Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In a phrase, not good. I dont have any pictures yet, but she is constantly a dark brown color, doesn't eat on her own, has lost 10 grams in a week, constantly falls out of her tree, and the lower half of her tail is dead and is starting to slowly decay. I am tube feeding her, giving her several medications, washing her tail in a surgical soap, and taking her to the vet very often. I feel so badly. She looks terrible. I hate to admit it, but it looks like shes about ready to check out. I still wonder if i did the right thing with the whole surgery, but I'm trying to stay postive and hopefully she'll pull through.

I really feel bad for you. In situations like that, it's difficult to tell if you've done the right thing, or just prolonging her agony. I hope everything turns out good for you.
Cricket

Josh, I am so sorry to hear this You have put such time, money and effort into her recovery - and a lot of heart.

What does the vet say? If the tail is actually dying couldn't it be causing internal infection? Has he suggested amputating it?

When you say tube feeding do you mean by hand with a dropper or syringe? Or actually putting a tube down her throat? Have you tried the repta-aid? I truly wish I could say or do somethiing to make her all better...

lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers (for summer - all girls, no little ones, whew!)

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, by tube feeding I mean dropper and seringe. The vet's best guess at the tail thing is that the surgical procedure messed up the blood flow. I suspect nerve damage, but it was nice to hear him actually admit that he may have caused this during the procedure, for whatever that's worth. I've been thinking about the amputation thing, as well, but for whatever reason I never seem to mention it to the vet. Isnt that his job anyway? haha. Honestly, though, I'm not sure I can afford another operation. Unfortunately, money is now officially a problem with this attemp at recovery. Just wanted to say again how helpful and supporting everyone has been through this. I truly appreciate it. And, if she makes it, Lola will owe a part of recovery to you all. Thanks again.

Btw, how's Luna? Any updates since that " Is Luna too Skinny" post?

Sweet of you to ask with what you have going on

She's fine - I guess. Not eating much at all but holding at 92-94g. Hopefully, it is just daylight change or something and she knows its winter and that this is not sign of another clutch ;/

lele & Luna (with good thoughts for Lola)
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers (for summer - all girls, no little ones, whew!)

I really hope she pulls through! poor little girl... I know how hard this is on you. Feel better knowing that you did everythign you could... There are people who wouldn't do half of what you've done for any one or any animal.
I would suggest to the vet that he amputate it for free since he is the one who screwed it up... you would have to find a better way to word it but it's worth a shot... It's too bad. Good vets are very hard to come by, and good vets with herp experience even harder. Are you in Can or US? I can't remember...
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~Lindsay
0.1 panther chameleon (Orion)
1.2 r. brevicaudatus chams (unnamed)
0.1 leopard gecko (Acadia)
1.0 pictus gecko (Raine)
1.1 parakeets (Bongo/Citron)
1.1 cats (Tigger/Bonzai)
1.0 dwarf hampster (Chico the monster)
someday will have 1.1 great danes (will be Osiris and Solaris)

Josh, I have to agree here. Especially since he admitted it - and YES(!) he should be the one suggesting that! Like any other business - PR is PR. When my cat Justica was in endstage kidney failure a few years ago she had to receive subcutaneous saline for hydration 2 to 3 times a week and they knew that it would soon be once or twice a day. They felt bad at how much $$ I was spending and the stress to Tica so they sold me the bags (and gave me needles - don't tell anyone ) and the vet tech, who lives right around the corner from me, came over to do it and then showed me how (I am needle phobic so it was very difficult for me) so that when the daily was required it was not as financially devastating (just emotionally).

Granted they had been my vet for a few years and had gone thru the passing of Svette Lana just two years before with me, but the point still is - if your customer is taking care of his/her animals it doesn't hurt for you (vet) to take care of your customers. I cannot even imagine how much you have spent in addition to what you paid for the initial surgery.

One more thought on the tail thing is that if their is infection setting in (and frankly I cannot imagine that there isn't in an already weakened animal) it is probably what is impeding her health. it would be awful to have her die from something possibly avoidable (infection) due to a $$ hungry vet.

I'm sorry, I hope I am not depressing you, it just makes me mad - tell your vet to call me - I'll get him to do something!!!

lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers (for summer - all girls, no little ones, whew!)

Haha. I get you his # ASAP! haha. In all fairness, though, I dont really think he's "money hungrey", I just think that I went to someone who, frankly, doesnt know a whole lot about chams. So, I guess, ultimately, the flaws in the vet's prognosis in lola's condition are my fault for not getting her to a certified herp specialist. I'll tell ya, though, he'd better not say, "I don't know" one more time! It's like " JUST MAKE SOMETHING UP"! Humor me!