Humidity!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by Tim on March 17, 2001 at 13:17:33:

In Reply to: Re: Star hatchlings with running nose HELP !! posted by Tim on March 17, 2001 at 13:05:10:

: : : : Hi, I have 3 hatchlings that has a little running nose for about 15-18 days now. I've tried several things but so far nothing worked. I've given them Gentamicin Sulfate once a day for the last 2 weeks and the symptom persisted. I keep the temperature around 76-88 (night and day). Someone suggested that it might be due to lack of humidity or vitamin A and I've tried to raise the humidity a little with a cup of water in the tank and give them plenty of veggies high in vitamin A with yogurt that has mineral and vitamins added. And a vet told me that as long as they're eating fine and shows with no sign of losing weight, that should not be a concern. I've been keeping track of their weight and they seems to be gaining weight slowly. They're about Please let me know what you think.

: : : Sounds like a respiratory infection to me. I would of thought the Vet would do a test of the mucus. Antibiotics would be in order if its a respiratory infection. Lack of vitamin A is the root cause of respiratory infection. Do they also have puffy eyes? That's a sign of not getting enough vitamin A. Are you giving them supplements? I use a product called turtle clear eyes. It's a vitmin A supplement in a eye drop. It's made by TetraFauna most good reptile stores carry it. My Vet is a tortoise expert and he recommends it. You give sick animals one drop in each eye for 20 days. Healthy animals get one drop in each eye once a month. I would ask your vet about testing the mucus coming from the toretoises noses and tell him you think they may have a respiratory infection. But I also would hope he or she would have done that to start with. You may want to discuss this with one of the online Vets at kingsnake.com or get another opinion.

: : : Tim

: :
: : I give them calcium supplement and multi vitamins at least once every 2 days. Also, I've tried counsulted with several vets who keeps reptiles/tortoise themselves and they tell me not to worry about it as long as their appetite is good and no signs of weight loss. I notice that the running nose may stop for a few days and then it will come back again several days later.

: You didn't say if they have puffy eyes. If they have puffy eyes and they blow bubbles out their noses they have a respiratory infection. It may go away on its own it may not. They only need supplements once a week if your feeding a balanced diet. I would get the clear eyes and if they have puffy eyes give them one drop in each eye every day for 20 days. If their eyes are not puffy give it once a month. If their noses are not running all the time it may not be respiratory. Don't give the clear eyes every day unless you are sure they have a respiratory infection. Again the symptoms of respiratory infection are puffy running eyes and bubbles blowing out the nose. How warm are you keeping their encloser? The correct temp. is 80 to 86 degrees. Stars are very sensitive to long periods of high humidity so you want to keep that down. I agree with the vets. you talked to if they only have a runny nose occasionally and are eating well it's probably nothing to worry about. Just my opinions, I hope this helps.

: Tim

I just reread your original post and saw the part about raising the humidity. According to Jerry Walls (one of the best authorities on tortoises around) Star tortoises are very sensitive to high humidity. High humidity is the last thing you want with these tortoises. They should have water available at all times and be in a warm 80 to 86 degree low humidity environment.

Tim

Southampton Herps

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: : : : : Hi, I have 3 hatchlings that has a little running nose for about 15-18 days now. I've tried several things but so far nothing worked. I've given them Gentamicin Sulfate once a day for the last 2 weeks and the symptom persisted. I keep the temperature around 76-88 (night and day). Someone suggested that it might be due to lack of humidity or vitamin A and I've tried to raise the humidity a little with a cup of water in the tank and give them plenty of veggies high in vitamin A with yogurt that has mineral and vitamins added. And a vet told me that as long as they're eating fine and shows with no sign of losing weight, that should not be a concern. I've been keeping track of their weight and they seems to be gaining weight slowly. They're about Please let me know what you think. : : : : Sounds like a respiratory infection to me. I would of thought the Vet would do a test of the mucus. Antibiotics would be in order if its a respiratory infection. Lack of vitamin A is the root cause of respiratory infection. Do they also have puffy eyes? That's a sign of not getting enough vitamin A. Are you giving them supplements? I use a product called turtle clear eyes. It's a vitmin A supplement in a eye drop. It's made by TetraFauna most good reptile stores carry it. My Vet is a tortoise expert and he recommends it. You give sick animals one drop in each eye for 20 days. Healthy animals get one drop in each eye once a month. I would ask your vet about testing the mucus coming from the toretoises noses and tell him you think they may have a respiratory infection. But I also would hope he or she would have done that to start with. You may want to discuss this with one of the online Vets at kingsnake.com or get another opinion. : : : : Tim : : : : : : I give them calcium supplement and multi vitamins at least once every 2 days. Also, I've tried counsulted with several vets who keeps reptiles/tortoise themselves and they tell me not to worry about it as long as their appetite is good and no signs of weight loss. I notice that the running nose may stop for a few days and then it will come back again several days later. : : You didn't say if they have puffy eyes. If they have puffy eyes and they blow bubbles out their noses they have a respiratory infection. It may go away on its own it may not. They only need supplements once a week if your feeding a balanced diet. I would get the clear eyes and if they have puffy eyes give them one drop in each eye every day for 20 days. If their eyes are not puffy give it once a month. If their noses are not running all the time it may not be respiratory. Don't give the clear eyes every day unless you are sure they have a respiratory infection. Again the symptoms of respiratory infection are puffy running eyes and bubbles blowing out the nose. How warm are you keeping their encloser? The correct temp. is 80 to 86 degrees. Stars are very sensitive to long periods of high humidity so you want to keep that down. I agree with the vets. you talked to if they only have a runny nose occasionally and are eating well it's probably nothing to worry about. Just my opinions, I hope this helps. : : Tim : I just reread your original post and saw the part about raising the humidity. According to Jerry Walls (one of the best authorities on tortoises around) Star tortoises are very sensitive to high humidity. High humidity is the last thing you want with these tortoises. They should have water available at all times and be in a warm 80 to 86 degree low humidity environment. : Tim

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