Weight Loss in Leo - Page 3

Tim and Julie B · 06-15-03, 03:56 PM

I just emailed about the parazap. I hope I can get it in Canada though. We'll see.

drewlowe · 06-15-03, 05:56 PM

samba try to get that parazap. It's my last choice to try this stuff. Loki used to be a good 50 - 60 grams, now shes down to around 15- 20 grams. She is skin and bones right now. But that parazap seems to already be helping. she recieved her 2nd dose today and she ate 2 mealies already and i'm going to try to feed her 2-3 more tonight before bed. If you want samba i will send you a pic of how bad off she really is. I don't like to admit how bad off she is cause of two reasons 1. it looks like i don't know how to take care of my reptiles. 2. i hate knowing how sick she is and i try to help her but i also try to block it out cause i know i'm trying every thing i can to help her. and every time i think about it i want to cry.

anyway i would try that parazap. I think it may help cause in only 2 days i have noticed a change. I will continue to let you know how it works out. I know how i feel about loki and i know you care the same way about darwin. And if i can help i will try. I wish the best for you and darwin. good luck.

Samba · 06-16-03, 10:32 AM

Drew,

I regret to inform you and everyone else that Darwin passed away this morning. When I approached his cage there was bloody stools and/or vomit in the 'defication' corner of his tank. He was particially out of his hide with his mouth gaping. His eyes were open but unresponsive. Of course I dived right in and picked him up. He was barely clinging to life and an hour later he passed away in my arms.

I am completely and totally distraught. I never thought that he would die. I thought I could trust my vet to treat him properly. I guess I am just being resentful because I have no blame to place on anyone. I did my part, my vet did his (not that he could have done better, though). Darwin is still gone. Forever.

In my agony, my brother tried to comfort me (of course, it had little effect). He suggested I sue my vet for malpractice (I didn't pay any mind... my brother is a wild person). After awhile I thought about it... If my vet had given the Droncit first, and not the Panacur, my Darwin might still be here. If Grant is correct, the dosage my vet prescribed for the Droncit probably OD'd him. I guess I will never know.

I am going to ask some collegues of mine for their opinions. I would like to have a necropsy performed, but I don't have $100's of dollars for that...

Thank you all for your advice, support and interest. I feel like I not only let myself and Darwin down, but you as well.

Drew- I really hope Loki recovers so you don't have to go through what I went through. This has been 3 weeks of hell and the pain is nowhere near letting up... Good luck with her, and make careful notes on her progress, etc. Perhaps one day you can use those notes for another cause, or research.

Again, thanks to everyone.

drewlowe · 06-16-03, 10:47 AM

Samba i'm so sorry for your loss. There's no words i know that will make the pain go away, but my condolinces are with you. Please do not feel like you have let anyone down you have tried your hardest and that is the best that you can do.

Samba · 06-16-03, 03:15 PM

Drew - thanks for your kind words. I'm still kinda in shock. Some vets I talked to said that they would recommend that I get a fecal re-done (I don't even want to ask how they'd do this on a deceased animal); there is stipulation as to wether Darwin ever had tapeworms. Secondly, I found a Dr. who would perform a necropsy for $20.00 - but that doesn't sound right, and I don't know if it would be worth it. On one hand I have closure, because I don't believe the worms killed him; on the other hand I figure what good would the information do me? Unless I am planning on action against my vet there's really no reason. Since I am undecided, I am keeping Darwin in the fridge for now. I'll have to make up my mind soon.

Thanks, again and keep me updated on Loki.

drewlowe · 06-16-03, 03:54 PM

Samba, Personaly i would get the necropsy done. Just for a piece of mind. And if it wasn't the worms then at least you would know what from. also it would help you decide whether or not your vet was right or not, and maybe have you looking for a better vet. The way i look at it too, even though it is very sad this will give you a look into possible health problems leos can come across and help you understand them a little more.

The more personal experinces you deal with, the more you will learn.

I will let you know in a week or so how shes doing. i'm trying not to bother her unless i'm feeding or giving her that stuff. Also you may want to look into parazap just incase you need it in the future.

Grant vg · 06-16-03, 11:10 PM

Samba,

i am sorry for your loss.
unfortunately are animals arn't made of steel and things life this happen.
Perhaps it was your vet, perhaps it was the worms, but the blame should definately not be put on you.
You did everything in your power to help your little guy.
The whole thing seems like it is your vets fault, but even smart vets cant cure every animal.
Perhaps file a complaint on your vet, its up to you. I would take the necropsy and see what comes up.
It can never hurt.

Goodluck in the future.

Gvg

Dragon_Slave · 06-16-03, 11:31 PM

Samba,
I am SO sorry to hear about Darwin. I know that when my first bearded dragon died, I was soo distraught. However, my vet performed a necropsy for free, for her own knowledge as to why he died. I would recommend having the necropsy done, personally, to put your mind at ease. The vet and I did not know why my dragon passed, we thought he had some sort of calcium deficiency or something, but turns out, after she did the necropsy... he had birth defects and it could not be prevented. That made me sleep a lot better because there were no ''what if's''. I know that it's hard to lose a pet, but something that really helps is moving on. Get another pet, that's what I did.. and it has helped SO MUCH! Good luck.. Darwin is in my prayers.

Alicewave · 06-17-03, 06:48 AM

So sorry for your loss Samba, I know you sure did everything you can. Definitely go for the necropsy for peace of mind. I think it's interesting that a it was suggested that he may never have had tapeworms. I think that's a really valid point because Darwin is the first case of tapeworms in a Leo I have heard of. Other types of parasites are pretty common but tape worms was a new one for me. I would definitely look into finding a new herp vet.
Maybe this link will help you find a new one:
http://www.arav.org/Members/NM.htm

Samba · 06-17-03, 10:25 AM

Thank you all for your condolences. You know, people are starting to look at me funny because I'm crying over the loss of a gecko, but I don't care.

I think no matter what the necropsy results yield I am going to find another vet. Mine has never disappointed me until he seemed agitated and irritated with me. He promised to return phone calls three times and never did. I REQUIRE that my vet care about my animals as much as I do.

I have found another reptile specialist in my area, and she will be performing the necropsy (for $20.00? It's inexpensive... I wonder if I heard her right...) Even over the phone, and I know I talked her ear off about everything that happened, she was still patient and understanding with me. I haven't been to class in two days because of this mess, so I am going to take Darwin's precious little body to her and hopefully we'll know what killed him.

I've been searching around online, and I've only found a few, unspecific cases on Leos with tapeworms, the good thing is they (the geckos) appear to only become infected with them if they eat a prey animal or fecal matter which is infected with Tapeworms. The liklihood of my other geckos getting it is slim, but still possible.

I am preparing to disinfect Darwin's cage this morning, and would like some excellent cleaning tips. I am planning to keep it outside in the sun for a week or so after cleaning, just to be sure it's safe.

Again, thank you. This is a difficult time for me and your kind words make it a little easier. I will post soon to let you know when the necropsy is being performed and the results.

Alicewave · 06-17-03, 11:16 AM

cleaning tips: You pretty much can't go wrong with this one BUT make sure not to mix them. Certain parasites are immune to certain chemicals so this double duty should take care of whatever he had. I would first do a bleach cleaning (10% bleach, the rest warm water). Make sure the bleach stays on for a couple minutes at least, then rinse with boiling water if you can. Leave it for a few days to air out. Then do the same thing substituting ammonia for bleach (ammonia is the only thing that kills crypto) but again make sure the chemicals are never mixed and rinsed well.

Samba · 06-17-03, 03:03 PM

Thanks, Meg. I will do just that. Just to let you guys know, I took little Darwin's body to have the necropsy performed today. The vet will be getting back to me this evening or tomorrow. I'll probably start a new thread when I get the results because this one is getting to be pretty long. Thank you all for your help!