Reptile & Amphibian Forums

By some miracle...I found a vet tonight. I had heard that there was a herp vet that practiced at an emergency vet clinic and by luck, he was on tonight. Even though I was lectured by the vet-techs on how "reptiles never had emergencies" it cost the same amount it would have if I could have gotten into the normal "daytime" vet.

We combed through my husbandry and I got the "clean-bill"! Only thing he noticed was a little retained shed. Switching to the new misting system should help out.

He was very thorough...found two small fibers in Squiggy's left eye...I had problems with this eye before! He said that he looked very healthy for his age...appropriate weight and size!

Wasn't sure if the fibers were enough to cause his behavior, so he opted to treat on the safe side and sent me home with Batryl to give. At this age, he states that respiratory issues are usually the main concern and we didn't want to wait until he was full blown. All in all, I feel much better.

Side note:

I appreciate the support I get from everyone here. My hubby isn't as empathetic in situations like this. In fact, he is mad at me and my animal addiction right now (too bad).

Because of the shared knowledge, I was able to recognize "when" I needed to have Squig seen. I understand compensation...I have kids, and was a Paramedic for 10 years! Fact is, if you wait until they are really sick...you are in for an uphill battle!

No worries with the "unprotected" UV source. I will remove the screen from it tomorrow. He spent enough time with me until I was satisfied that things would be ok! Learned a few things, and I understand it takes a long time for these guys to get sick, and a long time to get better. No worries on the food and water unless he starts showing downhill slides.

Will keep you all posted....And a big THANKS to everyone.

Kris

P.S. will post some picks in a reply thread
-----
2.1 Black Labs Tucker, Raider and Lacey
1.0 Lepoard Gecko Kumar (Another lost pet RIP and party on with Harold!)
3.0 Horses Smoothie, Rocky and Bogey
1.0 Husbands (he puts up with me)
1.2 Kids-Trevor, Logan and Rylie
1.1 Ferrets Tank and Ellie (The fun fuzzies)
1.1 Veiled Chams Squiggy and Pudge (may she RIP)
0.1 Snowflake Cornsnake Lucky

-----
2.1 Black Labs Tucker, Raider and Lacey
1.0 Lepoard Gecko Kumar (Another lost pet RIP and party on with Harold!)
3.0 Horses Smoothie, Rocky and Bogey
1.0 Husbands (he puts up with me)
1.2 Kids-Trevor, Logan and Rylie
1.1 Ferrets Tank and Ellie (The fun fuzzies)
1.1 Veiled Chams Squiggy and Pudge (may she RIP)
0.1 Snowflake Cornsnake Lucky

Glad he got the fibers from his eye. Not so sure about the Baytril. IMHO, Antibiotics (especially in chameleons) should be used because they're indicated-not as preventative therapy. I honestly believe vets inadvertently kill more herps than they save with Baytril. I'm a big fan of probiotics and that was the first question my vet asked me when I took Thraxxis in-Do you use probiotics? Good luck, Kris. and I understand about your husband. Mine is ditto on the vet visits. diane
-----

dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon

Well, sounds like you found a good vet in the process, but as Diane said, be cautious of overdoing/using antibiotics unnecessarily (just like with kids and the rest of us 2-legged!)

I hope it is just adjustment and he will turn around. Did you have a fecal done?

hmmm...reptiles can't have emergencies? Interesting :-O

Btw, here is an article on Baytril It is more about using it properly but still might give you some insight.
Baytril

-----
Chameleon Help & Resource Info
1.0 Nosy Be Panther Chameleon - Cyrus
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
1.1 Side-blotched lizards - Ana and Stan for now
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skippy
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh, Died 4/21/06
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha, donated to science 4/4/06
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

Yes, baytril is way overprescribed. somehow, vets have the idea in
their head that's it's safer to use baytril, "just in case", than it is to NOT
use baytril. The books they're reading are a bit too old, I feel.

My vet is a reptile and exoitc ONLY vet, with 3 vets working for him,
and they STILL prescribe baytril as a "precautionary measure".

It wrecks havoc on their kidneys, and in my opinion, baytril should not
be used preventitivly. If they have a systematic, or internal(respiratory)
infection that is sensitive to baytril, then go ahead. If they have a local
infection, like a swollen foot, use a local antibiotic, NOT a general one.
Why damage the kidneys when the infection in in the extremity?
If they might have a chance at getting an infection, but they might not, I
would not use antibiotics.

I've just seen too many chameleons react badly to baytril treatment.

I agree with all regarding the use of antibiotics. I did take the dose that I paid for at the vet, but have not administered it as of yet. I guess I am worried a little about something becoming much worse and it being to late.

Plan:

Hold off on Baytril. Continue to monitor and if anything gets worse in the next seven days, reconsider.

Today his is more alert. He looked at the water drips and licked his chops....will try some crixs later and will use a little terramycin on the eye that the fibers came out of.

Thanks all.

Kris
-----
2.1 Black Labs Tucker, Raider and Lacey
1.0 Lepoard Gecko Kumar (Another lost pet RIP and party on with Harold!)
3.0 Horses Smoothie, Rocky and Bogey
1.0 Husbands (he puts up with me)
1.2 Kids-Trevor, Logan and Rylie
1.1 Ferrets Tank and Ellie (The fun fuzzies)
1.1 Veiled Chams Squiggy and Pudge (may she RIP)
0.1 Snowflake Cornsnake Lucky