I know I am old and confused but, a few answers please!!!:innocentwhistle:
Herpes in tortoise's is it only in Meds or do other species get it as well?
By what I have read did it start in Horsfield's and has jumped species?
Is it Fatal in the end, or do or can they recover?
Sorry I am having a serious moment?
(03-08-2010 09:04 AM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]I know I am old and confused but, a few answers please!!!:innocentwhistle:
Herpes in tortoise's is it only in Meds or do other species get it as well?
By what I have read did it start in Horsfield's and has jumped species?
Is it Fatal in the end, or do or can they recover?
Sorry I am having a serious moment?
As far as I am aware it can effect all species and is always fatal
Janet
(03-08-2010 03:14 PM)Sammytort Wrote: [ -> ] (03-08-2010 09:04 AM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]I know I am old and confused but, a few answers please!!!:innocentwhistle:
Herpes in tortoise's is it only in Meds or do other species get it as well?
By what I have read did it start in Horsfield's and has jumped species?
Is it Fatal in the end, or do or can they recover?
Sorry I am having a serious moment?
As far as I am aware it can effect all species and is always fatal
Janet
That is right Janet and why we MUST be careful where we get new torts from and about mixing with already established torts. Personally I will never rehome another tortoise with my present ones, as there is no way of guaranteeing the new one has not been affected, unless of course it is a long term captive tortoies that has not been with any introductions or to any holding area prior to being rehomed.
Sorry! More questions, I just want to understand it more. So did it start in Horsfields?
If you barrier nursed them could you re home them - or would be kinder to put them to sleep?
(03-08-2010 04:31 PM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]Sorry! More questions, I just want to understand it more. So did it start in Horsfields?
If you barrier nursed them could you re home them - or would be kinder to put them to sleep?
No, it has been present in many imported tortoises for many years but problems have escalated recently with the increase of imports and the advent of large holding areas in the pet trade, where ignorance mainly has caused so much cross contamination - if you look in the Tortsmad files area there is a statement by a vet explaining it in more detail. It's not one of those diseases where barrier nursing would help (IMHO) as it is progressive and usually leads to a painful death. It's not the same as herpes in humans in that it does not lie dormant for years waiting for a trigger and then can be supressed with antivirals - it kills
Personally I would not want to rehome affected animals as you could never be sure that the new owner would isolate them completely and to be honest it would seem unkind to me to have to keep them indoors. Also in the event of the tortoise outliving it's owners or it having to be rehomed for other reasons, the devastation that could be caused by passing them on to other collections would be just awful
Most vets would advise euthanasia.
Thanks Sue. I have heard of an organization barrier nursing sick torts with Herpes and then re homing!!!!!! Surely this is dangerous. Would it not be wise to have them Euthanasia?
very interesting... i too know somewhere that has been barrier nursing tortoises, definately horsefields and i think she also has some hermann's, i am also now thinking that instead of barrier nursing the torts in question they should be euthanised, seems a bit kinder
(03-08-2010 07:31 PM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks Sue. I have heard of an organization barrier nursing sick torts with Herpes and then re homing!!!!!! Surely this is dangerous. Would it not be wise to have them Euthanasia?
Well it must be the most awful decision to make and hopefully I never will, but I do think the kindest thing is to stop the possibility of it spreading for good. I think many of us have probably been very lucky where this is concerned and I for one can only be thankful for that. Just be very careful everyone and remember that no matter how careful people might think they have been, it's not worth taking unecessary risks.
(03-08-2010 09:23 PM)wilsonathome Wrote: [ -> ]very interesting... i too know somewhere that has been barrier nursing tortoises, definately horsefields and i think she also has some hermann's, i am also now thinking that instead of barrier nursing the torts in question they should be euthanised, seems a bit kinder
Sometimes it does not matter what reputation you have gained there are still some who do not necessarily know their a***s from their elbows. It reminds me of a woman who I used to know who did voluntary help for the RS**A and told a neighbour of some horses that it was perfectly OK to throw grass cuttings over the fence for them if she thought they were underfed - one died and the other had to have an op. Nothing was said as she thought she was doing her best!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks Sue for the replies. I have Pm'd you.