There are times I read a letter and can almost immediately come up with one or two possibilities for the symptoms the writer describes. Then there are letters like the one I am addressing today.

Plop is a 12-year-old Sulcata tortoise who has lived in Todd's back yard since she was about 4 inches long. She is now 18 inches long and weighs 40 pounds. She spends days grazing and digging and nights in a modified doghouse. She has been in good health for 12 years, Todd said.

Apparently, Plop has decided to stop eating. As you might imagine from her size, eating has always been one of Plop's great talents except for the past few weeks, when her appetite has been reduced to nothing. Todd reports that Plop does not appear ill and her activity appears normal.

I do not recall a less specific symptom of disease than inappetence. In reptiles, inappetence is often the only symptom of a brewing problem. This is especially true in the early stages of a disease process.

Because reptiles are routine-oriented, it's good to learn their habits. Deviation from an established routine is potentially an indicator of a disease process, and the list of known disease processes in reptiles fills books.

The next step is to ask the patient what seems to be the trouble. Upon the realization that this is likely a question our tortoise cannot answer, the investigation process needs to begin. This is a bit tongue in cheek, but it truly is a challenge in veterinary medicine. Animals simply cannot contribute a patient history. This is why diagnostic procedures are often necessary.

Plop needs to see a veterinarian for a physical examination, radiographs, blood work and a fecal examination for bacteria and parasites. The radiographs especially can be quite revealing. Sulcata tortoises are curious creatures and will often eat things that are really not in the food category. Some of these things can be harmful. I recall a recent case in which a Sulcata had ingested a disposable cigarette lighter. His only symptom was lack of appetite. Once we surgically removed the lighter from his stomach, he was back to his voracious self. I have seen cases in which female tortoises stop eating when they are producing eggs. Radiographs can show the eggs.

Blood work can be helpful in identifying problems with organ systems, such as liver or kidney disease. We also sometimes can note evidence of infection with blood work. All of these possible problems can result in loss of appetite.

Intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth in the digestive tract can lead to loss of appetite. These problems can be discovered with a fecal examination. Again, this is an investigation, and with each test, clues are had and, hopefully in Plop's case, these clues will lead to a diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment and ultimately a return of her appetite.

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(Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352.)

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© 2008, The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.).
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