Dino's YF... Rest Easy my Lil' Friend :'(

[Russell84]

Hello. I didn't read the whole thread (its just too long), but I got the jist of it. Wow your Dino is a very remarkable dragon! She has been through so much hardship and pulled through. I'm amazed at how she's got through such severe illnesses. Its a good thing that she has such a great owner who never gave up on her. All the best for Dino!

 

[SpikesAgirl]

Thanks everyone! Happy New Year!! Dino's fungus symptoms are pretty much gone! She had that one little lesion/scab near her vent and it came off a couple days ago after her bath. YAAAAAY no more yucky scabs!! The left side of her face lookin' pretty good. Her mouth/lip area on that side is slowwwly getting better. The ear is still not back to normal either. Refilled the Voriconizole for the 4th time after Christmas. So, with progress always comes a set back with Dino. Her eye is still not healed and the right eye started to act up too. Took her to the vet last Friday morning before we went to Maine for New Year's. It started to look like it was healing then... not so much. She kept rubbing her eye around on things in her tank. Batting at it with her back foot and making the lower lid bleed. It was starting to swell again. She has no appetite. She at 3 superworms over the weekend. Vet says the conjunctiva is infected. :roll: Mind you, we have been back to the vet probably 2 or 3 times since the infection started in October for rechecks and what not. She sent us home with oral Baytril and Metronidazole plus Metacam for pain. Stopped the Ciproflaxin topical eye drops. Giving her a probiotic too. She sent out a culture. Got the results back today. The infection is sensitive to the antibiotics that she's on but, she wants to use a different topical that she thinks will be more effective. I didn't catch the name of it. It needs to be ordered. Hopefully it will be there by Monday for our appointment or it will have to be mailed to me. So, that's the story TODAY. :| I'll try to post Monday night after our vet visit to let you know how things L@@K! I hate when I have to post BOOOOOO'S at the end of a YAAAAAY post.

 

[Tonja]

Oh my! I am so sorry to hear about her eyes. I will keep her in my prayers that they heal quickly with the new meds. Boy when it rains it pours! At the very least her fungus is gone thank heavens. You have still made great strides in getting her healthy and you should be very proud of yourself for that. Her eyes will get better with your care. keeping you and Dino in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Esther19]

Wow. Her scabs are all gone! What a long journey that was, but you both made it! Hope her eye gets better soon. Thanks for the update.

 

[SpikesAgirl]

Well, culture that came back says that Dino has a staph infection in her eye. I just can't believe this. So, another animal hospital has to compound the antibiotic ointment. Begins with a "c". Doc said she couldn't believe how hard it is to get now. Most places used to have it in stock all the time. Nope. Not for Dino. Always complicated. So, I asked the all important, "How the hell did she get STAPH in her eye? From her tank? What?" The reply, "She got it from herself. Reptiles carry these things in their system and on their skin. Her weakened immune system and being on antibiotics for so long... bla bla bla." Same crap, different condition. OMG. So, onto the next question: "You said it's a 'staph'' infection, right?! Is that contagious to people??" Yup, sure is. Anyone with a weekened immune system, Aids, hepatitis, on steroids or chemo therapy should stay away from Dino. "So, my hubby, who had knee replacement in September, is he at risk?" You should keep her away from him, just in case. He never goes near her or touches her anyway. I'm always super cautious about sanitizing and disinfecting any surface she's been on or near anyway, but now I have to be SUPER DUPER anal about it. I know there are different types of staph, I don't know the EXACT one she has. This diagnosis was made from a culture, so it is indeed a staph infection. This poor animal... when do I stop guys? When? She looks so god awful right now. It started with the one eye, then the other. So, she's got it in both eyes. Sometimes the goop crusts her eyes shut and she can't see until I flush the goop out of her eyes. She's got no appetite. I have to start syringe feeding her Carnivore Care. She's lost weight. Since Christmas, she's only eaten 5 super worms. I started giving her Critical Care over the weekend just to pump a little bit of nutrients into her because that's all I had. 3 oral meds every night, 4 every other on the night she gets the pain med. Probiotics with her syringe food because she won't eat out her dish. So now, I get to cut back to 2 meds every night (whoopdee doo :roll: ) and 3 every other because Metronidazole doesn't do anything with staph so I can stop that. Waiting for the ointment to be here. Should be here by Thursday. I just want her fungus to be done and over with so she can get off the meds. It's ALMOST there. This eye infection is just awful though and you can tell she's just absolutely miserable. I just feel really, really bad about how it's affecting her. Am I being selfish putting her through all this??? I feel like I am. God help me.

 

[Tonja]

I am so sorry to hear about Dino having a staph infection in her eyes. I dont think you are being selfish at all, you have made great strides with her. I honestly believe <since you kind of hinted at it> tha an animal will tell you when its time to let go. I believe they stop fighting and give up which doesnt seem to be the case with Dino. There is a look in their face that they are tired and dont want to do anymore. As long as you dont see signs of her giving up then I wouldnt give up. You have helped her through so much, and have so much progress, this eye infection may be the last hurtle you both have to cross. I know when dealing long term with a sick animal, its hard financially, mentally and physically, it takes its toll, so hang in there with her as long as she allows you to and we will all hang in there with you as much as possible.

 

[SpikesAgirl]

I am soooo struggling with this right now. Staph is no joke. I'm putting a call into the vet tomorrow for a reality check. If a human being has such a hard time with staph, how is a reptile supposed to fight it. Not only that, but how am I supposed to keep it from spreading more? I can't keep Dino tied to a bed!! She rubs her face all over everything! That's obviously how it spread to her other eye. I'm not feeling too optimistic about this one guys. I'm really, really not. Do they make "cones of shame" for beardies like they do for dogs??? How the hell am I supposed to stop it from spreading? It could also attack other areas of her body that aren't completely healed from the fungus, like her mouth for example. Then, I just feel like syringe/force feeding her is forcing her to stay alive when maybe, just maybe, she's done trying. It's a hard, cold, reality that I think I might have to face. Gonna call the vets office and ask for the doctor to call me. I'll let you all know how it goes. Not feeling optimistic here. Trying to be realistic. This isn't fair at all... especially for Dino.

 

[Tonja]

Bless your heart and no staph is nothing to turn your head at. Staph is very serious and can be spread around. i dont know if they make cones small enough for a beardie but you can make one out of construction paper and tape if you want to go that route. Another thing you need to do is wear gloves <latex> when you handle her to keep it from spreading to you and your family. Hand washing doesnt always do the job unless you use a harsh sanitizer on your hands. Everything she rubs on or touches needs to be sanitized religously and that alone is a pain I know. I wish I had the answers for you and Dino but I dont at this point. I truly understand your concerns about this and how much more Dino needs to be put through. All I can say is whatever decision you make, it will be the best for Dino. I only wish the best for you and Dino and will continue to keep you and her in my prayers.

 

[kcarello]

Hi Sue,
I messaged you, but I will post here as well. You are both in my thoughts and prayers! Follow Dino's lead..thats all you can do. We all support you,,,in whatever you decide.
Love,
Kelly

 

[SpikesAgirl]

Thanks guys. You can be sure to get an update after I speak with Doc tomorrow. <3 u all for being my support/psychiatric team thru this whole ordeal!! :love5:

 

[Fellowdt23]

Its very sad whats happened but you have got this far and i personally think your almost there and it would be such a shame not to atleast try and fight the latest upset.

Different animals deal with things differently and you may be surprised how your we dragon will fight this. Staph is a difficult thing to treat but doesnt mean its not treatable and remember that this dragon has you to control its enviroment unlike a cat dog or human being where it would be far more lickley to spread.

Good luck and best wishes the we guy has been through a lot

 

[Fellowdt23]

Just had a thought maybe nebulising with F10 may help his eye and help kill the bacteria causing it. Just a thought as you know F10 info page pretty much says it helps kill alot of things along with anti biotics.

Anyway just a thought as i know my vet uses f10 for cleaning everything to stop mrsa infections spreading/happening in his surgery

 

[SpikesAgirl]

Hi Fellow... that could potentially be a way to sanitize her tank. I don't know that nebulizing her would be of any benefit though, unless it was through her system. We'll see what the vet says today. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[Fellowdt23]

Hi yes i say nebulising just because in a nebuliser her eye would also come into contact with it at a dilution that is safe. Obviously though her lungs and everything else is fine so it would have no benefit.

Hope she gets better

 

[AHBD]

Hi Sue...I'm sorry to hear that it's getting worse, especially when her other problems seemed to be getting much better. What a sad shock, how very stressful. Maybe the raw honey could help, [ but definitely not the regular kind that's been pasteurized ] they do use it to treat resistant infections in humans, like gangrenous diabetic ulcers and other wounds that don't heal. Whatever decision you come to, you have done the utmost for this noble animal. I hope, hope, hope....there is an answer.