HELP!!! Mouth Rot?

[gregandsarah]

I'm pretty upset, my 3-4 year old oliver has come home from the vet and we have problems. Vet said she has some sores in her mouth and swallows when she breathes. She also might have pneumonia.

Her temps are good in her tank, it's always clean in there. Could it be that her food has been dirty. We've been feeding her predominantly super worms during the last month and a half. The worms are in oatmeal, and rabbit food. Should I have been washing the worms before giving them to her. I was also feeding her lobster roaches. The vet said that this happens for very little reason sometimes.

She is now on antibiotics and I would be really heartbroken if something worse happened to her.

Anyone have similar experiences? if so can you share or give advise? Antibiotics that work particularly well?

See 'slowed down beardie' post for more details.

[ReptiliansDOTca]

When you say the temperatures are correct, what exactly are they at? Could you give me some information in regards to his enclosure and setup? Keep the temperatures nice and high while he is on antibiotics.

Another thing that came to mind, what time of the day are you feeding her? She should have several hours to bask before the lights go off after feeding.

[gregandsarah]

Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to think that there wasn't any people with medical advise on this forum.

Enclosure is 4 foot by a little more than 1 by 20 inches I believe.

Coolest side (left) was getting down to mid 70% hot side (right) was at 90 degrees. (I have since put a infrared light on cool side and it's now at 83 degrees).

In the middle I have piled slate rock (cleaned and sterile). THis makes a cave and a basking spot that's set at 98-106 (range).

I have her in playsand.

She get's at least 2 hours on her basking spot before bed.

At night she might (in the past) had temps as low as 67-68. However I heard that 65 was fine at night.

There is also a chance that pneumonia is part of the diagnosis. Any experience with that.

This morning I fed her (after a very low apetite for a couple days and she ate a super and 7 gutloaded crix. Cross your fingers for me.

[drewlowe]

I don't have alot of first hands experince with mouth rot but during this time i would think that a good thourough cleaning of the cage, and to keep it as simple as possible (so it's easy to clean). While the sores are healing i would use papertowel as substrate to help keep infection down to the minimum.

As far as the Pheumonia goes i would keep the temp. of the cage slightly warmer not letting it drop below the low 70's during the day and at night i wouldn't let it drop below the low 70's either.

What are the antibotics that your vet has prescribed, the dose amount and the weight of your girl???

Jamie

Sorry took awhile b-day weekend and all.

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Prescribed Baytril? LoL

Is she in an area with a lot of wind or breeze coming into the house? Another thing that may come to mind is filthy feeder insects.

Often times, however, stomatitis is the result of an injury to the oral cavity, which worsens as bacteria invades the wound. Did your vet clean the infected area by any chance?

As for the lack of appetite, this is what is expected with mouth rot, so I wouldn't worry too much so long as she is getting some food in her now. In order for this problem to clear up, your dragon must be kept as clean as possible. Therefore, I would recommend setting up a temporary home, in which she is placed on paper towel without her rocks and the like. I know this may not be the most aesthetic method of keeping your dragon, but in the end it is for the best as it permits a sterile environment.

Best of luck!

[gregandsarah]

Yep that's the one. She goes back to the vet tomorow. I had just changed her playsand and sterilized everything last week before she went to the vet. I think I will remove evything though and put her on paper towel for a little while.

How do you regulate an under the tank heater withought a substrate.

My tank is usually very clean.Feces doesn't remain in their 5 minutes after I or my girlfriend see's it.

Dirty superworms are a possibility. I have sterilized their enclosure and will be rinsing them from now on.

It seems the baytril might be working...I certainly hope so.....obviously by your comment I am thinking that baytril is not a perscription item.

Thanks for the advise (both of you) I will come back with an update tomorow.

[drewlowe]

I figured it was Baytril just wanted to double check, Baytril is widely used as an antibotic (yes it has to be prescribed, there are a few i could get my hands on without a vet though) do you know the dosage given and the weight of the beardie?

Are you using a uth for the beardie??? How is your lighting setup, do you use basking bulbs and a UVB bulb???

Jamie

[gregandsarah]

1ml once a day. She is 512 grams (due to reduced eating I'm expecting she will be less tomorow).

Coolest side (left) was getting down to mid 70degrees, hot side (right) is at 90 degrees. (I have since put a infrared light on cool side and it's now at 83 degrees).

In the middle I have piled slate rock (cleaned and sterile). THis makes a cave and a basking spot that's set at 98-106 (range).

I have her in playsand.

She get's at least 2 hours on her basking spot after her meal.

At night she might (in the past) had temps as low as 67-68. However I heard that 65 was fine at night so I wasn't worrying.

Note: I let her run around the house sometimes. We were letting her (at bed time) find her own place to sleep for a couple hours before putting her in her tank. Wasn't worried about temps as even the floor isn't under 65 degrees. She certainly loves sleeping and hanging out under our TV stand. I hang her basking light over the floor so she can get warm at any time...yet she still likes to crawl under the TV stand given the chance.....sometimes she races 3 rooms down the hall.

[lostwithin]

What vet in Fredericton ? I just moved back too Moncton from Fredericton. Is it McGregor (spelling may be off)? She’s great too deal with . And I believe the only reptile vet in Fredericton. I would suggest keeping the temps in the cage on the higher side of the gradient, until everything’s been worked out, I would empty the tank, use paper towel and a simple hide or 2, (cereal box something disposable) clean every day. The baytril should clear the mouth rot up. So I basically gave the same advice as everyone else, keep the temps hot, I wouldn’t drop the temps at night. Keep a clean supply of water, and VERY simple clean cage. If the mouth rot is visibly outside the mouth you can try using Bridine too wash it, but avoid letting the animal swallow it. You can get it from the vet she'll explain. Anything you need too know its just iodine-based soap.
Good luck,
Devon

[drewlowe]

I guess the question is do you currently use a UTH??? Uth's shouldn't be used as a heat source for beardies, they soak in rays from above and Uth's are useless for them. That's why i was asking about the "lighting" setup.

The temp drop into the 60's is fine when there are no health problems. Since she is sick though you want to keep the heat up slightly higher than normal, days and nights, I personally wouldn't do a night drop during this time.

For now though i would keep the set up spotless, and at the very basic.

Letting them out for "playtime" is fine, I get mine out quite often and they have thier own butt imprints on the top of the couch. LOL

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Baytril definitely requires a prescription - it is, as suggested, widely used. I know it seems like a hassle, but definitely switch to paper towel for now, with little to no decorations. Believe me, it is for the best. You want to rid the infection as soon as possible, and this increases the likliness of a smooth, swift recovery. I am guessing she recieved an injury to the oral cavity, which became infected. Your temperatures are fine, it seems. While on medication, I would raise the basking spot to around 115 F and 75 - 80 on the cool side. High temperatures permit the medications to act more efficiently. You can also clean the mouth using something such as hydrogen peroxide - I would get the vet to do this, and ask if he would recommend scheduled cleanings.

[lostwithin]

Hi, for scheduled cleanings that would get costly fast, Its fairly simple too do on your own, The first time I had too do it was with a 4 foot savannah monitor, and it was fairly easy, with a beardy it should be very hard at all, if your nervous then by all means get a vet too do it, But I believe she will just tell you too do it on your own, once or twice daily. Maybe next time your in ask her about it, maybe get the vet too show you once first. I've heard of people using hydrogen peroxide, but would recommend Bridine, and it's not expensive.
Devon

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Depending on the particular vet, follow ups like wound cleaning may not warrant an additional charge. I usually don't pay this, but again I suppose it depends on the clinic.

[V.hb]

Diluted betadine, and diluted peroxide applied with q-tips to the wounds (if they are bad enough to be seen on the exterior of his mouth) work very well as well in combination with baytril.

[ReptiliansDOTca]

V.Hb, betadine is way too messy! LOL.

[V.hb]

haha yes it is, looks like blood and it stains!! hahahaah, but it really does do the trick.

[ReptiliansDOTca]

You got me there, it does work well...BUT IT STAINS! :)

[lostwithin]

betadine, works as well, its just another iodine based one. I agree completely, very messy but works wonders.


Assuming he uses the same reptile vet as I did, (which is likely there aren’t many around) she charged me 30 bucks for every other visit. And for something that simple I wouldn’t bother with the hassle or want too pay for it. But that’s me.

Devon.

[gregandsarah]

I got back from the vet yesterday. What the vet (yes it is McGreggor) said might be pneumonia is gone :) !! The infection in her mouth has gotten smaller. We have her on another 2 weeks of baytril.

I've sterilized the tank as you guys recommended.

I'll keep everyone up0to -date.

Thanks so much for the help folks!!!

The vet seems to think that this could be the result of Oliver's last home.

She was a 4 year olds pet for a couple months before the familly decided they did not have what it took to take care of her. She was sold to them by someone else.

She's got her permanent residence now but...

She was said to be out more than she was in her enclosure which is a good thing because the enclosure was a 10 gal (she's as long as it is).

No UV light.

We've had her now for over 5 months and I've read everything I've been able to get my hands on. I clean her cage often and feces only stays n there until I see it.

Her heating is now comprised of a UTH buried in sand to give an 85-90 degree spot. A 100 watt basking bulb (95-105) and where there was a 72-76 degree spot I have put an infra red bulb to warm it into the 80s while she's sick. ]

I like her having some heat at night so the UTH seems to me to be a good thing.

Her personality is back, she's acting like the little devil we know and love.

She hasn't eaten vegetables in a while. I am super gut loading her crix before giving these to her.

Thanks folks I will keep everyone up to date.

[Icefire]

I hope you gave her a UVB fluorescent?
the rest seems nice :)
could be only the sore that was causing her many problem
(mouth sore do lotsa pain sometimes in humans lol)

[ReptiliansDOTca]

I forgot to mention, if at all possible, put her on a staple diet of soft worms for now, such as silkworms and butterworms. It will feel much nicer for her, and possible increase healing speed.

[gregandsarah]

I've continued this thread under Oliver's continued recovery. Please let me know what you think.

Oh... yest I have a UV tube bulb 8-12 inches from her basking spot.

I'm going to try to get some of those worms on an upcoming trip to Maine.

Sup[er worms are her favourite. It was heartbreaking to see her pick one up last week chomp on it and spit it out. It's hard body must have hurt her sore. I'm trying to give her gutloaded crickets as much as possible but I had to offer her her favourite considering her apetite is so poor.