Home

>

Reptile

>

I've had a leopard tortoise for 20 years. This year her shell has started turning upwards. Is this normal? Every thing else looks normal.

I've had a leopard tortoise for 20 years. This year her shell has started turning upwards. Is this normal? Every thing else looks normal.

Updated On August 28th, 2017

Pet's info:

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

Hi there. It would be most helpful if you could post some photos. Without seeing what you are referring to it makes it hard to say.... That being said, my guess is that you are talking about pyramiding which is not normal. It indicates a nutritional deficiency. Pyramiding is a form of metabolic bone disease (MBD). Usually if you push down on the shell it feels soft in places. If you want to post again with specifics about her diet and some photos that would be best. Take care!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

See More Answers

Related Questions

left image

I’m looking for advice with my 18 month old female Crested Gecko. This dark spot on her tail appeared after we came back from a vacation. Is this tail rot? Should I see an exotic vet or is there at home treatment I can provide?

Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. The end of the tail looks to be a healing injury to me. The tissue does not look necrotic (dead). I think you can try to treat it at home with this product: ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zymox-small-animal-topical-spray ) Use as directed on the label. If after a week or so, it is not improved or if it looks worse at any time then take Autum to an exotics vet for evaluation. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Read More

Hello. My door was open with a screen net and a raccoon came right up to the door making contact with my cat. Face to face. Is there a way for her to catch anything like that like rabies? Or does a cat have to get bitten for that? I immediately ran up and closed the door. The raccoon was coming to eat the bird seeds. Is there anything to worry about here?

Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco. Rabies is commonly spread through a bite wound. So there is very low risk of rabies transmission based on what you have described as making ocntact through a screen net. It isn't impossible because rabies is found in the saliva, just very unlikely in this scenario. Just keep an eye on your pet Kate for the next 7 days for any abnormal behavior (i.e. excessive vocalization, irrational behaivor, aggressive behavior, and if she is not up to date on her rabies vaccination, I would highly recommend getting her vaccinated asap. I hope that things work out well for your pet Kate moving forward. Best wishes and take care.

Read More

Hello! I’m inquiring about my 10 year old rabbit, Brownie. He has been diagnosed with synovial cell sarcoma or osteosarcoma of his left knee. There has been quite a progression of multiple fractures causing him pain in the knee. Our vet gave us two options: amputation of the leg to ease pain or continuing on and opting for palliative care with pain meds until end of life. How will his quality of life be post-surgery since he’s old? Is it worth going through with if he is a senior bunny?

Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Brownie. I'm so very sorry he has cancer. Domestic rabbits typically live between 8-12 years, so he is definitely a senior rabbit. The problem with osteosarcoma is that there is a high risk of metastatis (spreading) to other parts of the body, typically the lungs. I'm not sure if you have had x-rays done of his lungs, but there may be a chance it's already spread. There is a possibility that the spread may not show up on x-rays just yet as the cancer cells are too small to detect at the moment. I'm also not sure about his anesthetic risking, meaning that giving him anesthesia could be very risky at his age depending on his health. There is a lot to consider here, and I'm not sure how much life he would have left after surgery. Sometimes yes the surgery can be worth going through even in a senior animal, but there are other questions that need to be answered like if the cancer has spread and his anesthetic risk. I would discuss these questions with your vet, which will help you make your decision. Other things to consider is that it will take a number of weeks for him to recover from surgery, and that life expectancy after surgery is not very long, usually a couple of months. I would take that into consideration as well when making your decision. I can't tell you which way to go, but I do hope I've helped you with some things to consider. Again, I'm very sorry.

Read More

I got my tortoise 2 months ago and I've been trying to find a vet ever since. Which has been difficult in my area. He is a horsefeild tortoise and has cracks in his shell and on his plastron. I want to know how heal them and are they from injury or parasites??

Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. The damage to the plastron is most likely from either trauma or infection. I have never seen something like this due to parasites. You should really try to find a local veterinarian to examine him as he likely needs more in depth treatment than what you can provide at home with over the counter remedies. You may need to travel towards Green Bay in order to find a reptile veterinarian. I found a few in that area. Here is one of them: ( https://countrycareac.com/search-animal-reptiles/ ) ( https://countrycareac.com/medical-surgical/medical-surgical-reptiles/ ) While you are waiting to get him an appointment you can try using this spray on the affected areas once or twice daily: ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/microcyn-manna-pro-ahwound-and-skin-care-spray-for-all-animals ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Read More

We noticed this crusty lump like thing on my Guinea pig tonight, we really don’t have money to take her to a vet. Any advice helps

My best guess is that this could be ringworm however it is impossible to tell just by looking at a photo. I suggest you get this spray and apply it 2-3 times daily on the affected area. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-wound-and-skin-hydrogel-for-pets ) If after a week to 10 days it still is not resolving then you need to take her to a vet for an exam. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching her as ringworm, if it is that, is contagious to people.

Read More

My dog swallowed a small bird is it dangerous?

Hello. Asta should be just fine, although she might throw the bird up. There is a chance of stomach upset if the bird was already dead, so if anytime in the next few days Asta starts vomiting, develops diarrhea, stops eating or just seem to feel unwell, please contact your veterinarian for recommended treatment. Otherwise, her stomach should be able to digest a small bird. Thanks for contacting Boop by Petco.

Read More

right image
image

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored