Not responding to meds

[sidda]

So, my girl Sylar is almost a year old. She's been sick for 3 weeks now with horrible infestations of pinworms and cocidia. She responded to the treatment for cocidia but not pinworms. Her recheck was worse than the initial visit. Her vet has her on the last available meds right now but her behavior hasn't changed at all. She stopped eating a while ago... won't even let me hand feed her anymore. She hides in her cave all day except when I pull her out for outside time (they get about 10 hours a week of all natural uvb) and for baths. The cave is built into the setup so I can't take it out. I've tried blocking it off but she always finds a way back in. She's extremely lethargic and sleepy. At first I thought it was brumation but I know she's a little young for that... plus the vet says that brumation is not common in captives. <--- not what i've read on the internet but my reptile experience is mostly with uromastyx... this is my first time with beardies. The vet is concerned.... I'm concerned too but for different reasons I think. My concern is that she is badly infested and not responding to meds. So even if it is brumation, I can't let her go until her worms/parasites are cleared. The doc thinks something else is going on and wants further treatment. She's already had blood work and xrays done for suspected follicular stasis tho. It really feels like the vets office is only interested in my money. how much more should i put my poor girl through? I know we need to clear up the parasites but that shouldn't include extensive investigation with more xrays... should it?

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. The poor girl. Have you given her any probiotics? Those antibiotics basically destroy the good flora in the stomach. I'd try some soy yogurt or bee pollen. Also if she is housed with your other dragon I would separate ASAP. Being with another dragon is very stressful and since she is ill it's making it worse on her.

 

[sidda]

neither one of them are on antibiotics but have been on benebac since the start of tummy issues. and both of them are in a 7x2x2ft enclosure together. separating them seems to be more stressful on them but for the time being they are not together. i built the enclosure with a removable wall down the center to separate them when needed. both are being treated with the meds. Oscar had the same worms and parasites but responded well to treatment. He has to continue meds tho because Sylar is still infested. I'm just not sure what's next if she doesn't respond to this med either. the vet says it's the last option.

 

[AHBD]

Sorry to hear that your girl is having trouble. I think the meds. should be stopped for a while so she can get her appetite back. Her hiding is probably due to stress from all the treatment. Let her get a breather, a break from all that. So is the vet attributing her ill health to follicular stasis or to parasites ? Can you find another vet ? It seems that he is running alot of expensive tests to keep you coming back. For that matter, follicles do not usually show up on X-ray, shelled eggs do. To see follicles he would have been better off doing an ultrasound. Of course you don't want to spare any expense if you want to be sure this is not related to an egg or follicle problem, but you might want to seek out a more knowledgeable vet.

 

[sidda]

actually, she started hiding long before the meds and vet appointments started. it was one of the reasons i brought her in to begin with. the only meds she's on are for parasites so i can't stop them. the reason he did the xrays and considered follicular stasis was because of a large mass he felt in her abdomen. her last check determined the mass is diminishing tho so that's a positive. I'm just worried about her. Should I just assume that she instinctually knows what's best for her and that it's probably brumation? Everything I've googled says it is. Her vet is pretty well known around here. I did a lot of research about this office and the specific vets. They are without a doubt the best in my area. but... the office has (or had) their own show on national geographic so i sometimes question their motives. :/

 

[AHBD]

Beardies can go into a brumation or at least a very inactive mode any time of year, but it's not really too common this time of year.....but again it can't be ruled out. It's just troubling that you say the meds. are the last resort. The meds. should either do the trick or be discontinued. Hopefully they can be eliminated.

How is her weight holding up through this ? Can you post a pic of her [ to show body condition ] as well as her set up ? To do so you can upload them to Photobucket then copy/paste the img/url here. Also, exactly what type of lights do you have ?