Reptile & Amphibian Forums

done on her. Fecal scope, float, blood work, and fecal culture.

Fecals looked clean (no coccidia, which is the thing I was most worried about) calcium and phosphorous perfect, bones solid, weight good (370g @16.5 inches). But she has a bacterial infection (don't remember what it was...I'm waiting for a call) that will require me to give her an injection, daily, for two weeks. I am NOT looking forward to this.

Has anyone experienced this kind of thing, and how did you fair after it was all over? Do they go from from a mellow, passive, and loves-to-be-handled sweet-pie to a beard-flaring jaw-gaping knuckle slashing psycho? I want her to be well, but I don't want an intolerable human-hater as a pet.

This is gonna hurt me more than it hurts her, I just know it.

i dont really have too much info for ya on this one, but i do know i have had to give daily injections to other animals and they do come around after awhile, i have had horses that would actually come after me they hated me so much after having to give twice daily shots for a week, but they do come around, just try and make it pleasant for him, be gentle and patient, im sure your little guy will be alright. let us know how you make out...
-----
reiko
photos

a cat before so I kind of know the drill, but having to hold down a little critter like a beardie and shoot it in that tiny bicep (or tricep) is a little unnerving.

I'm thinking maybe a towel with a hole in it for the arm to come through might be safest for all involved...what do you think? Sort of reminds me of wing clipping and toenail trimming day.

wrapping him gently in a towel with the injection site exposed is a good way to do things and its actually reccomended in most cases, it may make it easier on you and him. is it a Subcutaneous or Intramuscular injection? sounds like by what you describe its intramuscular, it shouldnt be too tough, bet he just sits nice and still through it.

ah yes, wing clipping, my u2 hates it and screams bloody murder, we dont even towel him anymore just grab him by the legs and neck and do it nice and quick, it surprisingly is the easiest most stress free way for him, the toweling really heats him up and upsets him and he will not sit still enough for us to do it without restraining making it much too dangerous for him, so its for his own good.

>>a cat before so I kind of know the drill, but having to hold down a little critter like a beardie and shoot it in that tiny bicep (or tricep) is a little unnerving.
>>
>>I'm thinking maybe a towel with a hole in it for the arm to come through might be safest for all involved...what do you think? Sort of reminds me of wing clipping and toenail trimming day.
-----
reiko
photos

I had to give Smaug shots every three days and it was actually pretty easy once I got the hang of it. Didn't seem to hurt her either, just make sure to use a fresh needle every time and they hardly seem to notice. I think the indignity of being held down was the hardest part on her honestly.
She never did get over the infection she had, unfortunately and eventually had to be euthanized before she lost all her limbs. Painful memories.

QB

...

This worked wonderfully for my sick Orange girl. I was able to give the shots without tying her up in a towel and without an "assistant" to help hold her down.
Put her in a nice warm soak, immediately before the shot. Pick her up right from the water and put her on a well lit table and do the shot right then. When you are done, put her back in the warm water.
I'm certain the soak before the shot softens the skin & relaxes the muscle by increasing it's circulation, making the injection much easier.
The soak after the shot will keep the muscle from tightening up & make the discomfort less. You won't seem like such a bad guy to her then
I had no trouble with the injection sites turning dark or the skin sloughing.
Good luck!!!
Sharla