Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my two sick uro's (pneumonia) just took a turn for the worse last night. She sometimes has labored breathing and now has mucus coming from her mouth and nose. I talked with Doug Dix, as my reptile vet is out of the office until tomorrow, and he said that she's probably progressed too far to save her now. He explained a technique that could help get some of the mucus out of her lungs IF the mucus was watery enough. If the mucus was too thick it's too late. The technique involved holding her in my hand with her head facing away from me. I cupped my hands around her and held her above my head in front of me. Then I swung my arms down quickly to try to expell any liquid from her lungs or nostrils. I tried several times but nothing came out. It looks like the liquid in her lungs is just too thick to come out and Doug thought she probably won't make it through the night.

I'm sitting here crying and not knowing what to do. I hate feeling so helpless. I am praying and hoping that she will pull through. I haven't lost hope yet, it's just very discouraging. I hope none of you have to go through this.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Oh, Veronica!! How awful! I'm so sorry things are looking so bleak. My thoughts are definitely with you right now! Let us know what happens. Best of luck to you and little Maya. I hope she pulls through.
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
0.0.2 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Gimpy and Sideshow)
0.0.6 Bloodfin Tetras (including the one-eyed Captain Morgan)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

I'm going to try a new drug today called Amikacin. RaderRVT recommended it and I've also read good things about it's ability to clear up gram-negative bacteria that can cause pneumonia. I'll get a culture done on her first thing in the morning when my reptile vet returns. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

I'm so sorry, It stinks ! But that technique is good, continue to do it. I used that on a puppy that was born breech, and was not breathing, took a bit of time but it worked.

Anyway, it is terrible when ya have something so sick and you have to watch, I'm not a watcher either, I try also, up to the last dang minute !!!

Don't give up yet ! Hang in there, did ya ever try the other medicine ?

Let us know, I had lost my first lizard MHD 2 weeks ago after she had a very difficult time laying 22 eggs.

It was terribly upsetting. I am goofy too, I sat up all night with that little girl in a towel and cried, knowing I had tried everything !!!

Take it easy ! Do your best and if he leaves he will be in GREAT hands, AGAIN !

Eve

I'm glad to hear that the "swinging" technique worked for you. I'll keep trying it. I'm at work now... it was really hard to leave her this morning. I came into work 3 hours late - but who cares. I just want her healthy. Ever since I've got her she's been sick. Poor little thing. Thanks for the words of advice and support.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

I didn't even say how sorry I am for you losing your little girl after she worked so hard to lay all those eggs. I'm sorry for your loss. That must've been hard on you. Yeah, I'm the same way, I cry when I lose the battle too. And with rescuing reptiles, I guess that's something I'm just going to have to get used to. It's still hard though.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

rescuing EVERYTHING, LOL and have had a BLAST doing it, and have had my heart ripped out by doing it also, at times !

But I love it, and will continue to the day I die, and I hope to GOD, he lets me be incharge of the CRITTER AREAS hehehhehhe

LMAO Thank you also, Veronica ,good luck with her.

Oh and continue to pop in RATS, on Exotics, and post some pics for us!!!

Eve

I've found some Amikacin! I'm going to try it as a last ditch effort with Maya. If she makes it through the night I'll get her to the vet first thing in the morning as he's been gone all week and Friday is his first day back! I'll get a culture done but hopefully the Amikacin will help! I'll also inject sterile fluids so she will stay hydrated. I've never injected a reptile with anything before so I'm a little nervous. Any words of advice? I'll be doing it by myself too. I hope I can hold her still enough for the injections. I was also told in inject the drug into the muscle of her front leg and to inject the fluids into the fatty area near her armpit. Does this sound right to you?

Thanks!
Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

I had a similar experience with a H2O dragon male who was a baby. Pseudomonas. One reason I like the whole no water thing with uros....No heat and moisture.....Anyway, he was down to 30 grams Me and my wife would give him injections in his tiny front arms. I watched him dwindle away. Secondary infections caused moth rot(maybe from force feeding trauma) and part of his jaw and teeth came out. He just would lay there, eyes closed. I called my vet. He said, maybe it is time to put him in the freezer and end the suffering.
I could not do it. Maybe the next day I would.
The next day to my surprise he ate a mealworm out of my hand. Shocked I gave him another.....To make a long story shorter...He eventually produced about 200 babies along with a beautiful female. He got big too-about 30". I often looked at him and though about what he went through.

So don't give up. No matter how bleak.
Ed

>>One of my two sick uro's (pneumonia) just took a turn for the worse last night. She sometimes has labored breathing and now has mucus coming from her mouth and nose. I talked with Doug Dix, as my reptile vet is out of the office until tomorrow, and he said that she's probably progressed too far to save her now. He explained a technique that could help get some of the mucus out of her lungs IF the mucus was watery enough. If the mucus was too thick it's too late. The technique involved holding her in my hand with her head facing away from me. I cupped my hands around her and held her above my head in front of me. Then I swung my arms down quickly to try to expell any liquid from her lungs or nostrils. I tried several times but nothing came out. It looks like the liquid in her lungs is just too thick to come out and Doug thought she probably won't make it through the night.
>>
>>I'm sitting here crying and not knowing what to do. I hate feeling so helpless. I am praying and hoping that she will pull through. I haven't lost hope yet, it's just very discouraging. I hope none of you have to go through this.
>>
>>Veronica
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>>Beautiful Dragons