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Panther with possible URI open mouth breathing open mouth 4 months old

batlizard Nov 26, 2003 04:39 PM

My 4 month old baby pather has a swollen eye and opens his mouth and a girggling sound breathing. SOunds like a Upper resperatory and I think the vet is closed tomorrow I have some oral enrofloxacin I used on an animal with a infected wound? Can I use that????
Any help would be appriciated

Replies (4)

lele Nov 26, 2003 05:06 PM

I can't help you with the medication aspect, but from your description it sounds like an URI. Your vet probably is closed tomorrow but they must have an answering service for emergencies. I don't know where in the country you are but some vets here in the Northeast are open until late in the evening. I would call your vet ASAP!!

here is an article on Baytril/Enrofloxacin:
www.chameleonnews.com/year2003/jan2003/baytril/baytril.html
Here is a link to vets throughout the country, maybe you can find one via phone (in your area) and see if you can get meds.

www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html#us

hope this helps and I am sure (hope) others with more experience will post - and are not all on the road!

lele

-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Carlton Nov 26, 2003 05:13 PM

Baytril is often used to fight URI. Ideally the vet should do a sensitivity culture on the bacteria to make sure it is the right one. But, if you can't wait for this once you start giving it the culture may not be very helpful. The problem for you will be to dose it correctly by his weight. Baytril can be very hard on kidneys, and he's fairly small, so unless you know the dosage this is risky. Too little can be as bad as too much. First, you might call the vet's after hours service, tell them what the problem is and that you have the drug available (check expiration date), and ask the vet to check the dose for you. I would not just guess! Just in case, I also suggest checking on 2 other sites that might have info on dosages. Check under vet topics on www.adcham.com and www.chameleonjournals.com.

batlizard Nov 26, 2003 06:06 PM

Went and got in the vets before closing 116.00 later 1)shot and some oral baytril doses I will turn up the heat...should I still mist him other than to drink?

chimbakka Nov 26, 2003 10:07 PM

YES!! Keep the humidity up in the top of his range. I'd try and mist a little more often, like 5 times per day. My panther had an URI when she was 3 or 4 months. I ended up having to hand feed her for a while. I'm not trying to discourage you though!! If you have any ?s you can email me... I don't know much, but I know some about this!!
Raise the basking temp up. What is it at right now? Try and have it up around 90-95. I know.. it sounds high, but it will help keep the infection from getting worse, and speed up healing. Just keep an eye on him. If he turn white while basking then it's too hot. I think I had my panther's around 92*.
Also, make sure he is drinking lots. Baytril can take a toll on the organs. Watch his poo also to make sure he's drinking enough.
Finally, watch his food intake. (I can't remeber if you said anything about him eating or not, I've been rambling on). If he stops eating for more than two days keep an eye on his weight. While he's on the meds he may not want to eat as much. Since he is so young/small he probably can't afford to lose much weight. If this happens you can mix some baby food (tukey, sweet potatoe.. you may want to buy a few, I found mine liked certain ones more than others), liquid calcium (you can get it at drug stores), and some pedialite (no flavour). Then drop in a few crix and smush them with a spoon (preferably plastic lol) until their guts are mixed in. Yes it's gross.. BUT it's better than throwing them in the blender!!! Mist your cham till he starts to drink, then use an eye dropper to drop the mix into his mouth. you may have to spray at the same time so he keeps his eyes closed, if the dropper scares him. If you can do it this way it's much easier than force feeding.
Finally, if you need anything else feel free to email me!!
chimakka@hotmail.com
~Lindsay
Ps, i know this was long, but more info is better than too little!! good luck!

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