Bad Reaction to Enema---Long term poop problems--advice

[Drache613]

Hello Jan,

If it is just straight syrup then it will have 23mg/ml strength. If so, then we need to dose her at .03ml or rounded to .04ml which is dosed at 2mg/kg.
That is great she is doing better today! She is eating a little bit so is sounds like she is feeling better as well. Maybe she will eat some greens, too.
I am sure Electra is jealous of the extra attention Salsa is getting! They sure get like that!

Tracie

 

[discojan]

We finally heard back from the vet, who now wants to do a blood test and a barium series (which will run durn near $500 altogether). The catch is that Salsa seems mostly fine. She is happy; she pooped earlier this week, she just isn't eating a ton, but she hasn' really lost any weight either. She is holding steady at 437.

I had been giving her .2 of calcium, which now seems like a lot, and that seemed to help, but the vet and I can't figure why she'd need it, since she's got the reptisun light and she's outside several times a week.

We will do the bloodtest and wait and see, because the barium contrast seems like it could be pretty uncomfortable, and she's been through a lot.

No one responded to the images from the ultrasound on the vet site. And apparently there's the possiblilty that whatever they saw in the stomach could have just been poop. Sigh.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Jan,

No vet made any comments on your ultrasound image?
That is good Salsa seems to be doing better.
I am not sure why she could need extra calcium unless the repeated coccidia bouts damaged her GI tract which would affect her ability to absorb to calcium for some reason. Or, some dragons just need a little extra calcium, due to genetic traits, etc.
AT least she seems to be feeling good now & is maintaining her weight, too.
You change the Reptisun 10 every 4-6 months, right?
Wow, the barium IS expensive, $500 is quite a bit! Are you going to get that done? It would be relatively invasive!

Tracie

 

[discojan]

Hi Tracie,

Since she is seeming happy, I think we are going to probably just do the blood test, which is 135 (still pricey), but less invasive sounding (they take the blood from the tail?). The barium series is $350 or so, so the two together are close to $500

Since she was so much worse after the vet's last time. I'm pretty gun shy about anything that sounds real invasive, since she is finally more like herself. Meanwhile, Electra is getting ready to lay again . Always something

 

[Drache613]

Hello Jan,

When are you getting the blood test done? I like that idea better than the barium test, less invasive for sure!
How is Salsa doing now?

Electra is going to lay again? Geez, it is always something!

Tracie

 

[discojan]

Hi Tracie,


Electra laid 26 eggs last Thurs, her third clutch this season. She has been on a cricket feeding frenzy since. She even ate a moth in her cage the other day! She seems much more comfortable after letting all those eggs go, she was quite agitated last week.

Salsa seems happy; she basks on her own volition, and she must be eating because there aren't as many greens in her bowl, but I never see her munch. She hasn't pooped since this time last week, however, and at that time she was only eating the critical/carnivore care. She has not eaten any insects in that time either. The vet wanted us to wait a bit so that the calcionate would get out of her system, so I'm going to schedule for this week. They have to send the bloodwork out, so it will be a bit before we get results.

Thanks for checking in on us and I hope you're having a good labor day. It's pouring rain in KY.
Best wishes, Jan

 

[discojan]

Hi Tracie,
Just wanted to give you an update. We took Salsa for bloodwork yesterday, and now we're waiting for the results, which we probably won't get until Mon. (they send it to Miami to get analyzed). Salsa is happy, and ate a hornworm yesterday, but still no poop since last nearly 2 weeks ago (Last Mon). Moore info soon, I hope... Best wishes, Jan

 

[Drache613]

Hello Jan,

Great that Electra got those eggs out, so she should feel tons better now! I hope she gets her weight back on now. It sounds like she is eating really well right now so that is good news.
Salsa must be sneaking in some greens when you are not watching her! LOL It sounds like she is eating a little bit now also. Let me know how the blood test come out. You can post the results for me also, or just email them to me, if you want!

Thanks.
Tracie

 

[discojan]

Hi Tracie,

The vet said the results were normal and didn't want to do the barium contrast if Salsa is doing well. She also faxed over the numbers, but I left them in the office and I'm at home now. I will try to email them to you tomorrow or over the weekend. Thing is, Salsa still hasn't pooped. She seems happy, and it doesn't feel hard, but I guess we'll get her some mineral oil tomorrow and see if that will help coax things into moving along. How much should we give a 430 gram dragon? She's been eating butterworms and hornworms and munching a bit of greens...Our girls don't seem to ever want to brumate... Hope all is well with you!

Best wishes, Jan

 

[Drache613]

Hello Jan,

That is great you did not do the barium on Salsa right now!
So she still has not gone to the bathroom? Honestly, I would not give more than 4-6 drops of olive or mineral oil. Just mix it in with some babyfood to help her out.
Maybe the worms & greens will help her out. The hornworms are high in water so they may hydrate her enough to get her to go potty!

Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[discojan]

Hi Tracie,

I gave her a few drops of olive oil on Sat. and a few drops of mineral oil yesterday. She is getting warm baths everyday--still no poop. She ate a little apple yesterday, but she isn't eating a ton. Today it has been officially 3 weeks since she last pooped, and then she only pooped because I was giving her critical/carnivore care. She is happy, running, basking. What is a worried lizard momma to do? I have to head out to work, but will bathe her again later. Help! Best wishes, Jan

 

[Drache613]

Hello Jan,

Good grief, it has been 3 weeks since she went potty, really? That is a long time!
How much is she eating just the critical care? Continue with the baths & olive oil, but eventually something has to pass through. I hope that there is not anything else going on here, that has not been found.
At least she seems happy & is basking & active right now.

Tracie

 

[discojan]

Dear Tracie,

I know! It is very strange. She has been munching greens, apple, some hornworms, butterworms. She's not voracious, but she's not really losing weight either. ONce she started eating worms, we took her off the critical/carnivore care. We've only fed her soft-bodied worms. I've given her acidophiliz as well. But she is definitely active and happy. I hate to do the barium stuff if she seems to be doing ok otherwise We'll keep you posted!

Warmly, Jan

 

[Mach10X]

I'm glad she's feeling better. No hard lumps in the belly? I'd keep up regular baths and tummy massages (lift up front legs to do this never in her back).

 

[discojan]

Dear Mach10X,
What do you mean by lifting up the front legs? I usually rub under her belly gently, from armpit to cloaca. Thanks, J