Sick Beardie after Ivomec UPDATE Samson Passed Away

[augustwst]

Hello! He seems to be doing better! He's lifting his head on his own, has more energy. His body's fuller, he doesn't look as flat. Been back to the vet, he's well hydrated. Had a B12 shot, but he's a bit jaundiced. Have you ever heard of Duralactin? Basically, it's amino acid, milk protein, & omega 3 & 6 to help liver function. I'm scared about the liver issue. He said continue cisapride (propulsid). Would this do more damage to the liver? Morally torn I guess, and I don't trust my own judgement sometimes.

Also, I talked to this breeder, who gives his beardies this stuff called Florajen. It's probiotics for people, says beardies will pass what they don't use. Have you heard of this?

There is a basking spot in his tank 110 degrees.

Also, I put mustards, collards, & romaine in my juicer and have been feeding him mean green juice with his food. Yum! Yum!

Thanks for all your help Tracie!!!

Michelle

 

[Drache613]

Hello Michelle,

Great he is doing better & actually lifting his head now.
What is he on the cisapride for now? Just wondering. Yes, it can cause the liver to have to work too hard so if he does not have an infection, he probably does not need that.
Yes, I have heard of Prolactin. It is used for helping the liver to heal & to regenerate by aiding in the breakdown of fats. Lactulose is also used, as well. The liver has great regeneration properties so if you have caught it early which I think that you have, he should be fine. Keep him well hydrated too.
I have not used Florajen. The ones that are recommended mostly are acidophiliz, benebac or nutribac. Their bodies will pass through things that are ingested in excess, but you do want to be careful & not oversupplement them either. They are small animals that have a delicate digestive system.
Good the basking spot is at 110, that is fine.
I am happy he is doing much better & is eating now. Keep me posted!

Tracie

 

[augustwst]

He was originally on the cisapride because he had air bubbles in his intestines from the bacterial infection from the parasites. Have not done a repeat xray yet, that will be monday. Just worried that if I give him too many more drugs, I will lose him. He did poo yesterday, and although, he looks alot better, I'm still hand feeding him. Vet did palpate poo and stomach contents. It's just a tough balance because they are so small. He's been on cisapride for a week now.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I totally agree. I do not think he should be on anymore meds now. They can only take so much & after the Ivomec, he does not need anymore stress.
How is he doing today? I think another fecal should be done, just to see what things are looking like now.
I hope he is feeling better.

Tracie

 

[augustwst]

He is doing ALOT better!!! He's sitting up and running!! He still won't eat on his own..Any advice on the transition?? I don't want to stop feeding him and he lose too much weight..

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great to hear he is doing so much better now! Have you tried giving probiotics to help with appetite? Or you could try to find some bee pollen that tends to really help with appetite as well.
I am glad that he got past that, poor guy!

Tracie

 

[augustwst]

Yes, I'm giving him acidophiliz & jumpstart. He's pooping more often now. He's just gettting harder to feed. I've been syringe feeding him for 3 1/2 weeks, he's had 8 cc or more every day but the past two days I could only get about 4 in him. He just absolutely refuses to open his mouth. I've left food out for him everyday as well and he's disinterested. I don't want him to lose too much weight and get sicker or too weak. He's alot better but still not 100%. Should I starve him for a day and see if he eats? I just really don't want to turn around the progress that he's made because he's not eating.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Hm, he is most likely just tired of having to eat that way. Have you tried just dripping the food onto his nose to see if he will lick that off of his nose at all? Sometimes they will do that.
Maybe gradually drop the amount of food down & his own appetite should come back. They wont have much of an appetite if you are feeding him too much food from a syringe so he wont want to eat on his own.
I am happy he has come through this now, & it doing so much better. Great you are using the acidophiliz & the jumpstart too, that has to be helping.
Thanks for the updates.

Tracie

 

[augustwst]

I cant get him to lick off his nose, either. Yesterday, I only got about 3cc of food in him, and today, only about 1 1/2 cc. I'm starting to worry. I've filled his cage with his favorite things - mustards, collards, mealworms, crickets..he wants nothing to do with them. How long can they go before getting their appetite back? He still does sleep alot, but has some energy. He climbs up his stick, runs, sits with his head up. Seems ok except his loss of appetite.

 

[msmaui]

I know exactly what you're going through. I've been feeding my Cinnamon with a syringe since 10/10 and I have the same problems. It's getting almost impossible to get that syringe in his mouth. I also tried going one day with no food to see if he would get hungry enough to eat. It made no difference. I truly understand how frustrated you're getting.

 

[augustwst]

Hello msmaui,

How much food would you say you get into Cinnamon everyday? I've been hand feeding Samson equally as long and for the past three days it's only been about 2 cc. I watched this video on jumpstart about how to administer the product and the guy on the vid opens his beardie's mouth like no big deal http://www.zilla-rules.com/jumpstart. I tried that ... no way! I usually squeeze some food into the side of his lip and rub it and eventually he will chew, but not lately. You're right, it's super frustrating! I'm worried about him as I'm sure you are yours...how is your Cinn doing today?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How are things going today? Yes, it is very hard to get them to get their mouths open that is for sure!
I hope that he is feeling better. Has he lost any weight that you can see yet?
Please keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[msmaui]

Hello msmaui,

How much food would you say you get into Cinnamon everyday? I've been hand feeding Samson equally as long and for the past three days it's only been about 2 cc. I watched this video on jumpstart about how to administer the product and the guy on the vid opens his beardie's mouth like no big deal http://www.zilla-rules.com/jumpstart. I tried that ... no way! I usually squeeze some food into the side of his lip and rub it and eventually he will chew, but not lately. You're right, it's super frustrating! I'm worried about him as I'm sure you are yours...how is your Cinn doing today?

When I first started, a month ago, I could get around 4 cc into him. Lately, though, I start with about 3 cc and usually I'm not able to get all of it into his mouth. We both end up wearing some of it. He always has to have a bath afterwards. I probably am getting around 2 in now. Also, I used to feed him twice a day but it's gotten so stressful I just feed him once now. I hate putting him (and me) through that. He absolutely hates it and he doesn't feel good anyhow. He's still not doing well at all. If anything, he was better a few days ago.

EDIT: I just watched that video. Hard to believe. I have to wrap Cinnamon in a towel and there's no possible way he takes it like that dragon does!! He fights the whole way!!

 

[augustwst]

Hello Tracie,

Yes, I believe he is losing weight. He held steady for about 3 weeks, and last week when I took him to the vet he had lost a little. He does still sleep most of the day, but moves around some, and when I pick him up, he is alert and energetic. Today, I got only about 2 1/2 cc food in him. I fill his tank everyday with mustards, mealworms, cricks, etc, stuff he likes. He still has yet to eat...My biggest concern is that I don't want to reverse the forward progress we've made.

And again, thank you for your help and concern.

Michelle

 

[augustwst]

Hello msmaui,

How much food would you say you get into Cinnamon everyday? I've been hand feeding Samson equally as long and for the past three days it's only been about 2 cc. I watched this video on jumpstart about how to administer the product and the guy on the vid opens his beardie's mouth like no big deal http://www.zilla-rules.com/jumpstart. I tried that ... no way! I usually squeeze some food into the side of his lip and rub it and eventually he will chew, but not lately. You're right, it's super frustrating! I'm worried about him as I'm sure you are yours...how is your Cinn doing today?

When I first started, a month ago, I could get around 4 cc into him. Lately, though, I start with about 3 cc and usually I'm not able to get all of it into his mouth. We both end up wearing some of it. He always has to have a bath afterwards. I probably am getting around 2 in now. Also, I used to feed him twice a day but it's gotten so stressful I just feed him once now. I hate putting him (and me) through that. He absolutely hates it and he doesn't feel good anyhow. He's still not doing well at all. If anything, he was better a few days ago.

EDIT: I just watched that video. Hard to believe. I have to wrap Cinnamon in a towel and there's no possible way he takes it like that dragon does!! He fights the whole way!!

I understand how you feel. The first week I fed Samson that way, It made me cry everytime I fed him. 2cc is about what I'm getting into Samson these days. Did you check with your pharmacy on the neocalglucon? I hope your cinn starts feeling better soon.