Zeke Fatty Live Disease - Update w/ Pics

[AHBD]

I'm so sorry....I'm hoping the same thing you are, that the vet says there's hope. If he's not suffering at the moment, he may just need some more rest....but you need to go with your gut, what you see as far as suffering, etc. I really feel for you....hang in there.

 

[Mirrorakay]

That's the thing; I know he is suffering. Not to mention that, despite being able to move around his tank, he cannot walk right and I really don't think it is the constipation. He can get his feet under him to walk, but he sways and his head bobs up and down violently. I really think that the 40-sum minutes last Saturday he had with very limited air left its mark on him.

 

[Tonja]

ive read the whole thread and I am so sorry you are having a time with Zeke and you both are in my prayers. Something occurred to me while reading this though. With all the meds hes on or been on, change in his diet, the drippy nose and mucous I am wondering if he may be allergic to something or combination of things. i had asked my vet about keeping mineral oil for my beardie and she said definately not to ever give him mineral oil due to the properties of it, to keep olive oil and vegetable oil on hand in case of impaction. I asked her due to geico having worms and on meds and not wanting to take his bath or eat. Although some beardies may be able to tolerate mineral oil, she said that others cannot. Somehow though to me, and I am no expert, this sounds like it could have something to do with allergies in combination with other health problems. Just my two cents and remember you are in mine and Geicos prayers!

 

[Mirrorakay]

Alright, I'm back from the vet with a tentatively good update. A few days ago I was talking to the vet and mentioned that I work with children and take my reptiles in to the kids and basically educate kids on the proper care of them. He was able to pull a few string and is having Zeke treated as an "educational program". What that means is I only have to pay for the office visit. Everything that is being done today is free of charge. So anyways, on to what is going on.

Feeling Zeke's abdomen, the vet confirmed that most of his constipation has passed. He has maybe one or two good poos left in him, which is far better than he anticipated. As for the fluid coming out of his nose, the vet isn't entirely sure what is going on. He thinks Zeke either accidentally inhaled some bath water at some point or the sore in his throat is draining into his lungs. He also said that maybe it is regurgitation of medicine and what little food I've gotten into him. Either way he strongly suspects that the sore in his throat isn't healing the way it should. The vet is going to do another round of x-rays and compare them to the ones before to see if he can see anything in the lungs as well as confirm how much poo Zeke still has. He is also going to sedate Zeke and gets a good, clear look at his throat and mouth. All of the times they cleaned the blood clot in his throat were emergency situations where Zeke was thrashing around and completely unsedated. The vet also suspects that after six weeks without food, thus no calcium, is what is causing the tremor in Zeke's walk. He plans to give Zeke a shot of calcium to see if it stabalizes him a bit.

Now that most of that poo has passed, the vet will also be able to get a better look at Zeke's intenstines to see if he can see a portion that isn't working as it should.

We took Zeke's weight and it is now evident the toll that six weeks without food has taken on him. He's skinny compared to what he used to be, but at the same time he was in much worse condition (weight-wise) when I first rescued him.

The vet decided against taking blood work because he has nothing to compare it to and whatever is attacking his system has likely been doing it so long that his body has adapted to it. He would like to do an endoscopy to get a better look at his insides, but believes Zeke is too weak right now to handle something like that. The vet said that if Zeke regains some of his strength we can reconsider that option.

Anyways, I'll update later this afternoon when I go to pick up Zeke.

 

[AHBD]

Well, that sounds like a little bit of positive news. I thought about his throat possibly draining from the infection there. Maybe if that cleared up, and with some calcium [ and maybe vitamin B ? ...lack of vit.B can also cause the shakes ] he may respond and start a slow turn around. At least a ray of hope, huh ? And what a kind vet to help you out for next to nothing....I'm really glad for you !

 

[Mirrorakay]

I just called to see if Zeke is ready to be picked up. He has recovered slowly from the sedative, but seems to be doing fine. My vet is on lunch and wants to talk to me about what he found so I am waiting for a call back. As soon as he calls I will probably be heading over to get Zeke. I'm trying not to worry, but the tech I talked to was very adamant that the vet wanted to talk to me before I get Zeke. Fingers crossed!

 

[Mirrorakay]

I guess I've got good-ish news. Zeke does not have a URI, coccidia, or a systemic infection. The source of all his problems is fatty liver disease. Apparently Zeke got constipated, went off his food, developed fatty liver disease, and then the constipation got MUCH worse. The vet says this is entirely treatable and the key is getting food into Zeke's stomach. When I pick Zeke up the vet is going to give me a tube to put directly into his stomach so I can force feed him. The vet is anticipating that Zeke's appetite will come back in about 3-4 weeks to some degree, but the whole ordeal could last a few weeks longer. It's not good news per se, but now that we know for sure what the problem is, I can get Zeke healthy again.

As for the fluid coming out of his nose, it turns up that it is just liquid from his stomach. The vet saw nothing in his lungs on the x-ray and stuck a camera down Zeke's throat and saw the fluid in his stomach is just like what has been coming out of his nose. Apparently Zeke is just too stubborn to open his mouth to throw-up so it has all been coming out of his nose. The vet thinks I'll continue to see it for a week or two, but it isn't anything to be worried about.

 

[jsnsan]

I think that's great news! However, is the tube going to scratch up his throat? Do you think he will thrash much while you try to feed?

 

[Mirrorakay]

Zeke's throat has healed completely and the tube is a soft rubber. It should be fine. As for the thrashing, you and I have the same concern. The vet is having me come in so he can show me how to do it. Then he will have me practice a few times until I have it down. I'll definately tell you guys how it goes. The vet is hoping that once Zeke gets some energy back he will take to the syringe feedings. As it is right now, he just won't swallow the food I put in his mouth.

 

[jsnsan]

Oh Good. I'm glad his throat is cleared up.
I hope he cooperates for you. Its hard to make them understand that you are just trying to do what is best for them.
Good for you for hanging in there!!

 

[diamc]

Wow, what a roller coaster ride for you. It does sound promising though and Zeke is very strong-willed or wouldn't have survived all this so far. We will be pulling for him (and you) and hope that the tube feedings go well to help him gain some strength so that he could put some wt back on.

You are awesome for doing all of this, he knows you care for him very deeply. Great that it is considered an "educational program" so that you can get a break on the fees.

 

[AHBD]

That is great news ! Hopefully he will cooperate and get himself on the road to recovery. He's been through the ringer, poor Zeke, and so have you. I hope for it all works out.

 

[Mirrorakay]

One question. The vet wants to finish out the course of antibiotics for Zeke as a sort of safegaurd. We're already a little over halfway through the perscription so the vet said we might as well. Anyways, the food I'll be putting in Zeke's stomach is Carnivore Care. Is there any need for a probiotic with the Carnivore Care?

 

[diamc]

I would still recommend using a probiotic since he is still on the antibiotics and even continuing to use them for a few days after is a good idea, certainly won't do any harm and may actually increase his appetite.

 

[Mirrorakay]

I figured, but wanted a second opinion. I just got my Acidophiliz+ in the mail this morning so I'll start that tomorrow. I plan on mixing his antibiotic in with his food to put it directly into his stomach. I think for the probiotic I'll stick with trying to get him to take it orally. Zeke is so dead set against opening his mouth that he is literally vomiting through his nose. Sticking a tube down his throat 2x a day would just be asking for it