Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My uro was injected with Ivomec last night for the treatment of pinworms. I am not sure how much the vet injected him with as she took him in the back without me. I need advice as to how lizards act after being treated for worms because I have never had any lizard injected before and I am scared.

This morning I wake up to him with his eyes closed and not moving, he could barely open them. I just thought he was cold. Well I just came home from work and find him in the same spot just a little bit moved over legs out backward, eyes still shut, and I can even put my hand on him without him running, moving, or opening his eyes.

I just did some info on ivomec and 4 web pages I found said that ivomec should NOT be used on reptiles and that is it highly toxic.

What is going on??? As my vet yesterday stated that I should see an improvement in his behavior and his eating habits after the shot. Well NOT today.

Is he acting this way because the worms are dying inside of him, or all of these web pages accurate that I am reading about ivomec. Before I call the vet up and start yelling like a maniac.

Can any of you give me advice, or maybe he is just stressed from the shot?

Thank you!!!!

If you haven't, call the vet and explain the current situation. I hope this isn't the case but it sounds like he is dying.

I have read that Ivermectin is not be used to treat turtles and tortoises, but is safe to treat lizards. Some side effects which are said to be common in lizards especially are lethargy and a loss of appetite, which can take a few days to weeks to fully reside. When in doubt, it is always best to consult the veterinarian who administered the drug. Just my thoughts,

-Nathanel

Ok well I took him to another vet as this morning I called the other vet and she said straight out "who knows whats going on, I will have to do research" WOW after that comment I def did not feel comfortable anymore

I found a vet that has a big sign saying NO DOGS OR CATS AlLOWED.

Basically comes down to it, my uro was over dosed with ivomec. I now have to inject him with fluids, and suringe feed him ensure as he is anerexic, as well as give him some other kind of medicine in hopes that he will pass what she found to be something in his stomach. If not then we will have to x-rays.

All in all she said that he should be up and back to normal within the next couple of days.

First of all, I don't want this post to in any way suggest opposing veterinary advice. It's always the first avenue when dealing with a sickly animal. But, be aware that sometimes it gets you nowhere at great expense.
We had a pair of Womas with respiratory infections that were not responding to higher temps & humidity. Off we go to the local "exotic" vet. Initial treatment was IM Baytril every 3 days for 2 weeks. Conditions worsened. Cultures were taken ($130.00) & came back "inconclusive." Next 2 weeks, Amykacin every 3 days, hard on the kidneys. Conditions worsened. OK, now let's try Fortaz/Baytril (I've long since lost count of my vet bill) for two more weeks. No improvement. No antibiotic regimen was working & so we opted out. The snakes were still quite sick & so were we at our veterinary bills. We kept up the temps/humidity & they eventually came around, feeding, drinking, shedding. Their future looks good. My ONLY point is that veterinary advice can sometimes be, at best, educated guesswork. Be prepared to spend a minor fortune on a critter you paid probably less for & then hope you're getting good advice. Beware of those who flaunt themselves as "exotic vets."

I sure hope he recovers!

yeah f**kin' lovely insn't it when they advertised to treat reptiles and they don' t know whats going on. I lost my first male beardie to an "exotics" vet who used to tell me she had to do 'research" to figure things out... not good! I should've left then! I eventually lost my boy to an infection b/c the woman refused to give him antibiotics!! and when I got to a new vet it was too late she said the other vet screwed up.. and I was right all along.

Be careful with the exotic vets. Unless they are a licensed "herpitologist" and I'm in NEw eng. and there is only ONE that I know of.. Dr. Henry Weitsma who is excellent, if they are just an "avian and exotics vet" be VERY careful they don't always know what to do!!

kris
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4.2 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn,Charlotte)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
(Papa Kunja and Uri have recently passed..we love you)

Thank you for your advice!

herpetologist..... IF you study reptiles you are a herpetologist plain and simple. Veterinarians do research on cases EVERY DAY, that is why they have offices full of books. Human doctors Do the same thing. THere is NO shame in looking something up in a book for clarification!

YES good reptile vets are few and far in between, and YES some vets make things worse, but the GOOD ones learn from it and become better. The good ones go home later and look it up in a book to find out what they could have done better, the good ones ask questions and get answers. YES that means your critter is still dead or sick, but PLEASE do not assume vets are idiots because they made a mistake!!!! Reptile medicine is still very new and very untried and there are people out there really struggling with it every day. As more and more people get reptiles as pets and seek medical advice for them more and more veterinarians will seek and gain the proper knowledge about them. DO NOT GIVE UP ON THEM.

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com

Um , ok I apologize for using the word"herpotologist" however I have been to over 5 Vets for "exotic" care in the NY and MA area in the past 2 years and only ONE of them knew how to treat my lizards. That one being Dr. Weitsma. That was the only point i was trying to make- that most exotic vets have no idea what they are doing.. at least in NEW England.. I'm sure you're in a different part of the country. and i HAVENT lost hope in the exotic vets.. I just got a new one who is okay, but he didn't diagnose my last lizard problem correctly, so i'm not impressed that's all. I had to print out an article and explain what was going on TO him and he was like "ohhh... yeah that makes sense" and agreed with me that I figured out the problem. Just disappointing paying $70 for a visit and they can't answer the question. Obviously you aren't experiencing the same vet problems with herps b/c you either have an excellent one, you aren't in NE or you don't take your animals to the vet often. I had what I thought was a great vet years ago until she killed my first beardie my refusing to give him antibiotics for a full blown infection. He was emaciated and she wouldn't give him fluids. well, it sucks, but i'm glad you have not experienced horrible vets as many people have.

-Kristen
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4.2 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn,Charlotte)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
(Papa Kunja and Uri have recently passed..we love you)

Thank you for your advice!

one more thing... I see that on your site you don't have a uro ..so why are u on here anyways?...

I breed beardies too so i'm not an idiot thanks. and i see you are a vet tech. I was going to be a veterinarian but I changed my mind and am a Teacher and Coach. I DO respect vets by the way, it's just hard to find a good herp one.

kris
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4.2 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn,Charlotte)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
(Papa Kunja and Uri have recently passed..we love you)

Thank you for your advice!