilling a hole in her shell ?????????????? This worries me a great deal!

Tamie

Totally agree - so should he be swabbing her nose and throat then ? Sorry to sound naive but if it was a human I would know exactly what tests they would do and how to treat pneumonia but tortoises I am a complete novice when it comes to illness.

This is done more often than you might think. It is accepted practice to drill holes in the carapace in order to introduce antibiotics right into the infected area & take samples. It can be a very effective treatment.

If Eviemay is concerned she should approach a different vet.

No I am happy with my Vet George - just not with that particular way of collecting a mucus sample - yes agreed it may be effective but I would only consider where all else fails - I am hoping that a change of A/B may show a different result - I had an infection once it took 5 different A/B over a few months to find the right one to do the job!!!

im sorry to hear ur leo os unwell.
maybe try ring a difrent vets and query the treatmet your vet has recomended just ask for a second opinion dont give your vets name or practice name just question the treatment and what they would do,
just a idea ,
hope poor tort is well soon

claire

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home sweet home

Claire - there is only one other specialist vet that I know of and I have mixed reviews about him - my vet is very good but maybe a bit old school - there is an excellent vet on shelled who has given me advice in the past and I just relay it onto my vet as if I am just questioning and not underminding - it seems to do the trick.

Thank you for your reply

Anne

Hi Anne , I know you give your tortoises every thing . Honey is a big greedy female with a huge appetite .I really wouldnt worry to much . You have given her the meds . She might be like my coke and huff and puff whenb eating and snore if to hot . Even if permanent lung damage has occured nowt you can do about that anyway . she has a great life now and how can you be responsible for vet prescribing medicine, mine gave baytril to my leopard ,also a well known specialist .Befor I said not to give it to her any more .

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alicia x

As a keeper who has has a good deal of experience with leopards you can take comfort that if the tortoise did not react from the first administration of the Baytril you definately do not have a worry after not seeing a reaction after 20 doses.

One poster mentioned Lung worm... a distinct possibility but I would think it would show up in an ex-ray.

For other readers who would consider the use of Baytril... It is still a viable choice for Leopards, Stars... There has been isolated reports to adverse reactions to some species but I think it has been over played.

I've yet to experience this reaction after using Baytril with these species. I have also yet to meet a person who has had first hand experience with this reaction.

As with many other reports... I have to question what else might be a factor in combination or alone.

As to the noise... There is no way to offer a suggestion at this point without actually hearing the noise for myself.

Another note... I can't think of any tissue samples that cannot be taken using endoscopic surgery... which accesses the body cavity through soft tissue using a very small incision.

Ed

Thank you Ed - I have spoken to the vet today - he is not unduly worried about her noises -he is happy as long as she is eating and not losing weight - One thing that has occured to me though - Why only noisy at night ? Could this be like Alicia says due to temp or maybe humidity??