Darwin

I just finished reading through this. I love rescue stories.
I bookmarked the webcam so I can try to catch some live action!

That video was awesome, he gets around, don't he!

He had another blood test done this week. Most levels are normal. Showing some signs of slight kidney damage probably from early in his life but nothing too bad. Going to keep offering him tons of extra water to keep him hydrated. He's been going with the Ronidizole for just over two weeks now. Going to add Baytril to the mix and give him two weeks of combined meds. If that doesn't help take out his flagellates then I think it's best if we stop trying and just let him be rather than risk damaging his systems with treatment.

Wow! After you mentioned that he was a rescue I had to check him out. You're awesome for saving him!! He's such a big boy now ^_^

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. I'm sorry to hear about the slight kidney damage. I agree with you about the meds, though, but hopefully this mix works finally.

He's done so well in your care, everything a dragon could want. Spoiled like mine :mrgreen: But that's why we have dragons, right?

Have a wonderful 2017!

Hi. How is Darwin? How is the flagellates treatment going? Does he still have the extra watery poop? I've been dealing with similar for 5 months now. I think we are off to the vet again for more tests soon.

He got 25 days of the Ronidizole and 10 days of Baytril. I stopped before the 14 days prescribed because he started acting lethargic and had a black beard. I know it may have just been upset stomach from the meds but I'm overly paranoid about it and 10 days is a common dose of Baytril anyway. Now he's still getting plenty of water (10ml or so spread across the day) with probiotics mixed in it. His energy is up and his black beard is gone. Still not eating as much as usual. Will give it a few weeks before judging if it helped or not. If not, I think I'll just keep him well hydrated to protect his systems and stop further treatment.

Did your vet run a fresh fecal sample under a microscope? If not, that's the way to test for them. Try to trigger a poop at the vet's office and put a sample right under a microscope. It's very easy to see the flagellates moving about.

No fresh fecal at the vets yet. I'm not sure exactly how I would get him to do it on command. Lol

I am happy to report that both my dragons have gained a good amount of weight. Larry (8mo) is 400g and Ozzie (~20 mo) is 500g! I think Larry was like 25g when we got him

About how much does a blood test cost? Just a ballpark.
Thanks

My vet was able to coax a poop by using a well lubed q-tip and massaging Darwin's vent. A vet should only do this if they are familiar with the procedure though. You need to go back toward the tail first and then forward to not cause damage. Since Darwin is on a daily schedule we just set the vet appointment for around the time he usually goes and it did the trick.

The cost for testing can vary quite a bit. A microscopic fecal exam at my vet cost $25.75. A full blood test sent to a reptile specific test facility cost $97. A blood test done for Cooper at the University hospital in Urbana cost $35.63 done in their in house lab.

Those are good price. A fecal at the vet cost me $55!

That's really not too bad either. My vet costs are definitely on the low side based on what I've read over the years. I feel badly because my vet is really good with reptiles and has so much training and experience I'd happily pay more than the $40 she charges for a basic visit. I guess the market just doesn't drive reasonable fees for most vets unfortunately.

Its always nice to have a good herp vet around.

35$ for a blood test :shock: . I wish I could pay that! I had to fork over 168$ for a full panel test + roughly $60 for the checkup cost. I'm very happy Skipper hasn't had many issues.

I'm in the chicago suburbs and apparently the market here drives some high prices. My vet is the only good herp specialist around. Even the other clinics that "will see reptiles" charge a lot.

I paid $500 for a CT scan for Dundee. Most expensive single procedure so far but still worth every penny in my mind.

I have to tell you, I would too if I needed to.
He is a lucky dragon!

When I first adopted my dragons I spent over $300 at the vet getting check ups and tests.

Then I found you guys.