Littlebuddysmomma
Member
Hi everyone. I took Cookie for her first vet visit the other day, just for a checkup. I drove an hour to a reputable exotics vet. To my delight, he said she looks perfectly healthy! He asked me questions about my setup and how I feed her, and he said everything sounded perfect and that he could tell I had done my research (proud momma moment!!!). He said she's a healthy weight and does not seem to be dehydrated or anything. My only concern was that in the past few weeks, her appetite has decreased a bit. She's still eating, but it's much less than she used to. I can only get her to eat every other day now. She does not seem to be losing weight. I'm assuming it's probably because she's getting older (the last time I freaked out due to changes, it was just her growing up!). So, I had brought along a fecal sample which they sent out to test for parasites, and he also did a test for Adenovirus just to be safe. I have not gotten the results back for either test yet, but should have them either today or tomorrow.
My worry now is that this morning, I'm noticing that her vent is very swollen. Could this be from the vet doing the swab for the Adenovirus test?
What I'm mostly seeing online is that it's usually from trying to lay. She's a little young (approaching one year), but I know it's possible. However, she hasn't exhibited other behaviors that would really indicate that to me, like no frantic digging or scratching. Also, shouldn't my vet have notified me if she was gravid?
I'm worried she might be in some pain, so I'm wondering if anyone has any insight for me. It was really quite alarming when I noticed it. I'm about to give her a nice warm bath to soak in. Should I take her to another vet? Maybe try putting her in her lay box? I set one up awhile back so I do have one ready.
Cookie's Care Specs:
-48x18x18 tank
-34in Reptisun 10.0 T5 HO
-100w basking light & CHE on hot end
-Basking temp stays around 95, cool end around 75... both temps monitored with digital probe thermometers
-All lights are on a timer, currently turn on at 6:30am and off at 7:30pm
-Reptile carpet (she's never been on loose substrate)
-Shallow water bowl on cool end which she totally ignores
-She does have a hide which she occasionally utilizes to take a daytime snooze, but that's very rare
-She's offered fresh greens morning and night everyday - I rotate between collards, kale, dandelion greens, arugula, mustard greens, and endive
-I offer protein twice daily as well - silkworms, dubia roaches, and occasionally superworms
-Her protein is dusted with Rep-Cal Calcium without D3 4x per week, and Rep-Cal Herptivite 1x per week.... although since she is eating less frequently, she is not getting these supplements as often as they are offered
-I hydrate her with filtered water and a dropper, which she willing drinks from (and is totally adorable and maybe my favorite thing ever)
-I bathe her once a week or sometimes bi-weekly because she seems to enjoy it. She does not drink from her bath. I bathe her more frequently if she has not had a bowel movement in awhile
-Her bowel movements have slowed to about once a week since she has been eating less
My worry now is that this morning, I'm noticing that her vent is very swollen. Could this be from the vet doing the swab for the Adenovirus test?
What I'm mostly seeing online is that it's usually from trying to lay. She's a little young (approaching one year), but I know it's possible. However, she hasn't exhibited other behaviors that would really indicate that to me, like no frantic digging or scratching. Also, shouldn't my vet have notified me if she was gravid?
I'm worried she might be in some pain, so I'm wondering if anyone has any insight for me. It was really quite alarming when I noticed it. I'm about to give her a nice warm bath to soak in. Should I take her to another vet? Maybe try putting her in her lay box? I set one up awhile back so I do have one ready.
Cookie's Care Specs:
-48x18x18 tank
-34in Reptisun 10.0 T5 HO
-100w basking light & CHE on hot end
-Basking temp stays around 95, cool end around 75... both temps monitored with digital probe thermometers
-All lights are on a timer, currently turn on at 6:30am and off at 7:30pm
-Reptile carpet (she's never been on loose substrate)
-Shallow water bowl on cool end which she totally ignores
-She does have a hide which she occasionally utilizes to take a daytime snooze, but that's very rare
-She's offered fresh greens morning and night everyday - I rotate between collards, kale, dandelion greens, arugula, mustard greens, and endive
-I offer protein twice daily as well - silkworms, dubia roaches, and occasionally superworms
-Her protein is dusted with Rep-Cal Calcium without D3 4x per week, and Rep-Cal Herptivite 1x per week.... although since she is eating less frequently, she is not getting these supplements as often as they are offered
-I hydrate her with filtered water and a dropper, which she willing drinks from (and is totally adorable and maybe my favorite thing ever)
-I bathe her once a week or sometimes bi-weekly because she seems to enjoy it. She does not drink from her bath. I bathe her more frequently if she has not had a bowel movement in awhile
-Her bowel movements have slowed to about once a week since she has been eating less
