Jace, Zy, Sorin, Ava, Nissa, Koth, & Phoenix -->Vet Update

Hello,
My name is Liz and I have been a member of this website for a year now. I have had another blog about my reptilian babies (http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=185026), but am starting a new one. I want to start the new year with a clean slate - especially since it will also start with a new moon. I want to move on from the problems of the past and look forward to the new adventures that lie ahead.
A little about me: I'm twenty-two years old and am an author - (A Shadow's Lullaby by: E. Rexer). I go to Western New England as a Creative Writing major with a minor in Philosophy. I own six reptiles, three bearded dragons and three leopard geckos. I have been with my boyfriend, Paul, for four years. I currently work two jobs - Heritage Woods (assistant living) and Table and Vine (liquor store) though I did try to quit Heritage Woods and was guilt tripped into working there per diem (once a month). I will be putting in my two weeks notice with them in February. Unfortunately it is a sad job and emotionally I cannot handle it anymore. Table and Vine doesn't give me the hours I would like, but I worked out a deal with my grandfather that will help me out financially. Now enough about me.

 

[zandi202]

Ok, I'll start with the not so hot news and move into the good news. First:

Koth's Vet Visit:
He had eaten last night and the night before, but I decided to continue with the appointment as my concern wasn't so much the fact that he wasn't eating - it was how quickly he was dropping weight which, with leos, should be a very slow and almost unnoticeable weight drop. With him it was gram after gram. So that's what I talked with about the vet. His eyes and ears were good, heart rate was good, so we knew none of that was the problem. Dr. Kenna suggested that we do a testing for crypto which can cause the weight loss to be so dramatic. Unfortunately we could not get Koth to poo so I will have to drive back with a sample as soon as he leaves me one. The test will cost $100. For those who do not know about crypto...there is no cure and it always leads to death. It is also easily transferable (I could be a carrier and give it to Nissa or Ava) so I have to be extremely careful and continue handling Koth last. Here's more info I pulled off of wiki on the subject:

There are eleven strains of Cryptosporidium, which is a mutant form of Coccidia. These are single-celled protozoan parasites with a direct life cycle, which means that the microorganism can complete its life cycle (from egg to larvae to adult) within a single host animal’s body. Generally speaking, these parasites are ‘host specific’, meaning that certain strains of Cryptosporidium are adapted to cause disease only in specific hosts. The strains of crypto that infect reptiles are Cryptosporidium serpentis, and Cryptosporidium saurophilum. Unlike some myths claim, these strains are not zoonotic, or transmissible to humans or other mammals.
Most reptiles are considered susceptible to Cryptosporidiosis, especially snakes. Crocodilians are not known to have crypto. Rare cases of non-alimentary Cryptosporidium have been found in the kidneys and salivary glands of Iguanas. Cryptosporidium parvum is often observed when testing the feces of snakes, but this strain of crypto only causes infection in mammals, and most likely originates from mice feeders passing though the snake’s GI system.
Crypto affects snakes and lizards differently, and is much more difficult to diagnose in lizards because the symptoms are more elusive than in snakes. In lizards, the parasite invades the GI tract in the lining of the intestines creating inflammation and lesions that severely inhibit the absorption of nutrients. In snakes, it is the stomach wall that is affected which can cause fatal internal hemorrhaging.

Many reptiles are asymptomatic (no symptoms) but are known to be carriers of Cryptosporidium. The carrier status of lizards is not completely known yet, but it is known that the parasite may remain in a dormant state until the animal is subject to severe stress and/or immuno-suppression, and then begins to multiply to a clinical state. Unfortunately, most of the clinical symptoms of crypto infection are similar to other parasitic and bacterial infections, so making a diagnosis purely by symptoms is ambiguous.
The progressive symptoms of Crypto in lizards are:
- anorexia, loss of interest in food
- regurgitation of food and undigested skin shed masses
- change in consistency of feces, florid diarrhea, ‘cottage cheesy’ stools
- weight loss, wasting away, thin tail
- enlarged, darkened liver (hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver)
- lethargy
- death

There is currently no medication or treatment available that will eliminate Cryptospoidia in reptiles, although there are promising treatments that seem to prevent the parasite from multiplying to levels where the infection is clinical. Current treatments appear to be more effective in snakes, and less so in lizards and tortoises. Many reptiles have maintained their health and have prolonged lives as a result of recent and ongoing treatment studies, but are still considered to be infected and can transmit the disease to other reptiles.
Since there is no ‘cure’ for crypto in reptiles at this time, the inevitable suffering and death of an infected lizard can be expected. Humane euthanasia is often the best course of action.

The only success in eradicating Cryptospridium infection is through prevention. Isolation of infected and new animals, fastidious husbandry and cleanliness, reducing crowding and stress, and maintaining all animals in optimal health so that their immune systems are strong enough to fight off infection will be protocol.
As harsh as it seems, ANY reptile that has been positively diagnosed with Cryptosporidium should be humanely euthanized, and all cages and cage items discarded to protect any other reptiles in collections and colonies from being infected.

Those were the articles on the wiki I found to be worth mentioning. If you want to see the rest of the information, here is the link:
http://www.leopardgeckowiki.com/index.php?title=Crypto

So good news is a definite must:

Sorin:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG FELLA! YOU'RE ONE YEAR OLD! CONGRATULATIONS, MY LITTLE BOY!

 

[sweetiepie9]

I'm sorry to hear the possibility of Koth being sick with crypto, crossing my fingers this is not the case. You'll have to let me know the test results. Poor Koth.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SORIN. I'm going to have to recheck the last chart you put on here to see his length and weight. Don't think he's topped Rubio, but can't tell until he's full grown at 2 yrs old. They always grow in weight & sometimes in length their 2nd year, so we'll have to see then. Hope you spoil him rotten!

 

[zandi202]

Yeah, I'm very worried about Koth. I really hope it's nothing. I'd rather take the test and be safe instead of sorry.

So right as I started to reply to you I heard this HUGE commotion in the reptile room. The metal bars are Sorin's viv and the glass of Jace's viv and just utter craziness. My first thought is gosh darn it (maybe a wee bit more explicit than that) Sorin escaped and is antagonizing Jace. I rush in there and Sorin is in his viv running up and down trying to climb the bars. He's head bobbing and being just crazy with the blackest beard. Jace scurries under his hammock and Sorin is still flipping out - running amuck. I took pictures, don't worry:

He was just so totally insane.

Also, got the beardie growth charts done:

 

[sweetiepie9]

So Sorin has been touched with Spring Fever, it's always worse when they're a year old. So this should be interesting, as it lasts for awhile :lol: I get it x5 when they get intense about it.

We'll see what Sorin is by the time he's 2, that's when they're really full grown. It will be interesting! He's already such a big boy!

I'm sending lots of hugs and healing wishes to you and Koth, that it turns out to be negative on the test.

 

[zandi202]

So this should be interesting, as it lasts for awhile

That's so not what I wanted to hear.

I don't think I could handle him getting any bigger. He's enough trouble as is. :roll:

Thanks, I'm going to be on constant worry-watch with him until it shows up negative.

Well, time to start cleaning I suppose. I just don't even know where to begin.

 

[zandi202]

A recap of today:

Paul and I cleaned and put away stuff in the guest room to prep it for painting. Then he worked and I "assisted" on the armoire. We ate pizza and I started painting the trim and he filled in most of the holes in the wall with putty. He had to go to work and I continued painting. 4.5 hours later the trim and doors were finished...so long and it feels like nothing was really done. After that I showered - so much paint - and did laundry. Took care of the leos (measured, fed, watered) and measured and weighed Phoenix. And now here I am waiting for Paul to get out of work.

Growth Chart:
Phoenix's age is guesstimated - I pm'd AHBD about it and asked if they had a more accurate guess as TFS average length is bout 10"-14" so there is a chance he's a year old already. Sadly there are no real decent growth charts out there on them.

Paul working on the armoire - he's such a trooper. P.S. All that white in the background (trim, door, etc.) it's all brown now.

My "handy" work at painting.

So close and yet so far. Have to use an oil based paint for the leos so I need to let it air out for a week before they can use it. It'll be worth the wait though...right?

 

[Esther19]

Both the room and the armoire are going to turn out wonderfully! Sorry to hear about Koth. Will be waiting for news of a pooper. Happy Birthday, sweet Sorin! And hugs for your Mama on your birthday for taking such good care of you all.

 

[zandi202]

Update:

Me:
Well, I've been good and taking my meds every night.It hasn't been to hard to remember so far. I don't have work until 3pm tonight, but only until 8:30. I won't be seeing Paul tonight as he goes straight home to go hang out with his brother. It's been a while since he wasn't here when I go to bed. I probably will be just relaxing today - too tired to paint. Plus, I don't want get paint on me before work.

Jace:
He now waves at me at me in the morning. It's so cute - he's never waved at me before. He's such a good boy.

Zy:
She's been a good girl - chilling out for the most part. She hasn't shown any interested in laying eggs or making babies. Thank goodness.

Sorin:
He hasn't started any trouble...yet.

Ava:
Se was the only good leo who ate last night.

Nissa:
She's such a good girl - my best little leo.

Koth:
Still no poop, the poop head.

Phoenix:
He's such a good boy. After talking with AHBD, we are guessing him to be 8 months old which is so eerie. It makes his birthday in August...just like Vraska...a year apart. How weird is that?

 

[zandi202]

Problem with Jace:
https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=207416

 

[sweetiepie9]

Glad you're relaxing today, you do so much!

I saw the entry about Jace, it could just be something from rubbing his snout against the glass when he's glass dancing to get out. Nothing to be concerned about unless it changes colour or gets really big. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[zandi202]

Deb:
Ah, okay. so it's like when we get hit on the head and get an egg-sized welt. Good to know. Thanks!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Update:
Jace:
Sleepy baby:

Love this picture:

Jace vs. Vacuum:

Zy:

She ended up knocking the box over and didn't understand:

 

[zandi202]

Sorin:
Sleepy baby:

Sorin vs. vacuum

Look at that beard:

Nissa:

Koth:

At the vet's office:

 

[zandi202]

Phoenix:
Playing in the bedspread:

Love this picture:

Big head:

I'm hiding:

Stinky:

Lulu:
She's my aunt's dog:

Step Runners:
The one standing in the pictures came up to Nissa and tried to make friends with her, but couldn't understand what was between them. It was so freaking cute and I wish I had a video:

 

[zandi202]

Videos:
Jace waving at Sorin:


Jace head bobbing Sorin:


Jace head bobbing Zy:


Phoenix exploring the bed:


Phoenix climbing the pillow:

 

[sweetiepie9]

Wow, what great pictures and loved all the videos; Jace sure had a great black beard, so funny. Love how they react to each other. Phoenix looks great, I can even see that his tail has improved.

HAPPY EASTER to you, Paul, your grandparents and your babies!