Re: Herpes Virus Infection Associated with Lymphoma in Testudo

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Posted by Debbie on March 03, 2002 at 16:12:35:

In Reply to: Re: Herpes Virus Infection Associated with Lymphoma in Testudo posted by Bill Griffin on March 03, 2002 at 15:08:27:

Bill,

The herpes virus, in my experience is activated in stressed specimens. Groups of seemingly healthy tortoises can carry this virus symptom free and when stress is introduced into the equation the animal becomes ill and displays many clinical symptoms. I have not seen puss in the oral cavity of tortoises that I have worked with during outbreaks of this virus. Dehydration is a main concern because the animal has a difficult time swallowing because of the possible involvement of the esophogus. Many times because of the depressed immune system bacterial organisms take over and can lead to septicemia and death occurs as a result. Animals carrying the herpes virus showing an outbreak are very often stressed due to innappropriate environmental conditions,the outbreak of another illness, etc. The virus itself usually doesn't show symptoms unless one or more of these conditions are present and death usually occurs from bacterial involvement or dehydration, in my experience. You said after a few baytril injections the respiratory infection seemed to have subsided. A few injections of antibiotics in my experience is never enough to cure a respiratory infection and many times antibiotics can be needed for weeks and months.

Herpes virus can lead to neurological impairment. Symptoms include a twitching of the head. This twitching may or may not be caused because the herpes virus is present or neurological impairment has occured. I have seen this in animals as a result of a quick response from being startled. It is a symptom when noted that I pay particular attention to in the animal.

In my experience with this virus I have seen deaths from the wasting away of the animal. Muscle deterioration occurs, loss of the use of the limbs, weight decline and severe infection have always been present; many cases septicemia has been present as well.

There are antivirals that are used in children with viruses such as chicken pox. It is unknown from my understanding whether the use of these meds has really any benefit in treating outbreaks of the virus in tortoises. There is no cure for the virus and the only treatment for the virus is to treat the symptoms and supportive care of the animal during an outbreak.

It is possible that your tortoise doesn't carry this virus and is only suffering from a severe respiratory infection due to hibernation. It is not uncommon if tortoises are not hibernated at correct temps to come out of hibernation with respiratory infections. Parasitic infections, if present prior to hibernation can also be a problem, but from the symptoms you are describing it sounds like antibiotics are needed as is supportive care.

Debbie

: She doesn't look to good, although she is breathing, and her legs withdrawel into her she when you touch them. I let her sit in water today, she did not drink, but I think the water was a help. Her eyes are a bit sunken. I will continue my research, I was able to get some Flagyl into her - thinking maybe a build up of parasites over the winter, could be the cause - I will just have to wait until the vet gets to see her - that is if she lasts until tomarrow.

: Thanks for the advice/help.

: Bill Griffin

:
: : It could be as you suspect as far as the breathing.
: : Another consideration is something neurological. There are some parasites that can cause neurological problems. I've seen similar behaviors on two occasions. The outcome was not good.
: : Ed

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Thanks everyone for the information/advices - more... Bill Griffin 03/04/02 (1)
- Re: Thanks everyone for the information/advices - more... EJ 03/04/02 (0)
Thanks everyone for the information/advices - more... Bill Griffin 03/04/02 (0)

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: Bill, : The herpes virus, in my experience is activated in stressed specimens. Groups of seemingly healthy tortoises can carry this virus symptom free and when stress is introduced into the equation the animal becomes ill and displays many clinical symptoms. I have not seen puss in the oral cavity of tortoises that I have worked with during outbreaks of this virus. Dehydration is a main concern because the animal has a difficult time swallowing because of the possible involvement of the esophogus. Many times because of the depressed immune system bacterial organisms take over and can lead to septicemia and death occurs as a result. Animals carrying the herpes virus showing an outbreak are very often stressed due to innappropriate environmental conditions,the outbreak of another illness, etc. The virus itself usually doesn't show symptoms unless one or more of these conditions are present and death usually occurs from bacterial involvement or dehydration, in my experience. You said after a few baytril injections the respiratory infection seemed to have subsided. A few injections of antibiotics in my experience is never enough to cure a respiratory infection and many times antibiotics can be needed for weeks and months. : Herpes virus can lead to neurological impairment. Symptoms include a twitching of the head. This twitching may or may not be caused because the herpes virus is present or neurological impairment has occured. I have seen this in animals as a result of a quick response from being startled. It is a symptom when noted that I pay particular attention to in the animal. : In my experience with this virus I have seen deaths from the wasting away of the animal. Muscle deterioration occurs, loss of the use of the limbs, weight decline and severe infection have always been present; many cases septicemia has been present as well. : There are antivirals that are used in children with viruses such as chicken pox. It is unknown from my understanding whether the use of these meds has really any benefit in treating outbreaks of the virus in tortoises. There is no cure for the virus and the only treatment for the virus is to treat the symptoms and supportive care of the animal during an outbreak. : It is possible that your tortoise doesn't carry this virus and is only suffering from a severe respiratory infection due to hibernation. It is not uncommon if tortoises are not hibernated at correct temps to come out of hibernation with respiratory infections. Parasitic infections, if present prior to hibernation can also be a problem, but from the symptoms you are describing it sounds like antibiotics are needed as is supportive care. : : Debbie : : She doesn't look to good, although she is breathing, and her legs withdrawel into her she when you touch them. I let her sit in water today, she did not drink, but I think the water was a help. Her eyes are a bit sunken. I will continue my research, I was able to get some Flagyl into her - thinking maybe a build up of parasites over the winter, could be the cause - I will just have to wait until the vet gets to see her - that is if she lasts until tomarrow. : : Thanks for the advice/help. : : Bill Griffin : : : : : It could be as you suspect as far as the breathing. : : : Another consideration is something neurological. There are some parasites that can cause neurological problems. I've seen similar behaviors on two occasions. The outcome was not good. : : : Ed

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