Samsons RI treatment.

[Silkyslim]

I took Samson to the vet 10 days back as I was pretty positive he had an RI. The Dr. confirmed it for me and offered me Baytril for treatment.

He mentioned usually it is injections but since Samson wasn't as developed as usual cases (which I have everyone of YOU to thank for that!) that he would be able to use a new nebulization medication application. I have been putting .3 CC of Batril into the nebulizer with 3ML of saline solution. It takes anywhere from 15-20 mins for the dose to be used up. During that time I have Samson in a little covered aquarium the vet gave me.

To me, it seems his little "cough" has been getting better. The first 4-5 days it sounded exasperated. I could literally here it getting more phlegmy and I attributed it to the medicine starting to work. Today is day 9 and things seem to be improving from my past observations. When he does "cough" it's very light and not congested.

Seeing as how Samson is my first cham and this is my first time using Baytril, I was wondering if this timeline seems to fit what other members have experienced in their past treatments. This is uncharted territory for me, I feel confident we are headed in the right direction to making him completely healthy. I am still curious about others experiences in treating RI's.

He has never lost much of his appetite, especially for supers and I have been giving him as much natural light and water as possible. The water has been plentiful but the weather not so cooperative and has only got under 5 hours natural light since the start of the treatment. He is active and his grip is good, but not as suprisingly strong as I remember (another flag that lead me to the vet.)

Thanks everybody!

 

[Carlton]

Luckily I haven't had to treat a cham for RI in a long time, and never using the nebulizer approach. I would hope it is easier on them than the classic oral or injection course can be. Let us know how he does OK?

 

[Silkyslim]

Well that's just it seems to be working, but since its my first one I was curious bought other experiences.

The nebulizer is pretty nice. Samson doesn't freak out in there he just chills for the most part. I still feel bad buy it beats the other methods. I did catch it early so I'm confident he will be fine.

 

[jannb]

Did your vet do a coulture and sensitivity test to see which antibiotic to use to treat the RI? Baytril will not always work. I would think after a week to 10 days he should be showing some major improvements. My vet has never give me the nebulizer always liquid or injectable antibiotics. I'm attaching a few threads for you below about RI that you might find interesting. Hope they help and that you cham will be ok.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/theres-no-such-thing-uri-14277/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/back-vet-medication-questions-39302/

 

[Silkyslim]

Thanks for the reading Jann, it gave me much to think about.

At the vet he used a sonar to listen to his lungs and it was pretty cool to hear the popping and wheezing in his lungs. When I made the appointment I was told that they don't do culture tests for RI. I wasn't aware that RI like symptoms could be from a few other issues, food for thought indeed. So maybe on his check-up Ill bring that up. What sorts of culture tests would be ideal for this type of thing so I know for the future?

Well today is day 10 and he does seem improved. His color is much more vibrant and his appetite and grip are back to their surprisingly good levels. I went to put him from his free range into his cage for bed and he didn't want to go. He wrapped his tail around me as tightly as I have ever felt.

So I think things are going in the right direction, only the future will tell if it reoccurs. Today I am tweaking my drainage so that my cages rest upon a pvc pipe base and lead into a collection tub, this will move the water away even more as I can get rid of the bottoms to my cages and screen them in.

 

[carol5208]

ok, so your answered my question from your other thread!! Glad your guy seems to be doing better!!!

 

[Silkyslim]

Ohh yeah he's a champ, from what I have read Baytril can be hard on the animal and really I have noticed no side effects other than I can tell he needs more water.

Carol you check out my pretty receptive female pics in the photo gallery?

 

[jannb]

Ohh yeah he's a champ, from what I have read Baytril can be hard on the animal and really I have noticed no side effects other than I can tell he needs more water.

Carol you check out my pretty receptive female pics in the photo gallery?

Be sure to keep him well hydrated and keep up posted on his improvement.

 

[Silkyslim]

I been keeping him more hydrated than the mist king timer has. Generally after his dose of medicine, I take him outside to the hibiscus and let him hang in the sunglight while I mist him from a few feet away using the wind currents.

Still don't see him drink during those times but at least I feel better knowing I am offering more, just wish he would take advantage of it.

I think imma order some hornworms or silkies on Friday once I get my fat paycheck (93.47 hrs. last pay period) to help boost his hydration even more.

 

[Silkyslim]

Well so far so good I would say. I chilled with Samson outside and he is quite the active cham. He must be feeling better because he really is all over the place! He wasn't content staying in his tree outside and wanted to wander the yard some. Here he is exploring out in his free range, I have't seen those oranges and yellows in a long while. Ide let ya know how his hydration was as he was about to go to the bathroom........on me but I wasn't too keen on that personally.

I still have a few doses of medicine left that I will be using up and I can still hear him "cough" once in a while but he has also done that since day 1 but it doesn't sound inflamed as it was the past months.

 

[jannb]

He's a gorgeous boy! Glad to hear that he's improving.

 

[carol5208]

Kyle, glad Samson is improving. He is looking awesome!!!!