my e-mail to the vet and her reply:(

[phaemas]

I echanged e-mails with the vet and this is what happened. my e-mail was first:

Hi Phadra,

This has me concerned that Marvin’s respiratory infection is progressing. We may have to adjust her antibiotics or switch to antibiotic injections. This is given every second day at the clinic. It can take awhile for skinks to get better…the key is to optimize her nutrition, her environment (warmer temperature, more humidity) and combine this with medications. As it is with people, sometimes there is so much damage done to the organs from infection, that we are fighting a losing battle. I would strongly urge you to bring Marvin in for a reevaluation in order to start her on injectable antibiotics. I would continue to steam her as this will help move mucus out of the lungs. Please let me know your thoughts, or call the clinic to bring her in ASAP.

Thank you,
Dr. Amanda Malboeuf

Hey:( Today I camp home and marvins eyes had crusted over and there was a white dis-charge on the eyes. Nose is still crusting over/filling in. Also she managed to damage her snout real bad. Is there anything I can do other than the medication and steaming? I'm afraid I might loose her or that she'll never get better....

Thought you guys would like to know this:( Going to talk my mom into every single thing we can for treatment. Is reptile cancer possible? I found a CRACKED and bleeding scales right open by her leg today as well:(

[Richard.C]

might pay to go for a return visit,have u upped the temps,what caused the respitory infection needs to befixed to otherwise it will be hard to make your bluey better,i prefer to keep them dryer to help clear respitory infection

[phaemas]

We don't know what caused it at all:( I heard the being too humid causes RI's and another place says that too dry causes RI's:'(

[A.VinczeBTs]

I'm no vet, however when ball pythons get respiratory infections lowering humidity tends to work much better. Because they don't clear out their lungs like we do (we can cough it up), so steaming can make it worse.

No idea if it's the same for skinks but maybe less steaming will help. Maybe mention it to the vet?

Buuut one thing is right, don't give up yet! They take a bit to heal up so think the best!!

[phaemas]

Thanks:) I shared info with the vet that may be a cause to her hard to breath that I know very well COULD be a cause. They don't think it could be causing it but

[El Lobo]

I'm not sure what is meant by steaming as part of the treatment, other than using heated water to produce steam for inhalation or to raise humidity. There is something else that may benefit, that is nebulising. This would entail having access to a nebuliser such as that used by asthmatics to introduce a "steam" into a chamber where the BTS can inhale the vapour. It could contain a mixture of saline and a diluted liquid such as F10 to kill bacteria in the respiratory tract, or even to carry antibiotics.

Maybe talk to your vet about introducing a secretolytic or mucolytic such as Bisolvon to help break down the mucous. The problem with a long term respiratory infection is damage caused to the lining of the the airways and even the lungs which harbour smaller amounts of the bacteria in an anaerobic environment which some antibiotics will not reach, so that any time the immune system is compromised they will re-colonise as the body fights a newer infection. From personal experience with pets I have always preferred to use the primary antibiotic in combination with metronidazole (Flagyl) to broaden the spectrum of the antibiotics. Metronidazole has good efficacy against anaerobic bacteria.

Obviously this should all be discussed with your vet and not undertaken without full consultation. It may be your vet has a different treatment protocol in mind.

Good luck.

[Katrina]

Too high or too low humidity can cause respiratory problems - it depends on the reptile and their natural environment. Lowering humidity would not be good for a tropical species like T gigas.

Definitely take her back to the vet and discuss. Good luck!! You are doing a good job in caring for her, keep it up.

[phaemas]

Thanks Kat:) I try my best but it's wearing me out now:( I stay up till over 10 feeding her on some days when I know I have school the next morning:| I'm going to talk my mom and try to win the battle for a blood test. That was an option last time to see what we're dealing with. I feel SOO much of a traitor to my vet right now:( I e-mailed Cenntenial animal hosptial and asked what they would do in a situation like mine...

[SFBlueTongue81]

There's nothing wrong with a second opinion! Humans do it all the time. If she's not getting better I would do the same thing.

[phaemas]

Ya:) I'm also going to ask if she says yes, i'ma ask the vet if they can do something else with the sample as well as the bacterial cheack.

[Katrina]

This is sounding like a similar problem that Nemo / Joey had. Unfortunately Riff-Raff (one of mine) is also experiencing similar problems - his are eyes only. I'm speaking to my vet and he is researching these types of problems, we have tried antibiotic eye drops and then oral bayril with Riff-Raff and no improvement. I'll let you know if we come up with anything.

Good luck!!

[phaemas]

Okay:) Here's the issues with marcie:

Discharge and eyes being sealed shut
nose filling up
lots of foaming around the mouth
crackling in left(i think) lung and increased effort to breath

[phaemas]

I think Marvins done fighting:'( She sounds like she's coughing up water now.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Could you take pictures?

[Fatal_S]

What vet did you use? There's only 2 reptile vets in Wpg: Winrose and Centennial. Other vets may be awesome but without reptile knowledge their hands are tied. If you want the absolute best chance for Marvin you schedule an emergency appt with Centennial. If anyone in Wpg can diagnose and treat Marcie it's Centennial.

[phaemas]

Thanks Fatal. But Centennial is SOO far away from us:( winrose is closer at half hour:(

EDIT:
My mom said she'll see what happens after she finnishes her meds in about a week or less:( But once she's done I plan to ask my dad if my mom woun't if he can take Marcie and me to Centennial.

[Katrina]

I think Marvins done fighting:'( She sounds like she's coughing up water now.

It frustrates me that you are giving up on her so quickly. You have posted several times about how she seems almost done, but not long ago you wanted to breed her. Please keep talking to you vet (or get a second opinion) and do what they recommend.

I'm sorry this is hard on you but it is part of owning pets. It is a huge responsibility but when you decided to get her you signed up for it.

[phaemas]

Please remember that I am 13 and this is extremely hard on me. She's stopped eating again and has lost almost 25 grams. I'm not giving up on choice it's my parents. We're going through a hard time right now and the last thing on our minds is a vet bill.

[Katrina]

Please remember that I am 13 and this is extremely hard on me. She's stopped eating again and has lost almost 25 grams. I'm not giving up on choice it's my parents. We're going through a hard time right now and the last thing on our minds is a vet bill.

Phaemas - I understand you are 13. Please remember that many of us on here thought something like this was going to happen. We cautioned you to save up money for potential vet bills. We begged you not to get a second bluey because we weren't sure you could care for one properly. We begged you not to breed them. I remember telling you on two occasions that it might seem like we are being mean, but we only want what is best for your BTS. And we aren't sure that you could provide them with proper care for 20+ years. I told you that the best thing you could do is prove us wrong.

You didn't listen to our advice. You got a second one anyway. And now one is likely dying and it is hard on you because you are 13 and you are going through a hard time and the last thing on your minds is vet bills. Marvin didn't have a choice about coming to live with you. You chose to take her. You chose to not listen to our advice. And now it looks like Marvin might die.

I'm sorry Phaemas - I know this is really mean. I'm extremely disappointed in you. You just proved us all right and the worst part is that Marvin might die because of it. It is hard on you, but Marvin might DIE and she has no one else to depend on but you.

[phaemas]

You have NO IDEA how hard on me this has been! I've been baby sitting like crazy but the person never pays me when they say they will. Once I get payed i have enough for an exam. I feel bad enough without you rubbing my face in it.