Throwing Up for 3 Days

[piscesxo8]

Hi guys - I have a 2 year old male named Puff and I've never had any issues before with him - he's been healthy since a baby! 3 days ago he threw up a gross brown liquid mess. I noticed there was still old salad in his bowl so I quickly removed it and was hoping maybe that had just given him a tummy ache and he would be fine. He's never thrown up before but he has maybe just a handful of times eaten some withered salad I forgot to take out and he's been fine. I don't usually put a water dish in his cage but I filled his big bowl up half way and have been getting him to drink from it. I haven't given him anything to eat since he threw up. Yesterday he threw up again. He tries to eat it. He's been alert but not active, sluggish when I pick him and he just tries to sleep on me. I was worried that he wasn't moving enough when I pick him up but then I checked on him a few minutes after I put him back and he had climbed up his basking spot and had his body and head pushed up but it seems he's mostly just laying around. Today is day 3 and I was expecting him to feel better but he's still crappy. He hates baths so I haven't bathed him because I don't want him more stressed. The first day that he puked he had a large bowel movement earlier in the day. He also pooped a bit this morning so that seems normal. Before he puked he had eaten super worms like normal and there were still a few crawling around his cage. Before I gave him the salad that withered, he didn't have any salad for about 3 days. He's usually pretty good with eating his salad though and I would say he eats salad usually about 5 times a week. His temps are normal - nothing has changed with that except I recently bought a new basking spot bulb since - its an Exoterra 100W - I don't think that's the problem but I'm not sure if I've ever bought that brand before. I am going to grab a new UVB bulb today but I don't think the one I've had on there is more than a few months old. I can't think of anything else to add - there haven't been any changes I can think of - this is just out of the blue. I've never taken to him to a vet before because he's always been healthy but I have googled some in my local area and I am considering taking him. Oh, and I will add that his color is lighter and brighter than usual except his beard is black. What should I do?

 

[mojo505]

Is the liquid he is throwing up clear or mucous-ey or does it look like somewhat digested food?

 

[piscesxo8]

It's just liquid, a brown liquid.

 

[mojo505]

Poor baby. Can you get your little one on something that he can rest on where he is on a decline. You don't want him to aspirate if there is more vomit. Hopefully Tracie or another of the moderators can get to your post soon with more help. Good luck.

 

[piscesxo8]

Thanks - I don't think he's puked today but he's definitely acting the worst since he got sick. I just took him out of his cage and it's like he doesn't want to move. He did eventually pull himself up so I know all his legs are working and he can move if he wants. He let me feel all over him and I can't find anything that seems to be hurting him and his stomach has no hard spots. I'm getting him a warm bath ready even though he hates them, I hope that's a good idea. I'm kind of panicking over here. I just went out and bought a new UVB bulb as well.

 

[mojo505]

Poor baby. Just keep his head out of the water. I would highly recommend basking on the decline after his bath under basking area. Is his beard or tail black?

 

[piscesxo8]

His behavior is terrible. He's barely moving and then all of a sudden it's like he comes back to life. His beard is black and the tip of his tail is black. I read he could be poisoned or it could be toxins in his body. I can't think of anything abnormal that he was exposed to though. Right now he's holding his head up high and basking but earlier after his bath about 15 minutes ago he was passing out. He's not moving right though and he almost fell off his basking spot. Here's pics from his bath.I'm honestly thinking he's dying.

 

[diamc]

Oh dear, he doesn't look good. He is very dehydrated by looking at the top of his head. Make sure his head doesn't go any lower in the water or he could drown. Will he drink water if you drip it on his nose?

Do you have any probiotics on hand that you could give him? Has he been opening his mouth a lot?

 

[piscesxo8]

He tries to drink. I don't have any probiotics.

 

[diamc]

Do you mean he tries to lick off drips but can't?

If you could get either Benebac gel (for reptiles or birds) or some SOY fruit yogurt, it would be a good idea.

 

[piscesxo8]

This morning I got him to drink from his bowl by dripping it on his head and splashing it a little bit. He sticks his face in it first and then he remembers to lick it up. He was trying to drink the bath water and I guess he is drinking it but I'm just concerned with how much he's actually swallowing. I can't get a good look inside his mouth to see if he's having trouble swallowing. He hasn't thrown up today but he's acting worse. I have a syringe and I was going to try giving him water that way. I will definitely look into getting one of your recommendations - thank you!

 

[diamc]

Would be a good idea to get some water into him. If you use the syringe, slowly let it run into the side of his mouth rather than the back to prevent aspiration.

Do you have a heat emitter you can use tonight to keep his tank about 80 degrees to help his immune system?

What are the tank temps and what type of thermometer are you using?

 

[piscesxo8]

I have a small portable heater that I use to warm the area the tank is in or else I noticed the tank gets too cold during the day so I can leave that on all night and his tank will stay warm. His basking spot is usually around 103 and the cool side is about 88-90. None of my local pet stores have the Bene bac, I would have to order it so I am going to grab some soy yogurt. Hopefully he will eat it, I've never fed him yogurt before.

 

[diamc]

Guess the heater would help him out tonight. Would be a good idea to pick up a CHE though to have on hand. If you have to use a heater to keep the tank warm enough during the day, you may need to go up a bulb wattage. What size is the tank and what is the wattage of the heat bulb(s)? Are you using a round gauge (dial) thermometer?

Too bad none of the pet stores have the Benebac. Soy yogurt would work fine, they come in different fruit flavors too. Try putting some on his nose to see if he will lick it off.

 

[mojo505]

Can you get him to a vet Monday? He probably needs fluids at the very least. The beard and the black tail means he is stressed and possibly hurting.