Re: HELP!! should star have surgery or not?

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Posted by Annie Lancaster-TortoiseAid on March 21, 2001 at 21:54:26:

In Reply to: HELP!! should star have surgery or not? posted by ann on March 21, 2001 at 20:52:59:

Hi, has a pathology report been done on the abscesses that were already removed to determine what exactly they are, and what is causing them? (Virus, immune response problem, etc.) Also important, complete bloodwork (including FULL chemistry panel to check internal organs?

You may well want to know WHAT the cause is before you put yourself...your wallet, and this tortoise through any additional treatment.

Has this tortoise had any..and I do mean ANY contact with other tortoises? If so, what species, and how long ago?

Hard to say what this might be...I'm sorry your tortoise is having such a hard time. I wouldn't stress this poor animal anymore (with invasive procedures) until you have more difinitive answers to what may be causing this.

Where were the original abscesses? How large?

Yes, star torts do sometimes react to Baytril, but to my knowledge, it is a temporary reaction and I know of no fatalities. If this is viral however, antibiotics might not work and an entirely different plan of action is needed.

Annie

: my indian star tortise has had five abscesses removed about 1 1/2 months ago. the vet then put him on tetracycline antibiotics soaking him for about 20min twice a day. i brought him back to be reviewed by a senior vet how then put him on Baytril (which i found on the net that stars don't react well to and told the first vet), who said that because the doseage was low, it would not cause any problems. he then refused to eat and his abscesses got bigger. he has been in vet hospital for over a week now and is getting worse. they can't put a tube down his throat cos' of the abscesses there. the vet says that although he is now on gentamicin, he's not really responding and she recomends surgery to remove the abscesses, one under his eye and in his throat. and to make a hole at the side of his throat and put a stomach tube in. but in his weakend state (he hasn't eaten in weeks and has pooed once last week) should i agree to surgery or what else can i do? please help? i've had him for 5 years and don't want to lose him!! (and i've spent $350 on his treatment so far for the last 2-3 months, although money is not a concern, the surgery will cost an extra $250)

TortoiseAid

Follow Ups:

Re: HELP!! should star have surgery or not? ann 03/22/01 (5)
- Re: HELP!! should star have surgery or not? Alex 03/22/01 (3)
  - Re: HELP!! should star have surgery or not? ann 03/22/01 (2)
    - Re: HELP!! should star have surgery or not? Alex 03/23/01 (0)
    - My best wishes and prayers are with your baby n/p Esther 03/23/01 (0)
- Re: HELP!! should star have surgery or not? Tim 03/22/01 (0)

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: Hi, has a pathology report been done on the abscesses that were already removed to determine what exactly they are, and what is causing them? (Virus, immune response problem, etc.) Also important, complete bloodwork (including FULL chemistry panel to check internal organs? : You may well want to know WHAT the cause is before you put yourself...your wallet, and this tortoise through any additional treatment. : Has this tortoise had any..and I do mean ANY contact with other tortoises? If so, what species, and how long ago? : Hard to say what this might be...I'm sorry your tortoise is having such a hard time. I wouldn't stress this poor animal anymore (with invasive procedures) until you have more difinitive answers to what may be causing this. : Where were the original abscesses? How large? : Yes, star torts do sometimes react to Baytril, but to my knowledge, it is a temporary reaction and I know of no fatalities. If this is viral however, antibiotics might not work and an entirely different plan of action is needed. : Annie : : my indian star tortise has had five abscesses removed about 1 1/2 months ago. the vet then put him on tetracycline antibiotics soaking him for about 20min twice a day. i brought him back to be reviewed by a senior vet how then put him on Baytril (which i found on the net that stars don't react well to and told the first vet), who said that because the doseage was low, it would not cause any problems. he then refused to eat and his abscesses got bigger. he has been in vet hospital for over a week now and is getting worse. they can't put a tube down his throat cos' of the abscesses there. the vet says that although he is now on gentamicin, he's not really responding and she recomends surgery to remove the abscesses, one under his eye and in his throat. and to make a hole at the side of his throat and put a stomach tube in. but in his weakend state (he hasn't eaten in weeks and has pooed once last week) should i agree to surgery or what else can i do? please help? i've had him for 5 years and don't want to lose him!! (and i've spent $350 on his treatment so far for the last 2-3 months, although money is not a concern, the surgery will cost an extra $250)

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