What is Wrong with Falcor?

[Beccaclocher]

Hello! Thank you for taking the time and reading my post. I rescued Falcor 4 years ago from a family member who could not care for him properly. Falcor has been the highlight of my life since having him. When I first got Falcor, I chose to continue with the Vet the previous owner went to. It turned out that when he was first brought in for care (with prev. owner), he had a case of yellow fungus, which the owner neglected to treat with BOTH recommended treatments (one topical and 1 injectable). I worked for years clearing ALL OF THE FUNGAL infection (topicals, oral and injectables)and things were gong great, until they weren't. His front hand (thumb and pointer finger) are growing out straight, he is acting like it hurts, he is throwing himself on his back and it is very alarming for me to see this. I feel that he is in pain and am scared for him, I called the Vet and we have an appt on Friday but am afraid they are going to want to amputate the fingers.

I have been soaking him, using Betadine and using Aquaphor on his thickened skin really helps with the build up of skin, but but not any more.


PLEASE HELP ME, this is my only pet and he means the WORLD to me

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It is looking better. What did they say about that area on the finger? Hopefully he will be feeling
more energetic soon, with the new lighting.
Be sure to keep him well hydrated while he is on the antibiotics right now, as they do tend to
dehydrate them somewhat.

Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

Hello,

It is looking better. What did they say about that area on the finger? Hopefully he will be feeling
more energetic soon, with the new lighting.
Be sure to keep him well hydrated while he is on the antibiotics right now, as they do tend to
dehydrate them somewhat.

Tracie

Hi Tracie! The Vet did not like the look of his finger and found it quite perplexing- hopes that antibiotic will improve (has not seen this prior to Falcor in a patient). He has already had 2 injections and is acting like his normal self again. I just got an update with his labs. Calcium, organs and electrolytes are within normal range. He IS fighting an infection according to his complete blood count and is mildy dehydrated. I am soaking his for 20 minutes daily (per Vet order). After he completes the 30 day course of injectable antibiotics, we will have a repeat blood draw, if infection is still present, another round of antibiotics will be prescribed to him.

 

[Drache613]

Hello!

Oh I agree, it is an odd look for sure. Hopefully the antibiotic will help it out, if there is some infection
going on there. That's great to hear Falcor is starting to feel better after a couple of injections. Be sure
to give oral fluids too since he is a bit dehydrated, because the antibiotics tend to dry them out. Are you
giving probiotics too?
I'm glad to hear his blood values were normal range. I hope his white blood cell counts get back within
range soon.

Keep us posted on his progress.

Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

Falcor has been a rock star with receiving his injections. I do not know of any probiotic that are available, do you have any recommendations? He is improving day by day and I am very happy thus far with the progress. I have been soaking him for a minimum of 20 minutes per day to absorb as much water as possible. Do you recommend I take a syringe and orally provide water to him as well? Sorry - just want to be sure I am taking care of him the best I can.

Thank you so much for your caring words and concern

 

[Beccaclocher]

Hi Tracie! The Vet did not like the look of his finger and found it quite perplexing- hopes that antibiotic will improve (has not seen this prior to Falcor in a patient). He has already had 2 injections and is acting like his normal self again. I just got an update with his labs. Calcium, organs and electrolytes are within normal range. He IS fighting an infection according to his complete blood count and is mildy dehydrated. I am soaking his for 20 minutes daily (per Vet order). After he completes the 30 day course of injectable antibiotics, we will have a repeat blood draw, if infection is still present, another round of antibiotics will be prescribed to him.

Sorry- I meant the vet DID look at the foot.

 

[xp29]

Falcor has been a rock star with receiving his injections. I do not know of any probiotic that are available, do you have any recommendations? He is improving day by day and I am very happy thus far with the progress. I have been soaking him for a minimum of 20 minutes per day to absorb as much water as possible. Do you recommend I take a syringe and orally provide water to him as well? Sorry - just want to be sure I am taking care of him the best I can.

Thank you so much for your caring words and concern

Soaking absolutely does nothing to hydrate them unless they actually drink in the bath. That is one of the worst pieces of misinformation we see over and over.
Drinking water is the only way to keep hydrated (this includes water on food).
A syringe is hard to control the amount that comes out, and you could easily aspirate them like that. The best way I've found is an eyedropper. It is much more controllable. Just drip it on their snout and they should start lapping it up. Go slow at their pace. Pause and give them a chance to breathe occasionally.
If they won't start lapping it, you can add in a little non-citrus juice or punch to give it flavor. That almost always works.
If you use any kind of juice be sure to use a wet cloth to wipe away any that runs down their chin. No need to take a chance on causing bacteria or fungus to start in their scales.

 

[Beccaclocher]

Soaking absolutely does nothing to hydrate them unless they actually drink in the bath. That is one of the worst pieces of misinformation we see over and over.
Drinking water is the only way to keep hydrated (this includes water on food).
A syringe is hard to control the amount that comes out, and you could easily aspirate them like that. The best way I've found is an eyedropper. It is much more controllable. Just drip it on their snout and they should start lapping it up. Go slow at their pace. Pause and give them a chance to breathe occasionally.
If they won't start lapping it, you can add in a little non-citrus juice or punch to give it flavor. That almost always works.
If you use any kind of juice be sure to use a wet cloth to wipe away any that runs down their chin. No need to take a chance on causing bacteria or fungus to start in their scales.

Scott thank you so much! This advice is phenomenal! I will pick up the eye dropper today and start immediately. He does drink when he is soaking, almost every time he soaks. I use my finger and let the water drop onto his snout and he laps it up that way as well. Good advice about the non-citrus juice! Thank you!

 

[NickAVD]

I do not know of any probiotic that are available, do you have any recommendations?

I've used NutriBAC and can't say anything bad about them

 

[xp29]

Scott thank you so much! This advice is phenomenal! I will pick up the eye dropper today and start immediately. He does drink when he is soaking, almost every time he soaks. I use my finger and let the water drop onto his snout and he laps it up that way as well. Good advice about the non-citrus juice! Thank you!

If he drinks in that bath that works also, but to many baths can dry out their skin.

 

[xp29]

I've used NutriBAC and can't say anything bad about them

Oh I haven't seen that before, I bookmarked the page, I'll be ordering some of that. Thank you

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is the eye dropper working for your dragon? That is good to hear he drinks during his bath,
that really helps out a lot. At least he is doing well during his antibiotic injections. How long will he
be on them for?
Nutribac is a very good powdered probiotic. That should help while he is on the antibiotics.

I hope Falcor is feeling better soon.
Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

I have another inquiry.. My husband and I will be going away 12/23-1/2. Falcor will be finished with his antibiotics on 12/20/24. I have 2 neighbors who will be coming in daily to change water, food, clean the cage and visit with him so he is not lonely. I also got a timer for his tank so the lights automatically go off/on at the proper times. I will have his salad/vitamins pre packaged for daily as well to make it easier for my neighbors to care for him.

Do any of you have other suggestions? We went away last year for Christmas and brought the tank to my brothers house, we cam back to a broken tank (would rather keep him comfortable home).

Any advice would surely be appreciated, and thank you all again for your time.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is terrific you have a couple of neighbors to come by.
If they are knowledgeable on how to care for him, per your
instructions, he will be ok short term while you are gone.
The primary thing is to make sure his lights are on & that he
isn't sitting in the dark, being too cold.
I'm sure his tank wont be broken this time!
You could put a little camera setup in there, that you could
check on via your phone using an APP if you wanted to.

Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

Hello,

How is the eye dropper working for your dragon? That is good to hear he drinks during his bath,
that really helps out a lot. At least he is doing well during his antibiotic injections. How long will he
be on them for?
Nutribac is a very good powdered probiotic. That should help while he is on the antibiotics.

I hope Falcor is feeling better soon.
Tracie

The eye dropper is working well! His nail looks better and appears that there is now blood flow in it. No longer growing straight out- it has a slight curve to it

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That's wonderful the eye dropper method is working well for him. It sounds like his nail should be
ok, even if it as a slight curve to it.


Tracie