Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Heweys at the vet now. They are going to tube feed him, so he can produce some excrment for further testing. His mobility has decreased drastically in a weeks span however he still shows alertness and tongue flicking. The vet suggested a dose of Ivermectin "just in case he has some nematodes" even though his first fecal came up clean for parasites. I told him no, that I dont think thats a good idea right now. The poor guy is already on 2 anitibiotics as is!
Imentioned to him cases of Savannah monitors dying from a virus much like Menengitis. I intend on digging up whatever info I can on viral infections, and cases where they have been cured to give to him.

If anyone has case studies fell free to e-mail me or post links here.

Thank you all,
Michelle

HI Michelle,
Is your albigularis hsowing any neurological disorders? Tremors? weak legs? unable to retract tongue once it has emerged? weak/rubber jaw? There is a post on Varanus.nl by Jody who has posted on the meningitus malady seen in Varanus - you probably saw that. I've had vets tell when when all else is negative, its probably a virus - not that is much help....write down the symptoms and ask an MD, and other DVM's for further advice....
it can't hurt, and might even help....offer your lizard a milk, egg, chicken broth and see if that helps any....

Good Luck!
mbayless

His eyes are clear/ lively, and he hasnt demonstrated any inability of properly using his tongue. He is very coherent, and shows interset in his surroundings, but just doesnt have the ability for physical exhertion. His front end seems to be less functional than his rear. He uses his abdominal muscles and his hind legs primarilly when he wishes to move(which is rare). He can bend all limbs at the joints and has full range of motion, but again, just doesnt have the strength to move them readily. The xrays showed no bone trauma, and overall good density. Calcium/ phosphorus levels good, and nothing extaordinary in the blood work except for the elevated white cell count. Yesterday morning he showed head tremors, but no preference for the right or left side. Just up and down jerking. Thats when I called the vet to schedule the follow up appointment.
I have attempted to contact other exotic specialists in the area, but no one will even talk to me without first being a client. I cant get past the damned receptionists over the phone to even speak to the vet. I do have one person in mind though that I can probably speak with tonight when she gets in the clinic. I interned under her over the summer, so hopefully she can have some ideas and be willing to chat. I just dont think her Varanid knowledge ive very extensive. Iguanas, sure, but monitors...

I have a necropsy report from an animal that had similar symptoms to yours. E mail me a fax number and I can send it to you tomorrow.
Good Luck

Thak you, Ill be e-mailing you shortly.
Best regards,
Michelle

n/p

Hey Michelle, wouldn't Panacur be much safer than Ivermectin for the treatment of nematodes. Being in the fragile state he's in Panacur might be a safer choice.

He really hasnt much idea of how to go about treating my BT(he hasnt a clue whats wrong). Sort of a shot in the dark. However I belive that parasites arent the issue. At least ones that would respond to these treaments.
Panacur(Fendbendazole) has a slightly larger window for safe dosage, however even with Ivermectin it would take a significant dosage to prove unhealthy. -At least with an already healthy individual.

Whers my fairy-godmother, damn it!?

It still sounds alot to me like what I was telling you about. I probly shouldn't call it menengitis as that is not what it is it just has the symptoms like it and attacks in the same manor. This is not a very fast killer it takes awhile. The bigger and stronger the animal the longer it takes. Just cause you have not seen it's eyes look dazed and confused, or it's tongue flick slowly yet does not mean this should be ruled out.

Just like getting the flu one person may get these symptoms and another may have different ones but it indeed is the same flu.
Show your vet the detailed article I posted the site for and let him read it. If he has questions let me know and I will put him in touch with my vet that has worked on this. The only bad thing with this right type of bacteria it cannot be found in the blood tests, or in the stomach etc. The only way is taking cerebral fluid and to my knowledge that is only done on dead specimens not live ones.

I really wish you the best of luck with your BT. Take in all the advice that your getting from everyone and have your vet go over it all.

The vet orderd me to stop the Flagyl, as that can produce neurological symptoms. He was tube fed 70 cc of Hill's Prescription Diet a/d, and I am instructed to continue force feeding. The vet is looking forward to a fecal to run the crypto, and maybe I will also opt for untrasound screening if nothing else surfaces soon.
I gave him a copy of the case you e-mailed, along with all the other info that Ive been e-mailed be people with similar cases. He said that he also did some internet and record searching this afternoon as well.

Thank you for you support and kind words. I really hope we crack this soon.

Best regards,
Michelle

It is probly best he is in the cage setup you have as your able to prvide better hosuiong then most vets. As for stopping the flagyl I agree it is probly doing way more harm then good anyways. Hopefully you'll get a red flag soon as to where it is atleast located if not what it is effecting him/her.

I know of a few more sites with info. on things like this. But thats the most in depth one so I am sure it will help him out.
The bad thing about this is the symptoms are seen with other illness's as well. It makes it hard to pin point what is wrong.

One other thing you can talk to your vet about and see if he wants to is starting your bt on a vitamin e supplement. I used wheat germ oil it works well for supplying your little ones with vitamin e.

Keep us all updated on the progress.