Reptile & Amphibian Forums

... almost two weeks ago I posted about my lizards eyes being crusted shut. I took him to a vet on the holiday however I had to see one I was not familiar with. His cough has increased to almost a compulsive gasp besides having a week of antibiotics. The vet without xray or cultures proscribed Trimethaprim, which I was uneasy about since the sulfamides are more bateriastatic than bacterialcidal and work better for gram negative bacteria which I understand most respitory infections tend to predominate as gram negative. I've made an appointment for my normal vet for Thursday evening who is knowledgable about reptiles. I have been gving it Pedialyte some occasional calcium gluboontae along with it medication to keep him hydrated and its electrolytes balanced. However I haven't been able to feed it. I tried giving him some of Zilla's Caloric supplement paste twice but it regurgitated it back up alomost immediately. He has lost 3 grams weight so far can anyone suggest some type of interim diet to keep its strength up?

You need to get some beneficial bacteria back into his gi tract. When I get in rescues that have to be on antibiotics, I get soy yogurt and give a little every day that they are on antibiotics. I even give it to my healthy lizards occasionally. You can buy it at super Walmart or some Super Target stores. Its called Stoneyfield Farms O'Soy.

Then I also use a product called reptiAid. Its similar to the paste, but more protein based. It is a stress/recovery formula, but be sure to get the one that is specifically for insectivores. I have never seen a lizard that wouldn't lap it or the soy yopgurt. I would give him soy yogurt or some other probiotic for a few feedings, then try the reptiaid.

I do wonder why the vet didn't go with Batril. Did the vet explain why he preferred this drug over Batril?

You, know, I think I would also increase your temps a little and make sure they don't drop too much overnight. When I have a sick lizard, I try to maintain overnight temps around 80-85. I turn off the basking light, and add either a lowish wattage (40-50 watts) heat emitter or a heating pad around the sides of the tank, but not under.

Please keep us posted on the poor little Darlin'.

If your collared is GASPING he is in distress and they should give you an appointment before Thurs. I do not like being negative but these resp infections take hold fast and the lizard usually goes down hill quick.

They usually do perscribe baytril, but much time has been wasted by your first Vet in my opinion, I would tell the vet how bad he is and that you need an appointment before Thurs.

I don't know about you but I would find it difficult if I were gasping for air and someone was raming food down my throat. So your going to have to do it in tiny amounts very slowly/carfully as to not asperate/choke him. I personally would use some sort of electrolyte liquid to keep his strength up ( I think you said you were) I think yogurt may tend to make more mucus, but hey I'm not a Vet.

First thing he must get some relief and be able to breath better , I would try and get him to the Vet asap. Sorry he is so sick. I hope he will be okay.
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PHEve / Eve

I have a bottle of Acidophilz in the refrigerator as probiotic. I didn't think of using yogurt as a feeding supplement, will give it a try. The tems are being raised at night with a lower watage blue light and the room is using a dehumidfier to bring the humidty down to 40%. I don't know why the firts didn't describe Baytril other than what I've just recently heard from normal vet that Baytril needs to given as an injection since its adsorption orally is very poor! I will be seing her Thursday because as you said Eve I probably already wasted my time with the first vet, so I'm sticking with one with a proven track record for reptiles!

Did you see your regular vet today?