ER Visit + Uninformed Vet + MITES

[repp0]

Hi all,

I originally posted about David here: https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=223029

TL;DR Very sick emaciated dragon that I'm attempting to rescue. Vet #1 gave him Panacur for pinworms.

Well after 2 days of panacur, the poor thing was not eating or drinking, completely dark, and barely opening his eyes. So I stopped the panacur yesterday morning even though he was supposed to be on for 3 days, then I got home from work yesterday he looked HORRIBLE (I thought he would die in the cab ride) so I took him to the all night vet hospital where they gave him Sub Q and Vitamins and he actually perked up. We made an appt with a herp doctor in the morning.

So this doctor obviously did not know her stuff. NYCers, use serious caution when you visit Katherine Quesenberry DVM, MPH, DABVP at amcny , I have doubts about her herp friendliness. They asked about my husbandry and one of the vet techs actually said I should replace his daytime heat lamp with a ceramic heat emitter? And she recommended holding his jaw open and force feeding crickets and greens instead of babyfood/critical care. Since he is so anorexic he gets dehydrated constantly and won't drink, she told me just to soak him because they absorb water in their vents... It's hard to argue with an experienced vet but I think here we all know that's not enough to help a seriously dehydrated reptile.

Long story short, we discovered that poor Dave has MITES in his eye sockets and around his body. She recommended puppy and kitten flea and tic powder and rubbing the ones I see off with mineral oil, and I decided to do some more research because that sounds HIGHLY suspect to me. Any advice about how I can treat mites without doing a number on his already pretty weak system?

-Mal

 

[AHBD]

Poor David, how's he doing ? Here's some info for treating mites but limit any soaking [ as mentioned in the article ] to 15 minutes + be sure the water is warm, plus stay right with him so he doesn't drown.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi678f9-sPLAhUF2RoKHXeIAHoQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anapsid.org%2Fmites.html&usg=AFQjCNHc_QH--f3j2BkPUQ_gI7WlKzbnWw&sig2=cZfzFJtxIlzcyW5f-IVjjQ&bvm=bv.116636494,d.dmo
Hopefully the fluids that the vet gave him helped him out + he'll get his appetite back. Be sure to offer only medium sized insects and softer foods.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor David, mites now?
He literally has mites inside of his eyes, really? You can try flushing his eyes out with sterile saline solution also to see if that helps out for him.
Does he have any appetite at all?
I hope that he gets to feeling better, keep trying with him!
Let us know how he is doing.
I agree, I would not give anymore Panacur right now, it is too hard & dehydrating on his system.

Tracie

 

[repp0]

Thank you so much to everyone who is responding. Support from beardie rescuers and beardie lovers is what's keeping me going through this crazy process.

Long story short, the husbandry of the previous owners was atrocious, and his parasites come as no surprise.

We got the buggers out of his eye sockets, now it's time to try to deal with the rest and the environment.

Normally I'd try something like Nix or Provent but since he is so weak and his immune system isn't good, my plan of action is this:

1) Boil his basking rocks and water dish for 20 min each
2) thoroughly clean the inside of his tank with a dilution of this http://www.beardeddragon.co/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=249 and soak his tiles in it, use paper towel as substrate until they are dry
3) Blow dry the inside of his tank
4) Soak him every other couple days in betadine water and gently clean him with a soft toothbrush and q tips

If & when (PLEASE let it be when!) he is more robust, I will try a more aggressive approach but for now I'm aiming for management.

Any advice about whether i should pick up with the panacur in 2 weeks, or just skip it?

Best,
Mal

 

[repp0]

He literally has mites inside of his eyes, really?

OH! No, they were hiding out on his lids in the socket. Sorry, I was unclear. That would be such horror

 

[Drache613]

Hello Mal,

Oh that IS good news, I was worried for him!!!!
I am glad you got them out of his eye area then, poor thing.
I hope you have gotten everything else under control.
I would wait a bit longer to give more medication until he is feeling much better & is more hydrated. How is he doing today? How much food is he taking in?
Your cleaning plan & methods sound fine, it should get it all taken care of.
Keep us posted on his condition.

Tracie