Help needed

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, she may possibly be having some liver or kidney issues from oversupplementation. The
Reptivite has synthetic vitamin A & D in it & those can build up in their system & become toxic to
them.
You could also get some activated charcoal to give to her for a few days to try & detox her system,
as well.
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[lion1234]

We'll try the medicine they gave her. I think it's one week's course. Hopefully, the results will be positive.

It's nearly impossible to find a herp specialist, even in New York.

 

[lion1234]

I have an unrelated question...

I use Reptisun 10 for UVB lighting. I read somewhere that these need to be changed once a year as they lose their effectiveness. Is that true or simply a marketing ploy? I've been doing it, but just curious.

 

[CooperDragon]

The bulbs do lose their output over time, but the time varies. The general rule is that a T8 will last around 6 months or so, and a T5 will be good for about a year before output diminishes to the point that it isn't very effective. If you have a Solarmeter you can measure the output and perhaps get more time out of the bulbs. These are fairly expensive tools though and I consider them a luxury item if budget is limited.

 

[lion1234]

I might as well change the bulb. For the price of one Solarmeter I can get about 10 years worth of Reptisun.

If only I could get her to eat veggies...it's nearly impossible with her. Unless it moves, she just ignores it. Dangling pieces in front of her nose is not always possible.

 

[CooperDragon]

Have you tried hand feeding the veges and moving them in front of her? I've had good luck cutting squash into worm shapes and then moving those a bit and offering by hand.

 

[AHBD]

Hopefully you'll see results from the meds., if not then there will be another cause like Tracie and I mentioned, possibly being brought on by the supplements. It can really be hard figuring out which ones to use + how much. Best wishes to your big girl.

 

[lion1234]

Yes, hand (or tweezer) feeding by dangling it in front of her is the only way she's take a veggie, one or two pieces at most.

Hopefully, everything will work out. She's my son's pet, he'd be very upset.

 

[lion1234]

An update:

Finished the course of medication today. She is a bit more alert and the swelling seems to have gone down a little, but still it is too large. I expect, if the drugs have any effect, the swelling should react positively in the next few days.

She has been eating better - I feed her freeze dried crickets and live ones when available. Also, she's taking some kale and some other leaves, but sporadically. Vitamins as well.

Redid her cage, got rid of the crushed walnut, replaced it with carpet. Not too happy, she's pooping daily and carpet soaks it up, cleaning is, well, a chore. Looking for a large tile so I can cover the floor with just 2 pieces.

 

[Claudiusx]

Tile is definitely easier on us humans lol.

Well that's good that there has at least been some progress. Are you going to be having a follow up with the vet?

-Brandon

 

[KarrieRee]

You can also look into textured non adhesive shelf liner as a substrate as well -- sold at your home improvement stores ---
Karrie

 

[lion1234]

I think I've exhausted this vet's ability, even though she claims she knows lizards. She told me if there is no improvement to go see a specialist. The nearest one is several hours away in PA somewhere. We'll see, I guess.

I'll visit Home Depot and see what they offer. Any tile would have to be cut to size, so perhaps the linoleum or the shelf paper.

She's also shedding on her head. I know their behavior changes when they do, so have to wait.

 

[AHBD]

You can use newspaper as well. Fold it in sections so you can lift a 1 square foot piece out if need be. It sounds like she's doing a little better at least.

 

[lion1234]

Well, folks, sadly, she passed today. The medicine never really helped, the growth under her beard just kept getting larger and larger. Even though she was much more active and ate well in the past few weeks, looks like whatever she suffered from was stronger than her. She was, I believe, 8-9 years old, probably closer to 9.

RIP, Spike.

 

[KarrieRee]

I am so sorry to hear - what was the growth?
Karrie