Our visit to a reptile specialist

[CarolM]

It's 9:30 am and I just heard from the vet's office.
Jacques is really no different but they don't really expect to see a big change so soon. I just brought her them late Tuesday afternoon, so she hasn't even been in treatment 48 hrs yet.

@Markw84 The meds they have her on are Enrofloxacin (an antibiotic) and Meloxicam (an anti-inflammatory).
Meloxicam is also called Mobic- and my HUSBAND takes Mobic for his arthritis- so he and Jacques are on the same medication!!!
HAHAHAHA!!!!

At least she hasn't gotten worse.

 

[MrMarg&me]

I remember reading turtles and tortoises are slow about everything they do. So, slow to show an illness and slow to heal. Jacques is with a determined and dedicated team.

 

[wellington]

Glad I found this and didn't totally miss it. Been wondering how things were going from before you had even taken her in yet.
Sorry she is sick, but sounds like she is in great hands and doing good so far.
She sure has a great mom. Fingers crossed she makes a full recovery very soon. Of course keep us updated.
I really like that they call you daily and in the a.m. No one wants to wonder and worry all day.

 

[Markw84]

It's 9:30 am and I just heard from the vet's office.
Jacques is really no different but they don't really expect to see a big change so soon. I just brought her them late Tuesday afternoon, so she hasn't even been in treatment 48 hrs yet.

@Markw84 The meds they have her on are Enrofloxacin (an antibiotic) and Meloxicam (an anti-inflammatory).
Meloxicam is also called Mobic- and my HUSBAND takes Mobic for his arthritis- so he and Jacques are on the same medication!!!
HAHAHAHA!!!!

Thanks for checking, Mooz!

If you could next time you talk to them...

I find it interesting they are using Baytril. Since they are very experienced and well reputed for reptiles - can you find out a bit more?

Where are they injecting? How often?
What is their feeling about the findings of many reptile vets of the negative side effects particularly in chelonians like leopard tortoises, redfoots, and Chersina angulata?? I actually was going over a case of extreme paralysis following injection of Baytril with a long term captive red ear slider on another forum just this week. I would love to hear their feedback on this when so many of the chelonian experienced vets are now staying away from Baytril if possible. Perhaps they have found this not as big an issue as many make it out to be???

Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, she said in post #20 that they're using Enrofloxicin (Baytril).

 

[Moozillion]

Thanks for checking, Mooz!

If you could next time you talk to them...

I find it interesting they are using Baytril. Since they are very experienced and well reputed for reptiles - can you find out a bit more?

Where are they injecting? How often?
What is their feeling about the findings of many reptile vets of the negative side effects particularly in chelonians like leopard tortoises, redfoots, and Chersina angulata?? I actually was going over a case of extreme paralysis following injection of Baytril with a long term captive red ear slider on another forum just this week. I would love to hear their feedback on this when so many of the chelonian experienced vets are now staying away from Baytril if possible. Perhaps they have found this not as big an issue as many make it out to be???

Thanks!

Sure thing, Mark.
The people calling me with the daily updates are veterinary techs, and I'm not at all sure the techs would know the details about Baytril.
I expect I'll see Dr. Rich when I pick her up on Tuesday, so I will ask him then. I hesitate to ask BEFORE then, because I don't want him to think I'm challenging his decisions.

I can already tell you they are injecting her front shoulder areas because that's what the doctor told me they would do.
And she is getting the injections once daily for a week.

I'll keep you posted on the medical details as they evolve.

 

[Moozillion]

I remember reading turtles and tortoises are slow about everything they do. So, slow to show an illness and slow to heal. Jacques is with a determined and dedicated team.

Yes, I agree!! Thanks!!!

 

[Moozillion]

Glad I found this and didn't totally miss it. Been wondering how things were going from before you had even taken her in yet.
Sorry she is sick, but sounds like she is in great hands and doing good so far.
She sure has a great mom. Fingers crossed she makes a full recovery very soon. Of course keep us updated.
I really like that they call you daily and in the a.m. No one wants to wonder and worry all day.

Thank you, wellington!

 

[Moozillion]

I just got my morning update from the vet!
Jacques is improving! She is definitely floating more level and is not so front-heavy.
She typically poops and passes urates in her float water.
She gets tube-fed every other day and is tolerating it well.
She tolerates the injections well and has no issues at the injection sites.

Since she is improving, they are going to continue her current treatment and she should come home on the 6th!!

 

[Bambam1989]

Yay! It always good to hear positive news

 

[Moozillion]

Yay! It always good to hear positive news

Thank you Bamban 1989!
HappyDanceHappyDanceHappyDance!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MrMarg&me]

Very good to hear!!!

 

[Moozillion]

Very good to hear!!!

Thank you, MissMarg&me! [emoji2][emoji173]️

 

[kathyth]

I’m so happy to hear this! What great news!

 

[Moozillion]

I’m so happy to hear this! What great news!

Thank you, kathyth! [emoji2][emoji173]️

 

[Maro2Bear]

Jacque will soon be doing the Happy Dance for salmon treats!

 

[KrissyLeigh]

I definitely agree with the necessity of using an exotic vet!!! I recommend the VCA animal hospitals - they are just as you described with the incredibly detailed questionnaire and vets who ask detailed, knowledgeable questions - lighting, diet, substrate, etc.

I have had to take in a rat with a URI, bearded dragon with a bacterial infection, and one of my tortoises who had a coccidia overabundance (2 of the 3 came like that from the pet store, I'm not a bad owner!). For all species they fixed them, no issues since, and I was incredibly impressed with their knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment of the animals.

Best of luck with your little one, I know how stressful it can be!

PS - for my rat they put her in a nebulizer, which is a box type thing that flows medicated air over and around them and when she came back she was all wild eyed and looked like she just got a bad salon blowout, hahahaha!

 

[vladimir]

Sending good thoughts for Jacques! [emoji217][emoji217]

 

[Moozillion]

Thank you, Maro2Bear and Vladimir![emoji2][emoji173]️

 

[Moozillion]

I definitely agree with the necessity of using an exotic vet!!! I recommend the VCA animal hospitals - they are just as you described with the incredibly detailed questionnaire and vets who ask detailed, knowledgeable questions - lighting, diet, substrate, etc.

I have had to take in a rat with a URI, bearded dragon with a bacterial infection, and one of my tortoises who had a coccidia overabundance (2 of the 3 came like that from the pet store, I'm not a bad owner!). For all species they fixed them, no issues since, and I was incredibly impressed with their knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment of the animals.

Best of luck with your little one, I know how stressful it can be!

PS - for my rat they put her in a nebulizer, which is a box type thing that flows medicated air over and around them and when she came back she was all wild eyed and looked like she just got a bad salon blowout, hahahaha!

Thank you, KrissyLeigh!
Boy, those vets sounds GREAT!!![emoji2][emoji106][emoji173]️