ADV+ dragon and parasites

[hankat]

Hi all,
I’ve been aggressively trying to rehab my adv+ sick beardie for about 6 months. Have been battling ongoing parasites with our girl sunset for awhile. We’ve done numerous courses of pyrantel with no change. I got an email from the vet this morning saying “she may never recover” and I’m a little shocked and confused by this. Thinking about getting a second opinion. Does anyone have any experience with this? sunset is blind from cataracts but does not have neurological signs. She has chronic diarrhea but she cannot eat on her own because of her blindness she eats beardie buffet by repashy and critical care herbivore. I’m just kind of shocked the vet seems to be giving up when Sunset is so much better than she was. I’m an RVT primarily for dogs and cats. I am not willing to give up on this poor creature she is so sweet and we’ve come so far. There are practically no resources for parents of adv+ dragons but I may get a second opinion… scheduled a recheck for a couple weeks from now we’ll see what happens….

 

[hankat]

@Drache613

 

[Sadie]

Hi all,
I’ve been aggressively trying to rehab my adv+ sick beardie for about 6 months. Have been battling ongoing parasites with our girl sunset for awhile. We’ve done numerous courses of pyrantel with no change. I got an email from the vet this morning saying “she may never recover” and I’m a little shocked and confused by this. Thinking about getting a second opinion. Does anyone have any experience with this? sunset is blind from cataracts but does not have neurological signs. She has chronic diarrhea but she cannot eat on her own because of her blindness she eats beardie buffet by repashy and critical care herbivore. I’m just kind of shocked the vet seems to be giving up when Sunset is so much better than she was. I’m an RVT primarily for dogs and cats. I am not willing to give up on this poor creature she is so sweet and we’ve come so far. There are practically no resources for parents of adv+ dragons but I may get a second opinion… scheduled a recheck for a couple weeks from now we’ll see what happens….

I am sorry to hear about your struggles - how old is the dragon? What kind of uvb are you using these questions are always asked so bare w/ me - surface basking temps are being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-? I am sending your post to Tracie our vet tech on the forum she is better equipped to answer your questions and can better help you she's in late at night
@Drache613

 

[hankat]

I am sorry to hear about your struggles - how old is the dragon? What kind of uvb are you using these questions are always asked so bare w/ me - surface basking temps are being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-? I am sending your post to Tracie our vet tech on the forum she is better equipped to answer your questions and can better help you she's in late at night
@Drache613

I talked to Tracie before about my set up and my dragons- this is a follow up and I tagged her as well.

 

[Yvonne G]

When I had a blind tortoise I would pile the food up against the wall of the tank so it couldn't be pushed away from her as she bit at it.

I'm with you, never give up!

 

[hankat]

When I had a blind tortoise I would pile the food up against the wall of the tank so it couldn't be pushed away from her as she bit at it.

I'm with you, never give up!

The vet mentioned trying that but she just spreads it around the cage. When I syringe feed her she seems to know she’s being fed and will lick it up. She no longer is taking hornworms (vet said they were okay since she can’t find other bugs) but takes her syringe feedings willingly. She’s so much better than she was… just looking for some support I feel like I have no one to go to. Scheduled a recheck with the vet hoping that she’ll see how much better she is compared to how she was and perhaps won’t feel Iike there are no more options.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your girl doing? Do you think that there are any vets
who would consider removing the cataracts at all?
I think she definitely deserves a chance, especially if she is
healthy otherwise. I believe she will adjust if she doesn't get
her sight back.
You haven't been able to clear up her parasites at all? If she
has adeno, you can try using some colloidal silver to help to
clear out the adeno perhaps. Is she maintaining her weight
currently?

Tracie

 

[hankat]

Hello,

How is your girl doing? Do you think that there are any vets
who would consider removing the cataracts at all?
I think she definitely deserves a chance, especially if she is
healthy otherwise. I believe she will adjust if she doesn't get
her sight back.
You haven't been able to clear up her parasites at all? If she
has adeno, you can try using some colloidal silver to help to
clear out the adeno perhaps. Is she maintaining her weight
currently?

Tracie

Hi Tracie thanks for getting back to me. Since we last talked—
-Sunset gained over 100g, seems to be maintaining pretty well
-We have done at least 2 more rounds of dewormer and the fecal results have not changed at all despite treatment- 4+ pinworms, 4+ entameba and chronic diarrhea
-was eating some bugs on her own if put directly by her mouth- that stopped around a month ago. If I leave food out for foraging she doesn’t eat it she just acts like it’s part of her cage and she pushes it around. She’s constantly “redecorating” her cage by pushing stuff around.
- I syringe feed repashy beardie buffet and critical care herbivore 1-2x a day and she usually takes it very well and appears hungry. I add lugarti probiotics per the vets instructions.
-daily baths or every other day- just had very difficult shed that seemed painful- finally got most of it off

The vet just seemed optimistic at first and now when I was like “I’m not sure if we’re doing something wrong” she emailed me saying she may not recover… I just feel like we haven’t done enough medication to just give up. Maybe she’s just trying to manage my expectations or maybe she thinks I’m blaming her? I found a vet board certified ophthalmologist who mentioned she might be able to remove the cataracts but my concern is obviously there’s some anesthesia involved and I don’t know if he poor immune system allows for that kind of stress. I have to talk to that vet more. I also noted that sunsets eyes have been watering. I’d love to give her her sight back but the vet said the parasites caused the cataracts and if we can’t get rid of the parasites and we do cataract surgery does that mean they can come back? Have you ever heard of anyone doing cataract surgery on a beardie?

I also was trying to ask the vet if maybe I need to be disinfecting the cage more and they were like “I don’t think that’s the problem” but I’m sure it couldn’t hurt? I just bought a steam cleaner to try to disinfect it more thoroughly.

I made another appt with the vet because she hasn’t seen sunset in a little while so maybe if she sees how much better she is she will have more ideas. I just know there are a lot of drugs out there for parasites and diarrhea and I feel like we haven’t given it enough of a go. And if she’s giving up then we’ll get a second opinion but we’ve just been emailing so maybe I’m reading what she’s saying in the wrong light?

Thank you for your help and encouragement. No pet is a “disposable” pet… everyone deserves love and a chance no matter how small. We made a commitment to her and that commitment is for life @Drache613

 

[hankat]

Hello,

How is your girl doing? Do you think that there are any vets
who would consider removing the cataracts at all?
I think she definitely deserves a chance, especially if she is
healthy otherwise. I believe she will adjust if she doesn't get
her sight back.
You haven't been able to clear up her parasites at all? If she
has adeno, you can try using some colloidal silver to help to
clear out the adeno perhaps. Is she maintaining her weight
currently?

Tracie

Yesterday she looked like she took a turn for the worse. She was really lethargic, laying in weird places and she vomited. It really scared us and I left a message for the vet who never called me back. Seems better today but am holding off on feeding. About a week ago I tried to increase her syringe feedings by 2ml and am hoping that was just the reason but something tells me it’s not that. Vet appt 8/17 hoping someone will call me back before then. I just want to know how bad of a sign vomiting is…. Worried she’s suffering and we should put her down… @Drache613

 

[hankat]

UPDATE!! Finally got in with our vet. They think we were over feeding her at one time and that what cause the vomiting- which only happened once. Vet thought she looked great. She recommended a topical medicine called N- Acetylcistine for the retained shedding. She’s been having an eye issue— watering and discharge- which vet said is due to retained shed and prescribed an eye med called Terramycin to use as needed. However she had NO ideas for the persistent parasites and chronic diarrhea. She said we’ve tried all the meds that can help- metronidazole, pyrantel, ponazeril and nothing is helping at all. Does anyone here have any ideas? Or an alternative deworming protocol? I’ll try anything safe at this point.

The Dr also prescribed tramadol as she thinks some of her behaviors might be gastrointestinal discomfort but we haven’t felt she’s needed it since we went.

Any ideas welcome!!
@Drache613

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is she doing today?
I am glad you haven't been giving the Tramadol to him yet. It is opium based & really shouldn't be
given long term.
The terramycin should help her eye out especially if it's just due to shed.
You can try using some parsley, cliantro, basil, oregano & mint all mixed up together for a natural
deworming.
How is her weight, is she maintaining her weight? Are you still giving the critical herbivore care?
I agree, no pet is disposable & she deserves a chance even if she can't see very well.
Have you been giving a probiotic also?

Letus know how she is doing.

Tracie