High Blood Sugar

[DragonBus]

Hutch is retaining water so badly that she can barely walk under the weight. Does anyone know what would cause this? Her heart and kidneys would be a guess. Could it be her uv bulb? Diet? Inactivity during winter? Depression having siblings die? I dont know what to do. I had blood tests done which turned out quite spendy and I cant get the results till next month when I make the final payment. I hope this is not a serious condition.

 

[Esther19]

I'm so sorry to hear that Hutch is not doing well. I wish I knew of something to help.

 

[DragonBus]

I might try a probiotic. Not sure how to dose it, but shes been on antibiotics so long thats gotta mess with the good bacteria.....

 

[Esther19]

That is an excellent idea. I do believe I remember reading that any unused probiotic is flushed from the body. I have the Acidophilus+, and just give them a few drops per day. I hope this helps!

 

[pocketdragon76]

Based on what I've seen at work and having 2 cats with congestive heart failure myself I'd say the heart is the most likely cause, but I'm not a vet, just an assistant so I can't say for sure. Sorry she's feeling so bad, hope the probiotics help. Lots of hugs to all of you.

 

[DragonBus]

Thanks Pocket dragon76,
What kind of treatment is done for heart failure? I just gave her two drops baby biogaia probiotic. Shes getting worse. I figure the test results are bad and the vet doesnt want to get stuck for the unpaid balance if she dies before I pay him. I dunno, kinda strange....Makes me sad. Im really thankful for you guys through these tuff times.

 

[DragonBus]

We had an electrical fire in the bus two weeks ago an I got sick from the smoke. Hutch was up front in her tank and I hope she didnt breathe any of that toxic smoke. She has been puffy since summer, and is much bigger now. I wonder if the smoke hurt her liver and kidneys. She got overheated severely for 20 mins after the fire while I was fixing the wiring. Her leg was twitching and I put a cool cloth on her hot tummy to cool her and gave her 10cc water during the next few hours. She got a little cold while I was trying to start the generator which didnt help things.

 

[Esther19]

Wow. I'm so sorry that happened to you and yours. Hopefully, Hutch will pull through. Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you all.

 

[SpikesAgirl]

OMG, Stephanie! When it rains, it pours! I wish I knew what could be causing Hutch to get puffy like that, have you tried to private message Tracie at all??? She's so helpful and knows so much, she may have an idea. Her username is Drache613. Try to get in touch with her and ask her what she thinks could cause it. Let her know that you had the dragons with the high blood sugar, she's posted here before, that will probably ring a bell for her! Sending hugs to you and Hutch...

 

[pocketdragon76]

Oh my! So sorry to hear about everything! There could be other causes other than heart failure, but for that my cat is on Lasix (Disal, Fluorimide) which is a water pill and Enalipril. I don't know if they do anything like that for dragons. Did you call him and tell him that Hutch is getting worse? Working at a vet I can tell you that $ might be a concern, but we would still let you know what's going on. You'd be surprised how much vets get screwed over, so they're a bit paranoid.

 

[DragonBus]

Dr. B. Just called me with the blood test results. There was a miscommunication with the staff who was instructed to collect on stuff sent out to labs, so he called me to clear it up. I thought something strange was afoot. Glad I emailed him about it. Her blood seems normal, slight high blood sugar, but not serious. Might give her something for the bloating if its worse before Sunday. Keeping her on the probiotic, but it was grown in dairy, its Lactobacillus reuteri so I dont know if that will give her runny stools. She seemed pretty rag doll today. Breaks my heart.

 

[Esther19]

I'm so sorry.

 

[DragonBus]

I pmd Tracie. I'm going to add a better basking light after reading her article on lighting. Maybe it will perk her up. Ill see about playing with her more now that Im down with a shoulder injury and find we are both getting cabin fever in the bus without playing outside. I sing and play my guitar for her. She moves up to watch me as I play for her.....Perhaps my fingers look like wiggling pinkies on the strings.

 

[SpikesAgirl]

Please keep us posted on Hutch! Have you heard from Tracie?

 

[DragonBus]

Hutch has been on Furosemide for 3 days and has not pooped yet. She is so bloated, and is in obvious discomfort. I would have thought the diuretic would make her poo more. Still not eating on her own. I am still feeding her less food in case the weight is not just water. Prying her lips with collard leaves seems to perk her up, she does not spit it out out, but chews it up and swallows.
She has two new orange spots on her face, the first one I noticed this summer was tiny, but seems to be getting bigger and darker. I assumed it was an age spot as she is 6-1/2 now. Ill take some pics when shes awake and post them. The vet showed no concern of them.
The probiotic has been discontinued, as she has been having diarea, the dairy in it may be contributing to it. Vet has a non dairy type I plan on trying next month.