I posted a few days ago that I was concerned about the laboured breathing of a mature female ibera.  Just got back from vet after having two torts checked over. Good news, firstly, both feeding, secondly laboured breathing stopped, thirdly...both given clean bill of health. Vet checked weights, eyes, mouth and nose, joints, cloaca. Listened to breathing and then watched them moving about for some considerable time. He was very reassuring, and thought that the torts were in good order for their age, but asked me to phone him with an update in a week... now that is good old- fashioned service from a young, but well -informed vet. Needless to say I am relieved, but still glad I took them for checking. Now I look forward to getting them out in their new enclosure, still under development. I hope your torts are all feeding well  now after their hibernation, and bleak winter. David near York

Thats good to hear David, thanks for keeping us updated.

By the way, the vet sounds good, is he a tortoise specialist and is he on our vet list?

Regards vivienne

Hi Dave
That is really good news, I bet you are relieved
I try to observe the behaviour each year when Molly wakes up so I don't panic the next year, but they seem to do different movements each year, It's nice when you know they have pulled through and everything working as it should do, you get on enjoying them again. Sounds like you have a good vet which really helps.
Hopefully we will be having a good weather this week-end that certainly gives them a kick start.
Jane, Keya & Molly

The vet I used was very clued up on chelonians. He took time to explains lots of possible causes of post hibernation issues. I have since checked with him and he is happy for me to mention him by name. Andy (Forsyth) is the exotics vet working at Battle Flatts surgery near York. Google will find him. In the meantime I am monitoring both torts closely, and working on their outdoor enclosure... ready for those long hot days!

                              David nr York

Hi Dave
Yes we have been busy too. Updated the tort house again this year, decided to invest in a shed, making life so much easier for us as well as the torts. The other one was not very high so we had to stoop down and walk out back wards  now we can walk upright which makes it easy getting to the torts. Hubbie has been busy with the electrics so  we are up and running now.
York is along way from me which is a pity, our local vet has just employed a vet who keen on tortoises and some themselves so hopefully they will be good.
Here's hoping for those sunny days
Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi Jane, is your new vet on the list?  I am going to go through the list and update it.

Regards Vivienne