any suggestion for otc antibiotic - I am losing her

[little leaf]

yes, I think she feels a little better- she has been more of a green , not so much gray anymore- I know she still can not see - so when I go to pick her up I tap the branch so she knows I am about to offer my hand to her- she hops right up but I was telling Lauri, when I mist her she jumped right off the branch - thankfully she caught the springy plant and did not fall, but we are going to put her misting on hold for now, and just spay the cage, not her - I think it scared her - made me jump when she did - lol she just flung herself , so maybe when her eye is able to see again she will be better about it I will be so happy when she goes poop - she has not gone once for me yet- but she does not look like she has any type of mass or distended abdominal issue - but she does sit all puffy - in her chest - but I think that is from the uri - correct ??

 

[squeekz1992]

Good That's cute! I think you two will have a nice bond once she gets better that would scare me too! Pascal jumped off of his tree the day after he had surgery and I about died. Rest his soul... Chams are a lot of fun I am really glad she's doing better.

As for being puffy--I would say maybe? Not sure. Hopefully she goes for you soon. If she doesn't, what my vet did for Pascal was gave mineral oil (.5cc's per day) it acts as a laxative! Pascal pooped like 10 times the first 2 days I gave him his lol

 

[HolyToledo]

dr.o told me mineral oil is not good for laxative. if they aspirate it, it won't be absorbed? use bits of juicy fruits like grape or pears. i keep a jar of pear baby food in the freezer and give a dab a couple of times a day and have always gotten results by the third day.

keeping my fingers crossed for you

 

[DavidBuchan]

That is great! I'm so glad to hear she is improving!!

Lots of water while you are giving her Baytril!! It's important, In my experience, I saw more yellow in the urate while giving baytril, so be careful and really watch that she drinks!

Good advice, she needs the Baytril. Extra water will lessen any kidney damage.

 

[little leaf]

thank so much for all the great advice- I posted a new thread - YAY POOP ! lol she finally went ALOT she seems to be doing so much better now - but I am really giving her alot of water - I hope its enough - she still wont drink or eat on her own - but did eat a wax worm I place in her mouth , I was so happy she will eat like that again, but still keeping on her bug juice

 

[Sohumvet]

You are doing a great job with her! Keep up the good work.

 

[ChameleonMom]

Excellent work on nursing her back from the brink! I will comment about the Baytril/water issue though...keep her hydrated! When my female veiled was on Baytril, even though I spray her 3 - 4 times a day and have a dripper, I would not always see her drink so I would take her at least once a day and use a small syringe with a towel on my lap and drip water on the tip of her nose. It may take awhile - be patient but eventually she will drink or at least make swallowing motions. When they do that, even though the mouth isn't open, they are still getting water. I always felt better if I personally witnessed her drinking. When she's had enough, she'll let you know!

 

[Kazboots]

Hi, I am the one who first found the Cham at the reptile show. She was being looked at by complete novices because she was cheap, one of the most interested included a kid whose parents were not even willing to pay $40 for a cage that was actually too small for her in my opinion but yet they did not have a cage or a clue what to set her up in. I bought her as soon as they were out of earshot.I do not do Chams at home but have taken care of them in an educational facility and I usually end up responsible for them AFTER they get sick so it has put me off keeping them myself because most of my experience has been trying to save last ditch effort ones. Even at the show she just had SO much personality and despite the missing eye was just a character. She has fight and even though I knew her such a short time I am attached to her and love her and have been watching for updates knowing that Chams can go either way quickly.
Despite being a novice I feel that she is in the best hands she can be in in this area. Hopefully the dedication will help turn the tide. I wanted to come on to say that she is not exaggerating the problems with getting knowledgeable vet care in this area in a hurry for exotics especially chams. Most vets even for obvious things such as minor cuts or an eye infection that even the Merck will tell you what to do for that species they will just plain refuse care. Even for something like a rat that is the species that most cat and dog treatments are tested on first so there are documented treatments. I have had vets who do not know me feel that I am overreacting and want to schedule an appt for days later. They are not even the same as treating even a bearded dragon and other reptiles and with as fast as this little one was going downhill you can't afford mistakes or waste any time, she needed the RIGHT THING,RIGHT NOW. I am very grateful for all the help and advice to help this little one have a chance.
I don't care what name she has i am just praying she lives.

 

[little leaf]

Thanks Kaz =) I am really trying ,and so is she - and I thank everyone - with out all the help from everyone, I would not have known what to do, or what to even get for her- and you are so good at what you do too with all your little guys

we did name her Gail- ( that is what Dave said when I told him she was not feeling well- lol even Dave is peaking in on her now to be sure she is ok

 

[Sohumvet]

Any updates?

 

[little leaf]

she is still about the same , she did watch a bug on my hand , but did not want to eat it - I think her eye still has something in it, she still will only open it for a few sec - and rubs it non stop - I got this eye wash, but an not sure if it is ok to use, and I can not figure out how to att/ the pic to a pm to the person who is helping me - do you know if it is ok to use ? anyone??
TY =)

 

[Sohumvet]

That will be ok to use to flush the eyes out.

 

[little leaf]

THANK YOU I did not want to use it unless I knew - she has enough going on and the last thing I wanted to do was use the wrong stuff ~ now, here is ANOTHER ? I have - I was reading on here, and saw a post that said they use the water the drink to wash their eye from the INSIDE -like they push the water from the mouth to the eye - if she is eating bug juice , is she putting that in her eye ? she tries to wash her eye the whole time I am feeding her- maybe that is what might be making it also so irritated ? i can not find the post I saw that on, but she dose make her eye go "buggy" ( the first time I saw it I thought her eye was going to fall out- then she put it back to normal ) she is such a neat little soul - I am learning so much on how to care for a sick cham ( those are the only kind I have had so far- lol) I wont know what to do once she is healthy - she is doing better on her breathing - she does not sound like a rice crispy anymore

 

[little leaf]

this can not be good

this happened when I fed her this Am - all on my lap - ick ! she seems to have no digestion going on - I know her temps are warm enough for digestion ( 88) this is just about everything she has eaten for the last few days - and the yellow in her bm.....it smelled like death - what do I do ? keep feeding - stop ? I am so worried - maybe she needed a good clean out? her bm was once again huge - I do not know what to do as far as feeding her - she ate the bugs fine , all I did was place them in her mouth, and she willing ate them - any ideas what is going on - her grip is still good- but I can tell she is getting weak - and I was so hopeful this am

 

[Kate]

If they are mealworms we know they are hard to digest. If she was mine I would carry on with bug juice, let her eat what she is able to as an extra. She is on meds and poorly but improving. I don't think you can expect a normal poo till she is eating on her own and off meds. Hang on in there. You are doing great.

 

[DavidBuchan]

she seems to have no digestion going on - I know her temps are warm enough for digestion ( 88)

It's not as bad as it looks, there is certainly some digestion going on. I also would keep up what you are doing, maybe with a few less worms for now.

 

[little leaf]

ok, thanks so much guys - she only had a few meal worms, a few days ago - mostly she has been eating 2 crix, and 2 wax worms and her bug juice - I cut all the "crunchy" parts off the crix- well, a leg or 2 may have gotten in - and smush the heads of the worms to only get her soft parts - she still wont really open her eye , but she will for a few sec/s - and I place the bugs on her lower jaw and she eats them - or spits them out-
this is so nerve racking - I will keep at it - but I was already told no more solids today for her - so liquid it is

 

[biochemnerd808]

Awww, I just read through your whole thread... I hope things look up soon!

Have you had her feces tested for parasites? Parasites are often to blame for a terrible feces smell. Also, probiotics (small amt of probiotic yogurt mixed into the bug juice, or powdered probiotics mixed into the bug juice) may also help her digestion. Especially since she has received antibiotics, which kill off bad bacteria as well as good gut-bacteria... this may be necessary anyway to help her have good nutrition absorption.

 

[laurie]

Hi Cheryl, I am sorry I couldn't talk with you while I was at the hospital. Update me on everything that has happened the last couple, when we haven't talked.

 

[little leaf]

no, I did not even think to save it - but I will for sure the next one and have it tested -

she is getting weak - I do not understand - she is now 1.6 oz - she has gained back the weight she lost- but she will not eat, open her eye , move, or drink unless I do it for her - how can she gain weight, and still be doing so bad ? I am also confused as to how she is still alive, I did not know they had such stamina, she is sure a fighter , I offered her a few worms to her lips ( do they have "lips" ? lol ) and she ate them very quickly , so IF you put it in her mouth, she seem to want to eat- she needs more food, her grip is still very strong, but her balance seems off - but if I feed her to much I am afraid she will throw up again - how long do you think she will be like this? I dont mind at all doing for her =) I just would think she would have gone one way or the other by now- she sleeps all day except for when I am feeding her, or giving her a shower - the only time she is green is when I have her on my hand - as soon as I put her back in her cage she goes gray - I feel so bad for her - but WE are not giving up
I have seen on post some ppl giving baby food - should I add some of that to her bug juice ? I have 1000 cricket that will be here Sat/ - so I have to go get them some goodies, should I pick up some baby food for her? if so, what do you recommend ?
Thanks again so much for all the help, I know she would not still be here if it were not for the help she and I have received from everyone
and Laurie , I hope you are feeling better you rest !!! stay out of that snow !! LOL