General Care Discussion :: I'm confused

[SpotsMama]

Somehow I missed that fact that you've got oral antibiotics. Is he taking them ok?

[Rickiew04]

She didn't give me any to take home. She only gave it to him when I took him in there.

[SpotsMama]

Well then, see what she'd think about your taking some oral antibiotics home.

[megcornell]

My turtle Leo was about 2.75 inches when I gave him shots. I just injected it under the skin in his arms, it wasn't easy or fun for either of us but the shots did wonders so hopefully your vet will prescribe them as well. Leo simply had a really dilute dosage that she got spread over a long period of time... and the needles were really small insulin needles, I forget the gauge, but there wasn't much risk of puncturing through even Leo's tiny arms
The reason my vet gave me injections was because turtles are very hard to medicate orally so she figured that this was a less risky option as there was a better chance of the meds actually making it into the turtle...

[industrial_girl_2000]

Hatchlings are pretty skiddish when you first get them, so it is unusual that you could go up to him & have to touch his foot before he moves off the basking platform.

Siobhan is more sluggish now that he is sick too. Normally he would go tearin' around the tank when I walked in the room where his tank is (swimming like crazy to go & hide!), but today he was floating more & moving more slowly & I could actually walk up to the tank before he would start moving.

Is Willy eating anything?

[Rickiew04]

Yea...Willy is eating...which is very good I hear. He is only slightly over and 1inch long, and when I took him to the vet last week, she said she had to give it to him orally because he was too small to do it through and injection. I wish there was a way I could do it that way. I just got home from school, and I went down to see how he was doing, and he pooped on his ramp, had bubbles popping from his nose, and his eye lids were puffy and white (not the residue I was talking about yesterday). Hopefully he can make it until his vet visit on thursday!!!

[mkoby]

I would try to move up his vet visit. My first hatchling was that little and they sent me home with injections. I think it's just a guessing game with the dosage.

[grey goose]

Antibiotics is is called a "run" or series of shots, or oral medications. It's never a one shot deal. It takes time for the meds to take effect, I'd say find another vet or go back for more meds.......When they are very young it's a tough call, especially with injections, but one dosage is not enough, IMO.

[Rickiew04]

My first hatchling was that little and they sent me home with injections.

Thats interesting, I wonder why my vet told me he was too small. It really stinks waiting for the vet visit!

Is there anything else I can do to help him until his vet visit tomorrow? I have his water at 80degrees and I have his basking lights at about 90-91. I'm going to feed him in a little bit. Anything else I should do?

[industrial_girl_2000]

Rickiew04, good luck this week! Keep us posted...at least the vet did give him the Baytril. From what my vet told me, Baytril is a strong antibiotic which is fine for turts & knocks out most illnesses for them. I hope your baby shows improvement soon!

[Rickiew04]

So here's the update....

My mom took Willy to the vet today because I had school and couldn't take him. I guess I miss understood the vet last time. I thought she said that if he wasn't doing better, then she wanted to see him again. But she actually said that she did want to see him again, whether or not he was looking better. She was planning on giving him a series of antibiotics like everyone was telling me. So today she gave him more baytril, and I have another appointment monday for more. She said his symptoms do look like those of a RI. She said his head is a little swollen, which also is a sign of RI. So maybe she isn't such a "bad" vet after all. Hopefully Willy will come out of this afterall.

[SpotsMama]

That all sounds better. I really hope it works out. Some of the other tiny little ones with RI have pulled through after an aggressive round of antibiotics.

Keep us posted!

[Rickiew04]

Well, Willy has an appointment for another dose of anitbiotics tomorrow. He's not looking good at all! I can't wait to get the meds in him. Hopefully he can pull through!!! My whole family is getting attached to this little guy!!! I'm going to buy a test kit to test his water. I've just been reading about that, and maybe my water isn't the best for him, even though I've put reptisafe water conditioner in there. We'll see how things go.