waltersgirl
Member
My Pumpkin is sick and the vet is sure it is Peritonitis. Her white count is through the roof and x-ray showed lots of fluid. Pumpkin laid three clutches of eggs: 17 on 12/31/14, 28 on 1/18/15 and 32 on 2/5/15. When she showed signs of a swelling belly, I just thought we were going to have a fourth. Friday morning I awoke to a black bearded Pumpkin. She had pooed twice in her cage since lights out. I ran her a bath and cleaned her up as she had a little residual around her vent. The black beard continued and her belly was rock hard. She also appeared to have some spasms in her throat. I called the vet and she said to bring her on in. She listened to her heart and lungs (labored breathing) and we decided to take a picture. It showed her full of fluid and no eggs. Initial dx was peritonitis but we decided to run blood work and see what her blood count was like. Her white blood cell and lymph counts were through the roof...higher than she had seen before. Fairly certain she has peritonitis due to ruptured uterus wall. We gave her pain medication, antibiotics, an anti-spasm medication and a diuretic. My vet sent everything off to an expert at Washington State University she consults with...I haven't heard if she got a response from them. Today is Sunday and I see little to no signs of improvement. Pumpkin still has a black beard despite treatment and pain medication. I know the best place for her is in her cage where it is warm and the lights can help her but when I put her in it she climbs in her hammock goes to the wall and scratches. She seems to only really relax laying on my chest. Any ideas for making her comfortable in her cage through this? Helping get her on the road to recovery? Also, any advice on giving her meds (orally) without putting so much stress on her? She is going to be on the antibiotic for 30 days (I have started her on probiotics as well).