Coughing Up Fluids (Again) Help Please??!

[jacqui778]

I posted a thread on this awhile back, but now it's gotten much worse....

Gem's been coughing up water again. The other night, she'd just gotten out of the bath after drinking a VERY SMALL amount of water (I had gotten advice from a vet to only let her drink a little bit to avoid the coughing/gagging situation), and I went back into the bathroom to give MoMo her bath.... I came back 15 minutes later, and there's a big wet spot on my sheets, and Gem is limp, with her eyes half shut.
I literally flipped her upside down (I wanted her to move!!) and she gave very minimal attempts to right herself. She was limp and wouldn't hold herself up for about an hour, during which I set her under the heat and watched her keep coughing up water.

The odd thing is, the stuff she coughed up was sticky. Like when you gently touch your thumb to the back of a sticker. And it wasn't clear. It looked a tad bit cloudy, almost.

I want to know where all the water and stuff came from, as well. She didn't drink as much as she coughed up....

Any help, advice, and theories would be great. She keeps doing this off and on. One week, she's fine, and running around.... the next week, she's coughing, and won't eat.... I don't know what to do anymore

Jacqui

 

[MissT]

I honestly dont have much advice. But if this keeps happening on and off then I think it would be a good idea to have bloods etc done to try to get to the root of the problem.

Hope shes feeling better soon!

T

 

[jacqui778]

Oh yeah. Forgot to mention. My parents don't think it's "serious" since it keeps going on and off. They seem to think I'm the one doing something wrong. So getting her into the vet could be a bit of a problem.

 

[MissT]

Call the vet and talk to them about the problem - tell them about your situation. Then ask the vet to speak to your parents.... its worth a shot...

 

[scalesandtales]

She may have an Upper Respiratory Infection and need antibiotics. URI's can get out of hand very quick and can lead to the death, let your parents know. Signs of an URI are coughing, leaving her mouth open for periods of time, squeeky noises/ whistling sound from her mouth, breathing hard, bubbles or fluid coming out of her nose/ mouth. You can go to Herpvetconnection.com to find a Herp vet near you. Also, make sure when you are bathing her that the water is only up to her armpits. =)
Jess

 

[jacqui778]

She may have an Upper Respiratory Infection and need antibiotics. URI's can get out of hand very quick and can lead to the death, let your parents know. Signs of an URI are coughing, leaving her mouth open for periods of time, squeeky n,oises/ whistling sound from her mouth, breathing hard, bubbles or fluid coming out of her nose/ mouth. You can go to Herpvetconnection.com to find a Herp vet near you. Also, make sure when you are bathing her that the water is only up to her armpits. =)
Jess

I thought it was a URI a few months ago when it started, but her symptoms only include the coughing up. No mucus or squeaking or gaping. If it was as simple as that, this would all be over by now.
And, since she is belly bound due to permanent bone damage from MBD, the water is only to her elbows. So no worries along those lines.

You know, Gem's vet checked her mouth and throat now that I think about it. She said they looked good....

Anyone else got ideas or theories??

 

[scalesandtales]

Hmmm maybe she just gets overly excited and drinks too mych water. You can try just dripping water on the top of her nose so she can drink more slowly.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Jacqui what color are the gums and what is the saliva like as in texture? Any eye issues as in watering closing, etc? Also what are your temps in the viv day and night? I would try bumping the temps a bit at night until we know what is going on. And I also agree some blood work may tell what is going on. It may be possible she is ingesting to much water. Just a thought...

 

[jacqui778]

Jacqui what color are the gums and what is the saliva like as in texture? Any eye issues as in watering closing, etc? Also what are your temps in the viv day and night? I would try bumping the temps a bit at night until we know what is going on. And I also agree some blood work may tell what is going on. It may be possible she is ingesting to much water. Just a thought...

Well she won't let me look, but her gums are usually pink with some yellow on the edge. Her tongue has a bit of yellow on the tip as well, but someone told me that since she is a Sandfire, that's normal....

I can't tell you the everyday texture of her saliva, but when she spat up, it was sticky.

Her everyday temp is around 98*. Nighttime she is with me so around 72*.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Jacqui do you hear any sounds at all and do you see the mouth always gaping? The next bath you give only put water up to the vent. Also try to bump your temp to 105-108 day time and 80s-90 for the evening.

 

[diamc]

Since she is coughing up a sticky substance, it does sounds like an URI and a vet visit would be a good idea. I agree with Lance to increase the basking temps, would also be a good idea to keep the tank warmer at night, close to 80. Do you have a CHE to use?

 

[jacqui778]

Jacqui do you hear any sounds at all and do you see the mouth always gaping? The next bath you give only put water up to the vent. Also try to bump your temp to 105-108 day time and 80s-90 for the evening.

No noises or gaping. I will try with baths and stuff. Sorry but Im typing from my touch phone so long sentences are difficult.

Diane.... I am on a field trip to nyc for four days and one of my friends' mothers is Gem's vet. I will talk to her for sure. I currently do not have a CHE but I can get one, no problem.

I guess an RI doesn't surprise me. Gem was previously kept in a tank with sand and an algae filled bubbling water dish. Hopefully we are now on the road to full recovery. I will keep you all updated.

Jacqui