FW: [Turtle_Homes] ‘Hatchling Failure Syndrome’ Research

[Michelle E. McGuffin]

Hi all, I received this on another egroup to which I belong and thought it may be of interest to some members of this group. Perhaps some of you may even wish to offer your experiences to the study. I do have one hatchling that is very slow growing but he seems fine otherwise… so I myself have nothing to offer. It could benefit us all should they learn anything. Thanks, Michelle —–Original Message—– From: tortoisetrust@… [mailto:tortoisetrust@…] Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 8:28 AM To: tortoisetrust@yahoogroups.com Cc: Turtle_Homes@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Turtle_Homes] ‘Hatchling Failure Syndrome’ Research The problem often known as ‘Hatchling failure Syndrome’ frequently causes great distress to keepers. It is typically characterised by the following pattern: * Poor growth * Lethargy, locomotion disorders * Hypocalcaemia (despite provision of adequate dietary calcium and good dietary management) * Renal and heart symptoms * In a percentage of cases, evident physical deformity * Possible immune disorders This is a problem that many keepers have experienced (or may experience) at some time. When it does occur, there is a natural tendency to seek to blame oneself or one’s husbandry practices… certainly, in some instances there may be a connection, but these instances are usually very easy to identify. The fact is that this condition occurs – seemingly at random – in the collections of highly successful, experienced and long-time keepers with a proven track record of rearing healthy juveniles. In these instances, it is very clear that simple husbandry practices are not directly responsible. This is a subject that we have taken a special interest in for some considerable time. As part of our on-going research effort into this issue, we will shortly be making available a detailed questionnaire that we would like keepers who have experienced distressing losses that may be defined in this way to complete. All personal data will be kept 100% confidential and will not be shared or released. We are simply looking for certain statistical data on the distribution of symptoms and vererinary/environmental and dietary histories of affected hatchlings. If you have had this experience at any time over the last 5 years, it would greatly assist us if you would consider taking part in this survey. Please email me directly at : _ttinstitute@…_ (mailto:ttinstitute@…) if you would like to do so. Considerable progress has been made recently in this research. Further investigations, including advanced veterinary tests are also now being planned. The more data we have from affected breeders, the better our chances of one day being able to diminish the impact of this problem on private breeders and conservation breeding efforts alike. Sincerely, Andy Highfield _http://www.tortoisetrust.org_ (http://www.tortoisetrust.org/) – Tortoise Trust Main Website _http://www.ttinstitute.co.uk_ (http://www.ttinstitute.co.uk/) – Courses and Training _http://www.carapacepress.com_ (http://www.carapacepress.com/) – Books and Videos — No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.7.4 – Release Date: 1/25/2005

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