Essential Care for Sick Tortoises: What You Need to Know

What do you do when you have a tortoise that is not feeling well? To date, very few pharmacokinetic studies have been published in reptiles. These studies have been limited to only a few antibiotics.

To date, all studies have been conducted on snakes, turtles, and crocodilians. There have been no pharmacokinetic studies done on lizards.

There are a number of factors that must be considered when choosing an antibiotic.

The results of microbiological culture and sensitivity testing are crucial. The species being treated is another consideration. Consider the patient’s physical condition as well. Frequency of administration affects outcomes. The cost of the therapy should be evaluated, too. Don’t forget owner compliance and other factors. They all play a significant role.

The veterinary clinician must have a thorough understanding of reptile physiology and biology before administering medications.

All reptiles are ectotherms. Their metabolism is temperature-dependent. So, they will often react unpredictably to the same drug in different settings.

A good working knowledge of the common species of reptiles is crucial. Understanding their life histories and peculiarities will help prevent potential disasters during therapy.

General considerations: Before treatment begins, the patient should undergo a thorough exam. This includes a CBC and serum profile with a uric acid test to assess hydration status.

Dehydrated or hyperuricemic patients should be properly rehydrated before initiating therapy. It is a rare case that cannot wait for one to two days to guarantee appropriate hydration before treatment.

If treatment must be instigated right away for some reason, the practitioner should choose a non-nephrotoxic drug. Another important consideration is the ambient temperature of the reptile’s environment.

Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that an increase in ambient temperature tends to increase the volume of distribution. It also tends to increase the body clearance of the drug.

A decrease in ambient temperature leads to a decrease in body clearance. This change allows a build-up in the concentration of the drug. Without a decrease in dosing, the concentration reaches toxic levels.