Sick beardie - not sure what the problem is

[Gab122]

Hi All,
I spoke to our vet earlier today actually and asked for oral anti fungal meds. I emailed her some recent photos and she is going to get back to me tomorrow after she looks them over. I'm sure the other vet will give Rx if this one doesn't. I also dropped off stool samples to get new coccidia reading.

I'll be sure to request the oral anti-fungal that is less fatal/ less harsh.

Will let you know how it goes. Being w/ Hermie daily I think she's got a lot of spunk and will pull through. Such a sweet girl deserves to feel better in a healthier body.

Thx
Gab

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,

Terrific, I hope that they will get that for you soon. Either Voriconazole or Itraconazole will work well, but she does need it.
As Jenna mentioned, it will take time to clear it from the inside out so she will need to be on treatments most likely for a minimum of 4 months, really.
Let us know how she is doing! We are all pulling for her.

Tracie

 

[Jenna8359]

I am using voriconazole and would reccomend that. The other medication in veterinary trials did not cure some dragons with yellow fungus and had high death rates. I am using voriconazole and my dragon is looking better and eating like a champ with no probiotics. So if you do it with probiotics you shouldn't have any problems mine had been taking her meds since Christmas eve and still isn't totally clear.

 

[Gab122]

Hi everyone, wish me a happy birthday

I've lived 24 years (twice)... Doesn't that sound better than 48!

I just spoke to the vet. Nammer is clear of coccidia!
I want to give more albon as "insurance" but the vet says not to. Thoughts? If the testing was clear, does that ever come back? How were parasites acquired in the first place?

As for Hermie, she's down to a 2+ Coccidia reading (started at 4+). And the vet has agreed to prescribe voriconazole. She wants to start w/ 30 days and take it from there if there is improvement. She is reluctant because she's not positive Hermie has YF and the chest wound tested neg for fungus. She realizes the stress this can put on Hermie as such a young dragon. In the end she agreed so long as I knew there could be fatality risks.

Hermies "known for sure" problem is a big wound on her chest of unknown origin. And coccidia. Whether she has yellow fungus for sure still, is only believed probable based on earlier positive culture tests back in oct/nov.

She still needs to clear the coccidia and heal the wound and clear the probable fungal spots (probably YF).

Does it make sense to do voriconazole in your opinion? Could battle on three fronts (chest, parasites, fungal) be too much stress to add voriconazole? Or would it actually help her/ strengthen her to heal the other problems.

Sometimes she looks 'ok' and sometimes she looks miserable like she's suffering/dieing. She always fights me when I try to feed her- showing signs of strength. I'm willing to take a risk if it has a good chance of helping her get well.

Would it be better to use totrizural paste instead of albon? Could the albon be making her miserable? I have toltrizural based on weight of 32g but she's 50 now. Do I give her one and a half doses instead of one?

Lastly, the vet said the only skin glue she's aware of is liquid bandaids - wouldn't that sting the chest wound terribly? Would Bactine first make it bearable? Any other ideas to water proof the area?

Thoughts and advice and birthday greetings welcome.
Gabrielle

 

[Jenna8359]

I don't think i have to tell you my opinion. I would have the oral anti fungal in a heartbeat. There is not a doubt in my mind that what your baby has is fungal. And that by itself is very deadly. Just make sure she get the correct dose. I am just curious, is she a reptile specialist or a small animal veterinarian? I will send you a picture of my label on my oral fungal meds. make sure she gets the correct dosing amount from a proper source.

 

[Gab122]

She is an exotic specialist and just came back from a Herp vet conference where she got an opportunity to consult w/other Herp vets about Hermie. I'm sure she'll dose appropriately as she has expressed the importance of that to me before.

 

[Gab122]

I think part of the concern is that hermie's fighting multiple battles and she's only about 7 months old. Not as clear cut as if it was her only battle and she was full size.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,


Happy Birthday!!!!
That is fantastic. Let me know what they decide on the dosing. I have sources to so I can double check the doses.
I don't recommend using anymore Albon especially with fungus present. It will make it worse.
I am glad her coccidia levels are good, I wouldn't worry about that much right now. Try to keep the stress levels down to keep those parasite levels at an even keel. They have naturally small amounts of them in their system, but under stress it causes them to multiply.
She could use liquid bandaid around the edges so it wont touch the raw skin. Then try to keep a gauge bandage over it to help promote healing & decrease her rubbing it on anything, too.
Are her colors good? I am sorry that she has had to go through all of this!
When are you going to be starting her on the voriconazole? There are always side effects but with proper hydration, probiotic use, it should be minimal.

Tracie

 

[Gab122]

Hi all,
We decided to proceed to with voriconazole and were quoted $35 for one month supply. The pharmacy compounding it called and told me we were misquoted and it's really $78/month supply.

Does anyone know where else we can get it less expensively? They said they quoted us 2014 rates and the 2015 rate from their supplier went up. Does that price seem correct?

Edit- additional question. Hermies been eating carnivore care since oct I think with occasional other baby food added but mostly carn care. Greens offered daily but don't see if any are eaten. Wondering why vet recommended carnivore care instead of critical care??? Shd Hermie be on Critical care instead?

Thx
Gab

 

[Jenna8359]

Hey Gabrielle.
That sounds about right for that medicine. Mine was 75 dollars. As for as carnivore care, yes that is the right stuff. It is made specialty for lizards or other animals who are recovering from major surgeries that do not want to eat. Therefore it is loaded with the stuff to keep them nice and fat. I have heard of critical care before but you can but that at a petstore. Carnivore care is vet prescribed and that is what I think is best for feeding them when they are sick or having trouble eating. I would keep doing the carnivore care especially if you are doing the oral antifungal. It is best to give the oral antifungal 2 hours after they eat a meal. It's just like how we as humans feel bad if we take certain meds on an empty stomach. I feel like the carnivore care will give her substance and something to keep weight on her.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,

How is Hermies tonight?
That is quite a price hike, I agree! Too bad the prices went up like that. I am not sure if there are any lower prices online, but I will check for you.
The carnivore care is more nutrient dense than critical care. She should do well on that & be able to gain some weight. If she is eating insects that would be a good complement.

Let us know how things are going. When are you going to pick up the meds?

Tracie

 

[Gab122]

Hi all,
I picked up the voriconazole today and started it. Hermie was prescribed 5 mg caplets that I'm to open and sprinkle on her food. (Tracie does that seem like a correct dosage? She's 50 grams) I mixed it in the carnivore care and in the process of force feeding her she was very belligerent. it was frustrating but showed a strong will. She has started to shed and I find they are less interested in eating then.
I did in the end get the meds in her but her squirming loosened her scab it had stayed in place for quite a while and I'd hoped it would not fall off again. My fault tho... I was holding her in a paper towel but she didn't have a bandage on at the moment.
I'll mix the capsule with even less food next time to make it easier to administer. It wasn't mixed with much but she wasn't interested in any so less would be easier. Does it taste bad? Wondering if that was part of the reason she resisted. Wishing I'd had her bandage on.
All in all she seems to be doing better I think. Even before the voriconazole. Probably because she's on toltrizural paste instead of albon now.

Will update again soon.
Thx for all advice and encouragement!
Praying Hermie will be turning the corner soon.
Gabrielle

 

[Gab122]

Post script:
Expecting 18-25" of snow tomorrow! Fingers crossed we don't lose power but I found some foot warmers at walmart that only heat up to 98 degrees so I'll put a towel on them and let the dragons stay warm on that. Is that ok? It won't burn them right?

Also, It contains charcoal to absorb odor (?!) that won't bother the dragons will it, if the warmer is wrapped in a towel?

Anyone else in this storm's track?
Thx
Gab

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm envious of the snow you're going to get =). The hand warmers wrapped in towels work well for heating dragons. I use that setup on road trips and have lots on hand in case of extended power outages. I also have a battery backup system (designed for computers) hooked up to the lights. It's a more expensive option but will keep the lights running for several hours if the power goes out.

 

[Gab122]

Hi cooperdragon!
Sounds Cool! What's the name of the battery back up system/ brand? Cheaper than a generator!

It's exciting to get this much snow even if we do shovel ourselves. (driveway isn't too long) plus schools already cxl for our daughter! For tues and Wed! And hubby is working from home both days! So all I need is to keep power and I'm happy.

I'll keep you posted on how we do.
Gab