Another Vet Appointment

[ChameleonAlley]

Well damn, I have another vet appointment for Ziggy at 3:30. I'm almost sure he has a Respiratory Infection now. If it is, I've caught it early. Just yesterday he started opening his mouth and taking deep breaths, but only does it every 10-15 minutes or so. He was also bulging his gular and has thicker than normal saliva.

Would you all recommend the use of Baytril or Fortaz to treat a respiratory infection? I think he might have gotten this due to all the stress of the other treatments he's been getting.

 

[chams1]

I generally use Baytril for a respiratory infection.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Thanks for the response. Have your results been good most of the time?

 

[chams1]

Yes, for the most part. Depends usually on how bad the infection is. If it is a RI, you will most likely get put on a 2-week dose.

My vet has been doing some research on new ways to treat RI in reptiles and I have actually tried it and it seems to work well. He believes that the combination of certain meds along with using a nebulizer works better than meds alone. Not necessarily a nebulizer with meds pumping into it, but just with water. My vet has been experimenting with this for just a little while but the couple times that I have tried it seems to have worked very well.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Oh wow. I was reading about the nebulizer technology that they were using in the UK. I'm guessing my vet will probably administer the standard treatment of drugs. I just hope that the results with treating RI's are usually positive.

 

[jannb]

A few past threads about URI.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/back-vet-medication-questions-39302/

 

[bridgofaith]

A few past threads about URI.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/back-vet-medication-questions-39302/

Thanks for posting that Jann!

Baytril worked for us because a culture and sensitivity test was performed and found that the 2 bacteria were susceptible to Baytril but not Fortaz. I suggest that you add a warm mist humidifier to the cage and up the temps a little. Do the humidifier 24/7, you should begin to see improvement within a couple of days. Warm showers are also a good idea. If you can get your guy outside for some good sun, I would also do that. Good Luck to you!

 

[ChameleonAlley]

^^Thank you so much both of you!! I read through that entire thread, and it sounds like you had quite a struggle with your little girl. I was thinking about adding the humidifier and doing the warm showers, but I was reading contradictory things. Some people were saying added humidity was bad and others said it was good. I have upped the temps. I will start the warm showers immediately and get a warm mist humidifier.

 

[bridgofaith]

^^Thank you so much both of you!! I read through that entire thread, and it sounds like you had quite a struggle with your little girl. I was thinking about adding the humidifier and doing the warm showers, but I was reading contradictory things. Some people were saying added humidity was bad and others said it was good. I have upped the temps. I will start the warm showers immediately and get a warm mist humidifier.

The humidity keeps things moist and loose, it helps them to expel the mucus. I hope things work out easier for you.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Well, my vet is very awesome. He gave me PLENTY of Baytril if I ever need it again.

I just wanted to get your all's opinion on 11.3mg/mL mixture of Baytril given to a 34 gram chameleon at .03mL per dosage. Does this sound right?

 

[bridgofaith]

My 48 gram female was getting 0.02 cc daily if that helps. Be sure to keep it away from direct light and it doesn't need to be refrigerated. It should also stay clear, if it turns brown, don't use it.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

My 48 gram female was getting 0.02 cc daily if that helps. Be sure to keep it away from direct light and it doesn't need to be refrigerated. It should also stay clear, if it turns brown, don't use it.

Thank you very very much. They Baytril I have is brown, though. This is not good?? My vet really seems to know what he's talking about.

 

[bridgofaith]

It is possible that it's still good, but Baytril should be clear. I have used brown Baytril before. It helped but not nearly as effective as the clear formula I recently used. Dr. Alfonso said it may have still been somewhat active but not strong enough to fully kill the bacteria.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

It is possible that it's still good, but Baytril should be clear.

This is a thick brown. Now I'm worried. Not to go against your judgement, but are you sure of this? Would brown Baytril be uneffective or could it hurt?

 

[bridgofaith]

This is a thick brown. Now I'm worried. Not to go against your judgement, but are you sure of this? Would brown Baytril be uneffective or could it hurt?

I am positive it should be clear. That comes directly from Dr. Alfonso. I asked him specifically about Baytril being brown.

EDIT:

I do not think it could hurt to treat him with it. I have used it before, just wasn't as effective.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Do you happen to know if brown is unsafe or uneffective or old?

I really appreciate your input, btw

 

[bridgofaith]

When I spoke with Dr. Alfonso regarding it turning brown, he wasn't sure why it does that. He leaves his out on his counter and has never had it turn brown before. He does question it's effectivness after it turns brown.

 

[jannb]

It is possible that it's still good, but Baytril should be clear. I have used brown Baytril before. It helped but not nearly as effective as the clear formula I recently used. Dr. Alfonso said it may have still been somewhat active but not strong enough to fully kill the bacteria.

I agree. My vet Dr. Alfonso said that Baytril should be clear.

 

[ChameleonAlley]

I am positive it should be clear. That comes directly from Dr. Alfonso. I asked him specifically about Baytril being brown.

EDIT:

I do not think it could hurt to treat him with it. I have used it before, just wasn't as effective.

I honestly hate to say something to my vet unless it is uneffective or could hurt him. The reason for this is that I could tell he gave me ALOT because he believed that I knew what I was talking about, had a lot of chams, and knew how common Respiratory infections are so if this happened again I wouldn't have to pay to get a subscription. If it's uneffective or could hurt him, than I need to do something about it.

 

[bridgofaith]

I honestly hate to say something to my vet unless it is uneffective or could hurt him. The reason for this is that I could tell he gave me ALOT because he believed that I knew what I was talking about, had a lot of chams, and knew how common Respiratory infections are so if this happened again I wouldn't have to pay to get a subscription. If it's uneffective or could hurt him, than I need to do something about it.

You can use it and try it. Keep up the warm mist humidifier and warm showers. Watch for either improvement or further decline. I feel like you should see improvement honestly. RIs are very common and are treatable thankfully. Plus, the dose you are using is a little more than what I was using. If it is decreased in it's effectivness the extra amount should help.