Probable ear infection

Hi all.

Now that they seem to have turned the corner with the acutely lethal phase of their hypocalcemia/malnutrition/dehydration/electrolyte imbalance, one of our remaining rescued babies may have an inner ear infection. Head tilted, moving to left, tips over on log, etc. Will be calling vet in morning. Listed as exotic vet, but don't know how good they are w/reptiles. I don't want to potentially get mislead. Do any of you know which antibiotic(s) r used for beardies? The other hurdle will be dosage since she's only about 25 g, but we'll cross that when we get there.

After 10 weeks and having lost 8 siblings one by one due to seizures as a result of the calcium deficiency/electrolyte imbalance and having gotten both of these to grow (2 sheds each!) and hunt entirely independently, I'll be d*&^%d if I'll lose another because of an ear infection and don't want to waste time on a lame vet.

Thanks!
Frank

Frank
Where are you from? Maybe we can suggest a good reptile vet in your area.

One of the antibiotics commonly used for ear infection is baytril. You are correct, the dosage is going to have to be very carefully calculated because this dragon is so very tiny. Let us know what they vet is prescribing and I would highly suggested sending a PM to Tracie (drachie613) with the med and dosage details, she's an excellent source for this and can tell you based on weight and age as well as diagnosis if the vet is dosing correctly and with the right med.

Thanks for the reply. I live in Hammond, IN. The only exotic vet I know of is about 45 minutes away near Hobart, IN. Chicago is also an option. I was able to get into my vet first thing tomorrow morning. I used to work for her, so if I have a recommended dosing schedule when I take Plum in, she'll work with me. However, this will be totally new to her, as she's never had a beardie in her practice. So, unless she can find the info in her reference library, she would be flying blind. I'll contact Tracie about the dosing schedule.

Thanks.

Frank.

Tracie has a lot of good info on dosing. I'm familiar with most of the meds and some of the doses. Your guy is so little though I am hesitant to make a recommendation. I would have to look back in some of my info then figure out the dose for you (figuring the dosage for something so small is a little more difficult than the childrens dosages I figure out all day long at work). I would also suggest making sure you keep the basking spot in that 105F range, or a degree or two higher, but you will have to be very diligent about hydration since you have been battling this previously. Also, I would get some soy yogurt to help balance out the gut flora once anti-biotics are started. It'll help get the digestive system back on track. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, Sandy. Tracie has emailed me and has offered to help. We're off to the vet now. I'll let you know how it goes and get with Tracie on the exact concentration my vet offers when I get home.

Frank

Frank how is everything?

Lance, Sandy, et. al.

Sorry to keep you all hanging. Here's the update. My vet prescribed some gentamycin and Tracie says the dose looks good. We're going to have to keep our fingers crossed that:
1. It's an ear infection and this clears it up.
2. The antibiotic doesn't cause a massive die-off of gut bacteria and the ensuing diarrhea finishes her off. We'll get Pedialyte and soy-yogurt and keep both pumped through her the whole time.

We've also upped the cage temp a few degrees as per both Sandy's (I think) recommendation and the vet's. We have a good gradient, so she can choose whatever temp she likes and she has been staying at the hot end since this started on her own accord. Now, we dose her and wait. If this successfully clears up the infection, I'll post the dosage and concentration so it will be in the archives for future reference.

BTW: I discovered that my vet, who used to delight in torturing me by constantly sticking me with the cases which had internal and external parasites (about the only thing in the world I'm squeamish about), who I have seen stoically debride cases of massive gangrene while I lost my lunch, whose first job was on a commercial pig farm is TERRIFIED of reptiles! :lol: She wouldn't even touch my 38.7g beardie LMFAO!! She actually had her new vet deal with Plum! We've been friends for 22 years and every once in a while, it's my turn. Score 1 for the home team!

Anyway, wish us luck!
Frank

Frank
I'm glad you could get in touch with Tracie and that she could verify the dose and med for you. Yes, gentamycin will work for that-I believe it's a little less harsh than baytril as well (though any anti-biotic reeks havoc on their digestive tract). Definately keep up the yogurt to try to balance out the gut flora and pedialyte for the electrolytes and hyderation. The reason for boosting temps is that it helps boost the immune system a little-everything will help. I think your baby has a good chance of coming through this, you seem pretty determined and you have made huge efforts to find the info you need. That's awesome on your part!

It's cool that you could pull one over on your vet! LMAO! Not too many vets are skittish of beardies. My vet loves them (has one of her own, and has bred them in the past) and she can't wait to get ahold of my dragons when I bring them in! Maybe someday you'll help her get past that fear and she'll be hooked on them. Tell her it's good practice for her!

We'll keep you in our thoughts! Keep us posted on how she's doing!

It looks like Plum may be turning the corner Pun intended. Her head tilt seems to be levelling out. It still tilts when she turns to strike a roach, but at rest, she almost looks normal. No diarrhea so far and she loves strawberry soy yogurt. I'll let you all know if she achieves complete resolution of the problem.

Frank

I had a little one with an ear infection.
Gave antibiotics for 10 days and he was fine.
stoped head tilt the whole 9

Frank
Sounds like your girl is doing better! Glad to hear it! Keep it up, she'll be healthy and strong soon.

I was told that dairy (yogurt) is not good for beardies. I use Benebac (acidolphilus) to restore the beneficial gut flora (bacteria). DON'T use it at the same time as the antibiotics. Give the antibiotics in the morning and the benebac, in the evening, so they don't interfere with each other.

Emerald

he is using soy yogurt which is non dairy.

Still showing signs of slow improvement, but also still somwhat tilted. I hope no permanent damage results.

Yes, I'm using soy yogurt and it is correct that dairy products are no good for beardies.

Frank.

What brand names does Soy Yogurt go under? Where do you buy it? Thanks.

Emerald