Swelling of casque and cheeks

[Erica1884]

So recently I noticed my male veiled Cham had swelling of his casque and cheeks. I was baffled and researched for days, scrolling through old posts here and in a Facebook group. I saw everything from over hydration, fat storage, liquid build up, MBD, and infections. No matter what I could not find any clear answer. Even worse on these posts from years ago, no one ever came back and said the outcome or what the vet diagnosed.... well I just returned from the vet and wanted to share the information in case anyone else has a similar problem in the future... the vet has diagnosed it as subcutaneous emphyesama due to a respiratory infection. My sweet little boy is now on antibiotics and I will update the vet over the next few days and go from there. Most fascinating..... what was in the casque???? Liquid? Fat? Nope .... using a syringe (which almost made me cry) the vet extracted.... AIR!!! I certainly was not expecting that... he concludes that because of the respiratory infection a small gap must have opened up in his airway causing air to fill his casque and cheeks.... crazy. I am hoping this solves the issue and will update. Here are some pics of the swelling

 

[alphakenc]

Thanks for sharing the result,hope ur cham will get better soon.

 

[Erica1884]

Thanks for sharing the result,hope ur cham will get better soon.

No problem. He is still eating and drinking and pooping fine so hoping it will work out okay

 

[xrowdac]

really air... damn

 

[alphakenc]

No problem. He is still eating and drinking and pooping fine so hoping it will work out okay

What did the vet prescribe for his respiratory infections?Amoxicillin ;cephalexin??
Try keep the temperature slightly higher than normal to boost up his immunity system.

 

[Erica1884]

really air... damn

Yeah crazy! So my vet consulted with a few vets there just to all put their heads together on it. And one of the vets said "definitely go ahead and take a sample... but all you are going to get is air" I was like wtf? So crazy...

 

[Erica1884]

What did the vet prescribe for his respiratory infections?Amoxicillin ;cephalexin??
Try keep the temperature slightly higher than normal to boost up his immunity system.

Well that I don't know oops didn't think to ask him what it was I will email him tomorrow and ask just here is a pick of the stuff maybe you can tell by his scribbles it does not have to be refrigerated lol I know that

 

[alphakenc]

Well that I don't know oops didn't think to ask him what it was I will email him tomorrow and ask just here is a pick of the stuff maybe you can tell by his scribbles it does not have to be refrigerated lol I know that

It looks like sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim,is that the red bottles in the pic?

 

[Erica1884]

It looks like sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim,is that the red bottles in the pic?

Yes. There is no label on the bottle itself.

 

[alphakenc]

keep him extra well hydrated get him well soon.

 

[kinyonga]

Is his left front leg swollen...especially at the wrist?

 

[Erica1884]

Is his left front leg swollen...especially at the wrist?

I don't think it is swollen, vet didn't seem concerned. He was in motion in those pictures. Maybe that is what you see? He doesn't have any issues climbing around, really good grips. He is sleeping now otherwise I'd go inspect him... he has had a rough day.

 

[Erica1884]

Is his left front leg swollen...especially at the wrist?

How bout this one?

 

[kinyonga]

Looks like it was just the photo.

 

[xrowdac]

@Erica1884 how much did you spent for the Vet?

 

[OldChamKeeper]

"The Odd Pet Vet" Marketing at it's finest. I love it.

 

[kelly_girl199]

How bout this one?

It's normal. My friend has had a veiled for 2 1/2 years and it's just like that. Nothing wrong with him. He is very healthy.

 

[Erica1884]

@Erica1884 how much did you spent for the Vet?

The entire thing cost $88. Not too bad

 

[Erica1884]

"The Odd Pet Vet" Marketing at it's finest. I love it.

Not sure what you mean by this? My experience with the Odd Pet Vet has been great, Have you heard different?

 

[Erica1884]

So just an update on the situation... Rico has completed his cycle of antibiotics. This was my first time having to give him medicine. Quite the challenge, especially during his really bad shedding moments, but it is done. I am to follow up with the vet in a few days as to how Rico is doing and go from there. His casque and cheeks are still swollen but it has definitely reduced. Knowing that air was what is filling these areas, I can see that sometimes it seems like the casque moves at times, almost like an inhale and exhale (this is not scientifically proven of course). He is still eating, drinking, pooping, and acting like normal. Depending what the vet says, I really don't think I want to continue pumping medicine down his throat. the way I see it, if it is actually leaking air into his casque, antibiotic isn't going to fix the leak, it definitely could have fixed the underlying problem, resp. infection but I am assuming he is just going to continue to have the physical effects. He seems fine and healthy so we will see what the vet says and go from there. Will attach a few new pics after I post this thread.