I have two spur thighed tortoises aged 2 years. One developed a bladder stone a few months back. This was confirmed by a vet at the animal hospital in Camden (xray), and op was discussed, but one days after much bathing the stone came out, she perked up, and started eating and exploring again. However, unfortunately she seems to perhaps have developed one again. She has slowed down, isn't lifting herself up, hides away when in the garden and doesn't eat much. Like last time. I am doing long baths, but to no avail so far. Loath to take her to the vet as pretty sure it is a bladder stone, and she didn't have any treatment suggestions last time (The op was discussed, and then she never got back to me!) . The other tortoise, cared for the same, has thrived always, puts on a nice amount of weight, eats weeds etc. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am worried she could be in pain? How long would you try it with the baths? The only other thing I've noticed is she has little white patches around her nostrils.

If a bladder stone is developing again, then there has to be a problem with husbandry that needs tweaking. If you are using the same regime as last time, then I would imagine it would re-occur :( The other thing of course, is that she did not pass the whole stone and the remaining stone is getting bigger, causing the problems you are seeing. I would definitley get back to the vet, or find another one and have her x-rayed as it is not going to resolve by itself. Stones can now be broken down in some cases by utrasound, so it is worth discussing this with your vet. I doubt the vet would get back to you without you phoning and asking to discuss the problem, I know mine would wait for me to contact them in such an event. She could well be in pain, in which case, I would act sooner, rather than later. I take it you water the substrate and keep it damp below the surface so that she can burrow and retain hydration this way. Not sure what is going on with the nostrils, but I would mention this to your vet too.

Hope this helps

Sue

www.tortsmad.com

Hi Sue,
Thanks very much for your reply. About the vet - I hounded her! After two sets of xrays she said she would refer to a more experienced vet in another practice and then discuss and I lost count of the number of messages I left. I suspect she didn't know quite what to do. I will take her somewhere else. Husbandry - the puzzle is the other is absolutely fine. The vet set set up good. I have a tortoise table, with 60w spot, uv strip, soil and sand substrate, water available and they are fed a diet of weeds. I am never sure quite how much to damp the substrate - don't want to overdo it. Is there anything else I should be doing I wonder? Thanks very much for your advice. Maxine