lele
Hatchling Member
A bit long, but want to give as much history as possible…
Darwin hatched Feb 10th 2005. (will be 8 in a couple weeks). I have had him since 2 1/2 months old.
He is 17" long, weighs 374g. His best weight was 434g in Dec 2006. Dropped to 400g & below around mid 2007.
He is a Citrus Translucent and his lineage is from Fire & Ice, though I did not get him from them, I have his bloodline. We did not know he was a translucent until I noticed some things (“see-thru” skin, black eyes). His, brother (only surviving hatch mate) died at about 1 year or so and I think weighed less than 100g (can get details).
Has always had Reptisun 5 or 10 (depending on tank depth) change as required. Has a long history of being a "poor-doer." He was not a great eater even as a baby. I never got him tested for AV due to testing variability (back then) and seemed it would not have changed any of the care I do anyway. He has been well cared for, hand fed pretty much now with homemade slurries (veggies and/or critical care/repti-aid). I try, usually to no avail, to get his weight up before brumating, but each year it is more and more difficult.
His brumating has typically been 4-7 days max under his log in spurts over the winter. This year it was longer, I figured age. I took him out for weight check and hydration and he seemed more “off” than usual. He has stayed out, normal low energy, but now is reluctant to move except to get himself “just” out of basking light but no farther. His muscle tone is pretty much diminished in all legs. Back in 2007 my vet asked if he every pulled himself up when he walked (belly often on or near ground).
Although he has always had proper lighting, CaD3, temps, etc. to stave off MBD he still has had some problems (he has a healed fracture near his hip. Looking back in photos, it always looked slightly “misaligned”). I often wondered if it was an absorption issue from the possibility of the virus, but this is why I have done a variety of regimens (including probiotics, acidophilus, reptaid, CA glubionate). He was born w/2 kinks in his tail (has straightened considerably) and one has now developed a small (hard) bump on it).
After reviewing more recent article on atadenovirus, one thing I came across was a photo of fluid in coelum. I have sort of been “teasing” Darwin for having a big belly for such a skinny guy – then I saw this image from article (this is not Darwin, but could be)
We went to the vet yesterday. Before I said anything about his belly, he mentioned it. We did an x-ray to compare to last (4/2011). Bone density is good (always has been), tail/hip looked pretty much the same, ribs looked a bit different, not as well formed(?) structured. He pooped right there and it was clean. As for fluid, could not see any variability so does feel ab. has fluid, however last x-ray (4/11) shows same.
We discussed testing for AV, but I wanted to check here about actual cost, etc. (I have been unemployed since last April and my vet bills are nearly $1000 after caring for, and losing, a cat with cancer).
I found the DNA/PCR test fee from UoF at $100 (yikes!) I absolutely cannot afford this. Is there a cheaper way and should I even bother at this point. That said, we are concerned about the possible fluid in his belly. Should we do blood panel first instead?
I have read the PATs page http://www.thepats.info/Adenovirus_Testing.html and I am not a breeder.
Any thoughts on abdomen, testing/not or questions about history/care I may have left out that is pertinent.
Thanks,
lele
Darwin hatched Feb 10th 2005. (will be 8 in a couple weeks). I have had him since 2 1/2 months old.
He is 17" long, weighs 374g. His best weight was 434g in Dec 2006. Dropped to 400g & below around mid 2007.
He is a Citrus Translucent and his lineage is from Fire & Ice, though I did not get him from them, I have his bloodline. We did not know he was a translucent until I noticed some things (“see-thru” skin, black eyes). His, brother (only surviving hatch mate) died at about 1 year or so and I think weighed less than 100g (can get details).
Has always had Reptisun 5 or 10 (depending on tank depth) change as required. Has a long history of being a "poor-doer." He was not a great eater even as a baby. I never got him tested for AV due to testing variability (back then) and seemed it would not have changed any of the care I do anyway. He has been well cared for, hand fed pretty much now with homemade slurries (veggies and/or critical care/repti-aid). I try, usually to no avail, to get his weight up before brumating, but each year it is more and more difficult.
His brumating has typically been 4-7 days max under his log in spurts over the winter. This year it was longer, I figured age. I took him out for weight check and hydration and he seemed more “off” than usual. He has stayed out, normal low energy, but now is reluctant to move except to get himself “just” out of basking light but no farther. His muscle tone is pretty much diminished in all legs. Back in 2007 my vet asked if he every pulled himself up when he walked (belly often on or near ground).
Although he has always had proper lighting, CaD3, temps, etc. to stave off MBD he still has had some problems (he has a healed fracture near his hip. Looking back in photos, it always looked slightly “misaligned”). I often wondered if it was an absorption issue from the possibility of the virus, but this is why I have done a variety of regimens (including probiotics, acidophilus, reptaid, CA glubionate). He was born w/2 kinks in his tail (has straightened considerably) and one has now developed a small (hard) bump on it).
After reviewing more recent article on atadenovirus, one thing I came across was a photo of fluid in coelum. I have sort of been “teasing” Darwin for having a big belly for such a skinny guy – then I saw this image from article (this is not Darwin, but could be)
We went to the vet yesterday. Before I said anything about his belly, he mentioned it. We did an x-ray to compare to last (4/2011). Bone density is good (always has been), tail/hip looked pretty much the same, ribs looked a bit different, not as well formed(?) structured. He pooped right there and it was clean. As for fluid, could not see any variability so does feel ab. has fluid, however last x-ray (4/11) shows same.
We discussed testing for AV, but I wanted to check here about actual cost, etc. (I have been unemployed since last April and my vet bills are nearly $1000 after caring for, and losing, a cat with cancer).
I found the DNA/PCR test fee from UoF at $100 (yikes!) I absolutely cannot afford this. Is there a cheaper way and should I even bother at this point. That said, we are concerned about the possible fluid in his belly. Should we do blood panel first instead?
I have read the PATs page http://www.thepats.info/Adenovirus_Testing.html and I am not a breeder.
Any thoughts on abdomen, testing/not or questions about history/care I may have left out that is pertinent.
Thanks,
lele