A POORLY tortoise from Warrington has undergone complex surgery which included cutting a hole in its shell.

Flash, a red-footed tortoise, received a thorough examination after her owners Pete and Janice Faulkner brought her into Rutland House Veterinary Hospital in St Helens.

X-ray and ultrasound scans revealed that the 13-year-old had follicular stasis, a condition where undeveloped eggs remain in the body which could have made her gravely ill if not treated.

Dr Varga Smith leads the department dedicated to looking after exotic species, which include birds, reptiles and small mammals, at Rutland House Vets and carried out surgery to spay Flash who had also suffered from follicular stasis two years before.

The delicate operation involved carefully cutting an access hole in Flash’s lower shell with a saw and surgically removing the follicles and her ovaries.

Registered veterinary nurse Craig Tessyman, who works alongside Dr Varga Smith in the exotics team, monitored the reptile while she was anaesthetised, using a ventilator to effectively breathe for her while constantly checking her heart and oxygen levels. Flash also had a feeding tube fitted so that she could have nutrition and medication, if required.

Warrington Guardian:

Flash’s shell was secured back into place with dental acrylic – the material used to create dentures -which will stay in place for several years.

Dr Varga Smith, who is an RCVS-recognised specialist in zoo and wildlife medicine at Rutland House Vets, said the exotic department spays up to 15 tortoises each year.

She said: “It is not unusual for tortoises to have follicular stasis, but people don’t realise we can do something about it. Many other reptiles get similar issues, and we can also look after them here at Rutland House Vets as well.

“We spayed Flash and removed the eggs and the ovaries. She stayed in overnight so we could monitor her and went home the day after surgery. She started eating straight away which is great and has made a good recovery.”

Flash quickly settled back at home in Warrington and her owners have praised the team for their treatment and aftercare.

Warrington Guardian:

Janice said: “When Flash had the same problem two years ago, Molly looked after her really well and, on that occasion, the follicles went away on their own.

“This was the second time it had happened so they said it would be best to operate. I was shocked when I saw how many follicles there were after the operation.

“I know Molly and Craig give a lot of aftercare and I have a lot of faith in them.

“My husband bought Flash for me as a birthday present as I used to have one as a child, and I love her to bits. She has a good personality – you can tickle her under her chin – and we have her in the living room where we can see her, and she can see us. She is part of our little family.”