First Vet Visit- nightmare

[Lydstar]

Took nacho, or should I say NACHA to HER first vet visit on Sunday. Issue after issue. Nacho has a growth on her tongue theyd like to biopsy under sedation- cost $1200, she is also showing signs of MBD (lower jaw underbite) so they want to run several blood tests to determine where the lack of calcium absorption could be coming from- cost $945. They said her fat pads were a little slim so they prescribed emergency diet to be syringe fed- cost $52 (which by the way she will not eat) and now they just called saying she has a higher than normal pinworm level to come in and pick up antibiotics. Trying to do my research I seen one post about a growth in the mouth reoccurring, many posts about not treating pinworms. To treat or not to treat the pinworms? To biopsy or not to biopsy the tongue?

 

[KarrieRee]

Took nacho, or should I say NACHA to HER first vet visit on Sunday. Issue after issue. Nacho has a growth on her tongue theyd like to biopsy under sedation- cost $1200, she is also showing signs of MBD (lower jaw underbite) so they want to run several blood tests to determine where the lack of calcium absorption could be coming from- cost $945. They said her fat pads were a little slim so they prescribed emergency diet to be syringe fed- cost $52 (which by the way she will not eat) and now they just called saying she has a higher than normal pinworm level to come in and pick up antibiotics. Trying to do my research I seen one post about a growth in the mouth reoccurring, many posts about not treating pinworms. To treat or not to treat the pinworms? To biopsy or not to biopsy the tongue?

They should not be prescribing antibiotics for pin worms- here is a list of meds used

• Ponazuril – used to treat Coccidia – 30 mg/kg every two days for four days
• Toltrazuril – used to treat Coccidia – 5-15 mg/kg once every fourteen days (some concerns about the safety of this drug)
• Oxfendazole – used to treat nematodes – a single dose of 68 mg/kg
• Fenbendazole – used to treat roundworms – between 25 and 100 mg/kg every 14 days for two to four doses
• Trimethoprim-sulfa

What kind of UVB are you using? If you can get the test results and post on here Tracie can look at them and then give her input - can you post pics of the under bite- and a pic of the tongue as well - pics will help here a lot

 

[Lydstar]

We just switched her to a new enclosure so bulb is brand new zoomed reptisun 34” 10.0 t5ho in a 4x2x2. Switched from 75 gal with Arcadia 22” t5ho 12% uvb. I’m going to call to get the results now. I’m not sure how I can get the tongue picture, maybe my husband can assist with opening her mouth when he gets home from work

 

[KarrieRee]

We just switched her to a new enclosure so bulb is brand new zoomed reptisun 34” 10.0 t5ho in a 4x2x2. Switched from 75 gal with Arcadia 22” t5ho 12% uvb. I’m going to call to get the results now. I’m not sure how I can get the tongue picture, maybe my husband can assist with opening her mouth when he gets home from work

Please measure the distance of the UVB it needs to be 12-15 inches above the basking decor pieces -- this is important --- do you have a hygrometer for humidity? I would get a digital probe one if you dont - it should be placed on the back center wall of the tank -- Zoo Med makes them -- you want one by itself not a combo one -- I am not really seeing any thing about the underbite --- we can have some others look at it as well --
@AHBD
@Drache613

 

[Lydstar]

Distance is 13 inches. There’s a humidity reader in there but not the zoomed reading at 28%. I’ll order the zoomed one now. Still waiting for fecal results from vet and growth on tongue picture

 

[KarrieRee]

Distance is 13 inches. There’s a humidity reader in there but not the zoomed reading at 28%. I’ll order the zoomed one now. Still waiting for fecal results from vet and growth on tongue picture

Is the hygrometer a analog one? I have flagged your post to two people - once you post the results of the blood work and the tongue will be good

 

[Lydstar]

Is the hygrometer an analog one? I have flagged your post to two people - once you post the results of the blood work and the tongue will be good

Thank you! It is digital

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you! It is digital

Yep that will work --- place the probe on the back center wall of the tank - optimal humidity is 40-50% -- nothing under 20% and over 70%

 

[Lydstar]

Picture of said lesion

 

[KarrieRee]

Picture of said lesion

Ok well lets have the people I flagged take a look

 

[AHBD]

Nacho looks like a sweet girl, does she let you open her mouth that easy all the time ? Is she eating insects at all right now ? It prob. would be good to biopsy the tongue but I'm alarmed that they want almost $1,000 to test for MBD ? No way.....all you have to do is increase calcium a bit and make sure she gets proper uvb exposure. You can even order liquid uvb, one of the mods. here sells it on her website. I'd personally be leery of their judgement since they are estimating a $ 975 bill just to check for the MBD. If you feel comfortable doing this maybe look for another vet.

 

[KarrieRee]

Home

Quality reptile supplies such as liquid calcium, powdered calcium, reptile supplements, cleaners and reptile medications to keep your pet happy and healthy.

bug-de-lite.com

www.arav.org
type in a bigger cities zip code if your in a small town that is closest to you

 

[Lydstar]

Nacho looks like a sweet girl, does she let you open her mouth that easy all the time ? Is she eating insects at all right now ? It prob. would be good to biopsy the tongue but I'm alarmed that they want almost $1,000 to test for MBD ? No way.....all you have to do is increase calcium a bit and make sure she gets proper uvb exposure. You can even order liquid uvb, one of the mods. here sells it on her website. I'd personally be leery of their judgement since they are estimating a $ 975 bill just to check for the MBD. If you feel comfortable doing this maybe look for another vet.

She was so so so sweet with the vet and with my husband! I ordered a ton of different types of calcium to use, currently I am using flukers calcium powder and sometimes she refuses the roaches dusted with that. I also picked up reptivite liquid calcium from zoo med and a strawberry banana one from another brand. She was eating decently well until we switched her enclosure last Sunday, then the roaches slowed down a bit so I figured maybe her fat pads were slim due to that? It’s very expensive. Just a fecal exam and consult on Sunday cost me $400! $250 for the visit, $100 for the fecal test and $45 for the powdered formula. There’s only 1 other exotic vet in my area I can try to call and find out prices. I’m still waiting on the lab results for detail and “treatment” plan for recommended blood work to post

 

[KarrieRee]

She was so so so sweet with the vet and with my husband! I ordered a ton of different types of calcium to use, currently I am using flukers calcium powder and sometimes she refuses the roaches dusted with that. I also picked up reptivite liquid calcium from zoo med and a strawberry banana one from another brand. She was eating decently well until we switched her enclosure last Sunday, then the roaches slowed down a bit so I figured maybe her fat pads were slim due to that? It’s very expensive. Just a fecal exam and consult on Sunday cost me $400! $250 for the visit, $100 for the fecal test and $45 for the powdered formula. There’s only 1 other exotic vet in my area I can try to call and find out prices. I’m still waiting on the lab results for detail and “treatment” plan for recommended blood work to post

The dragon is going thru relocation stress - thus the slowing down on the eating --- that is normal - fat pads do not deplete that fast -- your calcium you have now is fine -- a drop off fecal at my reptile vet is $50 -- exams are $85 / well checks -- try the website I gave you and see if any new ones pop -- call and find out what their prices are -- please get the blood work and post it -- you paid for it have them email it to you

 

[AHBD]

The vet's prices are way over the top compared to many others. I'd not let them do anything else, at least tell them you're getting the MBD under control and won't need any more " help " with that. Those prices are outrageous ! One of my boys developed an underbite years ago, he's 11 now and still eating well and is alert and active. See if you can find another vet just to see about his tongue.