Please Pray for Ego

[jajeanpierre]

Hi Guys, thought id share what it looks like when i have to feed Ego after work. His jaw muscles are really strong so trying to open his mouth without hurting him is a challenge. I would never in my life ever thought of using this type of force on him. Im always gentle with him, always move slowly but i guess in his current state, i have to get some food and water into him, but he doesn't hiss or try and bite after i open his mouth to get the tiny syringe into his mouth. (i always do it from the side, never the front as i have a fear of it going into his lungs). When he does eat it, while he is licking his lips i would put some water on his tongue. This method seems to work well. I have faith in my buddy, his a fighter!

My vet showed me how to use a paper clip to open their mouths. He likes a paper clip because it is flexible if he bites down on it and is rounded. He gently uses it to open his mouth a little bit, then slips the paper clip in his mouth flat. Then he can gently turn it to open it.

You can also cover their nostrils so they open their mouths.

Do you have help? I've given meds on my own and given them with someone helping and having an extra pair of hands makes the whole process so much faster and easier.

 

[Deathadder791]

My vet showed me how to use a paper clip to open their mouths. He likes a paper clip because it is flexible if he bites down on it and is rounded. He gently uses it to open his mouth a little bit, then slips the paper clip in his mouth flat. Then he can gently turn it to open it.

You can also cover their nostrils so they open their mouths.

Do you have help? I've given meds on my own and given them with someone helping and having an extra pair of hands makes the whole process so much faster and easier.

Thanks for the tip! will give it a go. Its normally just me but so far Ive perfected the technique.

Just an update: Ego was looking around a lot today(more activity than usual), his blue colour is also more vivid. It looks like he is improving, but i dont want to say that he is, if his not. But from what im seeing, its relieving/im happy.

 

[laurie]

Just be happy for every little thing that looks like Ego is progressing!! Good news, thanks.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I'm glad he looks a little better!

 

[lovelychams]

Glad to hear his color is coming back. I will keep you guys in my thoughts.

 

[lovelychams]

How is Ego doing?

 

[jajeanpierre]

Thanks for the tip! will give it a go. Its normally just me but so far Ive perfected the technique.

Just an update: Ego was looking around a lot today(more activity than usual), his blue colour is also more vivid. It looks like he is improving, but i dont want to say that he is, if his not. But from what im seeing, its relieving/im happy.

Also, wrap him gently in a towel. Make sure it is snug around his neck so he can't use his front legs. You have to be careful, of course, not to wrap him too tightly.

Just be really, really careful how you handle him. Has the vet made a diagnosis? Is it a spinal injury?

Good luck with him. Glad he's on the improve.

 

[Drakes24]

Awww poor little guy I'll pray for him tonight and you guys as well stay strong and don't give up on him he'll be climbing vines and what not in no time

 

[laurie]

Ego is on the prayer list for my church, we are all here for the two of you.

 

[Jesse brooks]

i will pray for ego and i will put him on the prayer list at my church i know how hard it is to go through this i have a bearded dragon and its recovering from a bruise on its tail and its getting better. i hope ego gets better

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi all, thank you very much for all the prayers and thoughts, i really do appreciate it, you guys are fantastic!

This is the exact message from the specialist that had a look at Ego's xrays.

"Hi

I see nothing overtly wrong. His bone density is a bit below average, provide him with more calcium at feedings.

I do not recommend the use of preds in reptiles, birds or rabbits as they can cause severe immunosuppression and hepatitis. Head trauma, stroke or focal central nervous system pathology would be high on my DD list too. I would continue the baytril and supportive care with feeding and fluids.

Hope he improves
"

Update on Ego:

He seems to be improving, i'm seeing more and more normal behavior returning.
He never liked me stroking his back, particular by his hind legs, after his accident i noticed that he didn't seem to mind it. But now i see a bit of head bobbing returning, which is the way it should be (as i know him). He isn't turning left any more really, his starting to walk straight again(with a bit of wobbling from side to side). Another thing i noticed is that he puffed himself up when our domestic cleaner walked past his container/recovery bin, this is also normal behavior that i see is returning lol.

Ive put a stick in his recovery bin, so that he can "practice" his gripping again.
I have attached his Xray and just another 2 pictures of him the day before his accident.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Hi all, thank you very much for all the prayers and thoughts, i really do appreciate it, you guys are fantastic!

This is the exact message from the specialist that had a look at Ego's xrays.

"Hi

I see nothing overtly wrong. His bone density is a bit below average, provide him with more calcium at feedings.

I do not recommend the use of preds in reptiles, birds or rabbits as they can cause severe immunosuppression and hepatitis. Head trauma, stroke or focal central nervous system pathology would be high on my DD list too. I would continue the baytril and supportive care with feeding and fluids.

Hope he improves
"

Update on Ego:

He seems to be improving, i'm seeing more and more normal behavior returning.
He never liked me stroking his back, particular by his hind legs, after his accident i noticed that he didn't seem to mind it. But now i see a bit of head bobbing returning, which is the way it should be (as i know him). He isn't turning left any more really, his starting to walk straight again(with a bit of wobbling from side to side). Another thing i noticed is that he puffed himself up when our domestic cleaner walked past his container/recovery bin, this is also normal behavior that i see is returning lol.

Ive put a stick in his recovery bin, so that he can "practice" his gripping again.
I have attached his Xray and just another 2 pictures of him the day before his accident.

That's great news. Head trauma and stroke can look really quite dire at first, but resolve quite satisfactorily in time. It often takes a long time for improvement while at other times, the improvement can be sudden and dramatic.

If a chameleon brain is anything like a human brain (and I don't see why not) and he has a head trauma, you want to be extra careful he doesn't ever get another small head injury, even years later.

Great news.

 

[Deathadder791]

Agreed. I have added thick spongy foam the entire length of his enclosure and put some paper over it. This should absorb a lot of energy if he does happen to fall again. His enclosure didn't have a door as i did not want to cage him up but it looks like i will have to limit his free range time to when i am actually at home so i can keep an eye on him. I have made a door so his enclosure is all setup once he has fulled recovered.

 

[laurie]

Nico, am so happy that Ego, is getting better!! You are wonderful with him, and I am sure the love and attention to detail is helping. Love makes us see all the tiny things others could miss. Please keep us updated.

 

[zsazsa85]

I am soo with you!!! I just read your thread!
I will think of Ego and send you all the best thoughts!
Please keep us updated! I wish you both my best!

You can do it Ego! Don't give up!!!!

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi Guys, thought id give an update on Ego.

I would definitely say that overall he is improving.

He eats and drinks via syringe, sometimes easier than other times and he is still getting his Baytril meds everyday.

He ate quite alot when i fed him earlier(we mix the food with some calcium powder), almost looked like he was hungry, gave him quite a bit of water aswell. At the back of my mind i was worried that he hasn't made a poop since his accident. Little did i realize he was actually busy making a poop. i looked down and this monster sized, mother of all poops emerged... shocked at the size i eventually regained control of my own mind and i had a look at his poop. I was quite amazed to find that his urate was a nice white, no orange color what so ever(this is good if im not mistaken, means his hydrated). I must admit that im extremely relieved that he has made a poop, despite the colossal size.

I let him walk on the soft grass today for about 45 minutes during my lunch break so that he could get some exercise.
Still wobbles alot though, will take a video sometime and upload.

Once again. thank you for all the support ladies and gents.

 

[laurie]

Wonderful new!!!! Just knowing Ego is getting better makes my day better. A white urate is just want you want. Even if he is not walking his best I know him being outside walking mush have helped him. Keep up the good work.

 

[lovelychams]

Thanks for the update! Glad he is doing okay. I LOVE the picture that you posted of him looking at the camera. Beautiful little guy.

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi all, here is the video of Ego wobbling. Sorry his blue can hurt one's eyes a bit.

 

[laurie]

His blue color is beautiful!! He is starting to move about on his own, that is improvement for sure. I am sure the sun is good for him also. Keep up the good work.