Zeke Fatty Live Disease - Update w/ Pics

[Bwalter]

Just checking to see how Zeke is doing for you.

 

[Mirrorakay]

He is still doing pretty much the same. He is still bubbling out of his nose, but hasn't actually vomited since Wednesday. My vet hasn't been able to talk to the other vet he was trying to get a hold of yet so we're just waiting to hear back.

 

[Mirrorakay]

I think the lack of food may finally be really wearing on Zeke. He slept the entire day today and as the day got later it was harder to wake him. I'm really hoping we just had a bad day and I'll see him up on his basking spot tomorrow. Everyone is trying so hard and we're getting so close to figuring everything out-- it will be heartbreaking if his body give up before we can solve this. We're at about 8 1/2 weeks without food and I honestly don't know how long my man can go.

However, I think the Fresh Digest might have made some improvement. I can't be sure because we changed a few other things after adding the Fresh Digest. Anyways, the amount of food bubbling out of his nose seems to have decreased some. Now, I know it could also be the change up in his food schedule (it seems more likely, but I think the Fresh Digest would lead to a better outcome). With the new schedule he gets 8mls of food every other day rather than 5mls every day. After a good vomit I've noticed the he bubbles less for a few days, basically until his stomach becomes fuller. Well, he had a vomit on Wednesday day and I'm still not seeing excessive amounts of food coming out of his nose. That could means the Fresh Digest is working, his stomach just needs longer to process the food than usual, or that, since the new schedule results in less food overall, his stomach simply isn't getting to the 'full' point so quick. I really hope it is either of the first options.

So there is a chance that food is actually making it into him now, but seeing as how things seem to continue to stray from the way we want them to go, I just don't feel the hope that I want to.

Also, I know I mentioned a while back that holding him seemed to be causing him discomfort and I was hesitant to spend time with him as a result. Today I was able to have him sleep on my lap for nearly an hour, wrapped up in a nice beardie burrito. He is no longer cramping because of the constipation and as long as I make sure his head is tipped up, he doesn't bubble much at all. It was pretty much the first time since this whole ordeal started that I was able to hold the little man. I'm not sure he was really a fan of the cuddles, but it was nice not to be either staring at him in his tank or sticking a tube down his throat.

 

[Esther19]

You are doing an awesome job taking care of Zeke. Good news that he hasn't vomited since Wednesday. So nice that you could hold him today. I'm sure he enjoyed the cuddles as much as you did, but was too tired to show it. Hang in there!

 

[Amy2]

That is great that you got to hold him for an hour! I am sure he enjoyed it too! It is encouraging that he hasn't vomited since Wednesday. I hope he has a little more energy today. You are doing awesome with him! ((((hugs))))

 

[Irwinshealth]

Today I was able to have him sleep on my lap for nearly an hour, wrapped up in a nice beardie burrito.

I'm so happy you were able to do this. He probably hasn't felt love without pain for a long time. I'm sure the up and down is terrible for you. Just know that we are still all here rooting him on.

I just don't feel the hope that I want to.

This is understandable you have seen him struggle so much
Hang in there and maybe he will be a big fan of cuddles when he gets healthier!

 

[Mirrorakay]

Thought I'd pop in really quick to say that Zeke seemed a little more energetic today. I was gone most of the day, but I came home to find him sleeping about halfway up on his basking spot. Mind you, despite getting up on his basking spot daily, he is sleeping most of the time so it wasn't unusual to see him snoozing. I'm just glad to see he had the energy to get himself that far. The vet is supposed to call me tomorrow so I'm hoping I have more news then.

 

[Esther19]

Thanks for sharing the good news. Anxious for the vet's report. Hang in there!

 

[Mirrorakay]

I'm still waiting around for the vet to call. However, I can tell you guys that Zeke is having another day like Saturday. He didn't get on his basking spot and slept most of the day away. We did get a good bath in though so I'm happy with that; at first he was set on sleeping through the bath, but I splashed around enough that he took a few big drinks of water. After the bath he was fairly alert so I used it as an opportunity to snap some pictures of his so you guys can get a better look at his physical health.

His sunken eyes:

His fat pads (I don't think we have anything left to lose in that area):

And his whole body:

Picture quality isn't great since it was on my phone, but it is the most alert I've seen Zeke in a while so it was the best opportunity to get good pictures of him. It doesn't show well in the picture, but his back is pale. I don't know if that is because his health is declining more or because he is getting ready to shed that area.

Anyways, that is the little man you've all helped me so much with. Zeke and I both appreciate all the support we've gotten here so far and I hope that we can get through this so we can get some healthy pictures of my guy up here some day!

 

[diamc]

Poor baby, he is going through so much. Hopefully you will be able to get some food into him that will stay with him to help put some wt back on. You're doing an awesome job and we're all pulling for Zeke. Did you hear from the vet today?

Hang in there and give Zeke lots of cuddles for us. I'm sure he was very aware that he was asleep on your lap.

 

[LadyMeridius]

Hugs for Zeke!!! He needs them! I hope your vet gets back to you soon!

 

[Mirrorakay]

No word from the vet today. He was supposed to give me a call, but I guess he didn't have time. I'm going to call tomorrow and see if I can't talk to him at the time I call. About half the time my vet is able to come ot the phone right then and there so maybe I will get lucky tomorrow.

And despite waking up a lot during his bath, he went pretty much right back to sleep after going back into his tank. He didn't bother to get up to his basking spot or anything. Just crashed where I put him. I'm honestly a bit confused by that. From what I can tell, food seems to be able to stay in him better now and his beard looks awesome, but now he is sleeping and not moving for the entire day. That's a little backwards from what I would have expected. However, like I said earlier, there's also a chance his stomach just isn't full yet and soon we'll see more vomiting once we fill him up more. I don't know. This is so frustrating.

 

[XtinaBeardieMom]

No word from the vet today. He was supposed to give me a call, but I guess he didn't have time. I'm going to call tomorrow and see if I can't talk to him at the time I call. About half the time my vet is able to come ot the phone right then and there so maybe I will get lucky tomorrow.

And despite waking up a lot during his bath, he went pretty much right back to sleep after going back into his tank. He didn't bother to get up to his basking spot or anything. Just crashed where I put him. I'm honestly a bit confused by that. From what I can tell, food seems to be able to stay in him better now and his beard looks awesome, but now he is sleeping and not moving for the entire day. That's a little backwards from what I would have expected. However, like I said earlier, there's also a chance his stomach just isn't full yet and soon we'll see more vomiting once we fill him up more. I don't know. This is so frustrating.

Glad to hear Zeke is hanging in there! I can see why you're confused about him being so sleepy, but some dragons can honestly be exhausted by recovery - so maybe it's not such a bad sign. My little Lotus was certainly exhausted as she was recovering from her bout of illness. She was just trying so hard to get better, and I'm sure your Zeke is trying very hard for you as well. Thanks for the updates, keep them coming! *snuggles for Zeke* :love5:

 

[LadyMeridius]

Hmm if his beard is awesome and he is keeping food down, maybe its just from his system being out of alignment? I would imagine it being rather exhausting to be ill for so long. Baby steps! C'mon Zeke - YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[Mirrorakay]

I suppose it could just be exhaustion. After all, he spent the last month seriously ill and nearly two months prior kind of ill. I'd be trying my hardest to sleep too. I know my little guy is giving this everything he has. He has that kind of will that just keeps holding on. I just want all of his effort to pay off.