We Have a Case of Pneumonia

[Drache613]

Hello Jason,

That is great you have him go to sleep on you, I am sure he loves that!
Keeping him warm will definitely help his immune system & expedite his medication to work better, too.
The black beard is just his way of exhibiting stress or discomfort from the medications. It is quite normal. You are keeping him hydrated so hopefully using the probiotics will help out his tummy.
It is very stressful when you are caring for an ill dragon. I hope he is feeling better soon!

Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[izzbo]

Thanks for the kind words. My vet said this shouldn't upset his tummy or dehydrate him and everything I've read on this board says the opposite. She is one of the 2 reptile specialists there but it worries me that I hear this contradicting info. I wonder if she has more experience w/dogs and this med. She asked me yesterday if I wanted to try another antibiotic but it was up to me (you think she would be the one advising me). I told her I would stay on this path b/c Baytril is trusted and used a lot in these types of cases and she said that was probably the best thing to do.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is he doing today?
The Baytril will be fine for him right now. It is probably the most routinely used medication for pneumonia & other respiratory issues. If it persists though, you can consider nebulization for help with respiratory problems, also.
Continue with the probiotics, they will definitely help him out! How are his colors looking now?

Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[izzbo]

Well Klaude has had a black beard (different shades) most of the day since we started the medication which was a week ago today. He isn't gaping or gasping for air and no mucus is there. I called the vet to give an update and to see if she wanted to see him again. She said she didn't think an exam would be needed but wanted to add an additional anti-biotic since his beard is black and not returning to it's normal color.

I was surprised but she is worried the pneumonia isn't getting better and there may be a stain of bacteria that isn't getting killed.

My concern is he didn't start the black beard until the first day we started the meds but I'm not a doctor so I really don't know what is correct or not.

Does this seem like a good idea to add an additional anti-biotic?

EDIT: I just picked up the additional meds from the vet and it's Zithromax. I have to give it to him once every 3 days.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

No, he doesn't need addtional medication right now. The Baytril is enough. Too much harsh antibiotics will do him more harm than good. How long has he been on the Baytril so far? I would give it a bit of time to work. Be sure he is well hydrated, too. A black beard is discomfort & or stress.
He didn't have a black beard until he started the meds, right?
Have you started him on probiotics also?
Really the only way to determine if he is not improving & that there is a different bacteria would be to do a mouth swab to culture bacteria in the mouth, or a lung lavage (aspirating fluids from the lung) to determine bacteria.
Is he eating any better now?
Let us now how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[izzbo]

Tracie,

Thanks for the reply. I wish you were here with me to chat w/the vet Today will be his 7th day on Baytril. And the first few days I'm not sure he was getting 100% of his dose b/c I was learning how to give him his meds since this is my first sick beardie.

And no he did not have his black beard until the day I started the meds.

I have been using Bene-Bac since the 2nd day. He doesn't like it but I still try every day at 4 PM. I break off the end of a Q-Tip and place a pea size bit on there and try to get it into his mouth but I don't know how much he is actually getting.

In terms of eating this right in the middle of his brumation time so he is being picky but pickier than usual. He ate 2 supers the past 2 days and 1 today. He only wants the ones that just shed their shells. He'll eat those right away. I've tried offering horn worms and repti-worms. And I don't think he's touched his salad.

My biggest issue is what to do w/the additional meds. In your opinion how long to do give the Baytril time to work and how would I know if it's working or not? I don't know why he has the beard and am afraid it may be b/c of discomfort from the breathing but I don't know.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How are things?
It really sounds like the Baytril is what is bothering him. Usually they stay on it for 7-12 days, or so. He could stay on it for up to 21 days. It can be somewhat harsh on the system. lf it still doesn't clear it up you can change the medication types, or consider nebulization.
Is he still having a hard time breathing?
You can hold onto those meds, you never know when you may need them.
It sounds like he doesn't mind the benebac then. A little bit will definitely help him out.
The medication will affect the appetite so it is normal for him not to eat much. If he is trying to brumate, he will have a reduced appetite, also.
Is he sleeping well at night?
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[izzbo]

He ate some weighs and a bite of salad but something started yesterday that has me worried. When he started the meds he would bask for an hour, come down and then if he would go back up to the warmer spots irf place him there. By afternoon he would settle in.

As of yesterday he didn't want to stay in the basking spots for very long. I place him in a spot and he is down in 5 to 10 minutes. I thinking it could be the comfort of these positions on his breathing. Any ideas?

And he appears to be sleeping fine. When I check on his tennis at night he is a sleep.

I'll ask about the nebulizer and see what the vet says.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is he doing today?
Is he sleeping with his head up?
Does he seem to breathe better when he is warmer or in a certain position?

I am glad he is sleeping well right now. Try to keep the humidity low for him & it warm in the tank for him overnight, too. Did you ask the vet about a nebulizer?

Tracie