Worried about giving my dragon meds

[AchiKat]

Okay, so we took Allie to get her first check up at the vet today and he told us they found coccidia in her sample. He told use that he's not sure the "normal" levels for BD's, so when they see it, they just treat it.

Now, she has no other symptoms other than runny poo, but I heard that her diet of silkies and hornworms could be the cause of that. She eats a ton, she weighs 24g (she's about 8 and a half in. long), she runs around all day...ya know....normal beardie things. So I'm wondering, should I even give her the meds at all? Or just let her be and keep an eye on her activity and weight?

I'm really scared to give her the meds 'cause I've read what it can do to beardies....I'm worried she'll stop eating and it will never pick back up.

Oh, he gave us albon to give to her. And we've read that we need to give her probiotics while she's on her antibiotics, so we already went out and got it, but I'm still worried about giving it to her. What do you guys think? Just let her be her normal, energetic little eating machine? Or give her the meds and hope for the best? I know I'm probably being paranoid about the albon, but I'd rather not put her through the stress of medication if it's not needed.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am waiting to hear back from you with regards to the coccidia levels. Just because she has some doesn't necessarily mean that she needs meds.
What prompted you to take her into the vet, was she not doing well?
If the levels are low enough I usually opt out of medicating unless the health of the dragon is in question, etc.


Tracie

 

[AchiKat]

he wouldnt/couldnt give any specifics about it. all he said is "we detected coccidia" the only sign she shows of the parasite is the runny stool, and i figured that was from the food. we took her in just to get a once over from a vet. since we got her from a pet store wanted to get her bones and growth looked at. also she has what i thought was retained shed, but the vet said it seems morelike scar tissue from a pre existing injury. the stool didnt bother me, i just figured it was because of her new diet of hornworms and silkies.

 

[scubasteve25]

just as a small update, her poo was well formed today with a little water, like extra hydration kinda thing. so idk what's going on.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It sounds like the coccidia levels were somewhat low. They do have a naturally occuring level most of the time, of coccidia that does not affect them.
The hornworms & silkworms cause a little runnier stools sometimes, or if they are well hydrated. Loose stools are not always indicative of parasites or worms.
Is her past injury bothering her at all? It could also be a metabolic bone issue too.

How is she doing today?

Tracie

 

[scubasteve25]

highly doubt its metabolic bone. its a scar on her scales i guess, like a clutch mate nipped her. its not causing her any troubles or discomfort she is her lively regular self. my husbandry is good at least i think so. i spared no expense when setting her up.

 

[AchiKat]

Here's the first post we made about her leg...
http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=151362

And here's the 2nd one...
http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=152221&p=1218977#p1218977

They both have pics.

 

[AchiKat]

*bump*

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your dragon doing now, any updates for us?
Is he off of the medications now?

Tracie

 

[AchiKat]

Oh sorry, forgot to update this one.

She's doing great! We decided to not give her the meds since she didn't really seem to have any symptoms. (all she had was runny poo...which we found out was due to the silkies and hornworms) She's been gaining weight like crazy, runs around all the time, and eats a ton! :shock:

Thanks you guys for everything!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great news then you did not give her the meds since she really did not need them!
Excellent then she is eating a lot & is active. Yes, the silkworms & hornworms do affect water levels & can give them a runnier stool.
I am glad she is doing well for you now!

Tracie