Broken leg?!

[Thompson]

Ok just got back from the vet. I had to take in my other chameleon today because he wasn't using his tounge. They gave me some medication and I want to check if it is safe to use for my chams. They also said that neptune may have gout but they didn't take any blood from him, I asked if they would test him and they said the x-ray we took showed no gout in his arm. Here is the medication they gave to me for his arm

Rimadyl 25 MG/ML and I give him 0.5 MLS Once Daily

Cochicine 0.5 MG/ML 30 MLS 0.2 MLS TODAY then 0.5 Twice daily

BAYTRIL 10 MG/ML 0.5 For 14 Days

Those are for neptune, these are for Peppermint's tounge problem

BAYTRIL 10 MG/ML 0.5 For 14 Days

NeoCalGlucon 0.2 MLS once daily

Rimadyl 1MG/ML 0.5 Once daily

Are these common to any of you? They also said the medication for neptune is for gout but it shouldn't hurt him if he doesn't have gout.

 

[Thompson]

Anyone have any thoughts??

 

[ajacobson]

Anyone have any thoughts??

Just curious how much the vet visit cost? I want to get an idea for if the time comes (knock on wood).

 

[Thompson]

Today's vet visit was 148$, and his first visit was 150$

 

[ajacobson]

Today's vet visit was 148$, and his first visit was 150$

Ouch! I expected more though, last time my cat went it was like $350!

 

[Thompson]

Wow that's a lot. It's to bad they over price everything!

 

[FFSTRescue]

Ok just got back from the vet. I had to take in my other chameleon today because he wasn't using his tounge. They gave me some medication and I want to check if it is safe to use for my chams. They also said that neptune may have gout but they didn't take any blood from him, I asked if they would test him and they said the x-ray we took showed no gout in his arm. Here is the medication they gave to me for his arm

Rimadyl 25 MG/ML and I give him 0.5 MLS Once Daily

Cochicine 0.5 MG/ML 30 MLS 0.2 MLS TODAY then 0.5 Twice daily

BAYTRIL 10 MG/ML 0.5 For 14 Days

Those are for neptune, these are for Peppermint's tounge problem

BAYTRIL 10 MG/ML 0.5 For 14 Days

NeoCalGlucon 0.2 MLS once daily

Rimadyl 1MG/ML 0.5 Once daily

Are these common to any of you? They also said the medication for neptune is for gout but it shouldn't hurt him if he doesn't have gout.

I would get a second opinion, the Rimadyl will help reduce the inflammation and therefore pain, the Baytril is if there is an infection, and the Colchicine is for gout, it inhibits the deposit of uric acids as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory. I'm not sure if she is dosing high or low on the spectrum, I'll have to check my books and get back to you. You have to know that no meds are safe. Many of us have had reptiles die from meds, mainly if there is an underlying problem, like hepatic or renal insufficiency, but it is a gamble, and these drugs are prescribed because they have been successfully and safely used for the majority of reptiles.
What is sounds like is this vet is throwing an arsenal of meds at you to cover all angles. I would definitely do the Rimadyl for the analgesic affect (pain relief) and inflammation, but if she doesn't think it is gout, why is she giving you Colchicine? If she doesn't think it is an infection, why is she giving Baytril? If I were you, I would do the Rimadyl, but tell your vet to consult other vets about using all three at once. That puts a heavy load on your chams system, especially if it is gout, especially since there could be an overload of uric acid in his system (in the case of gout).
There are many vets that will consult with you over the phone without a visit, all you have to do is tell them what the other vet said, have the records faxed, and get their opinion. Many will give it for the well-being of the animal. It is up to you if you want to use all three for Neptune.
As far as your other cham, Neocalglucon and Rimadyl are fine (if used in at correct dose), but what was the diagnosis and why is the vet prescribing Baytril for that? Did she say it is an infection?
So basically she is just trying to address several issues at once, in my opinion, and if you decide to give those meds, make sure you hydrate your chameleons EXTREMELY well, I mean whether they want to drink or not. Just my opinion from what I know and experience, I would definitely consult with a different vet. There is nothing wrong with a second opinion, especially if the vet doesn't know what it is in the first place, she won't be offended.

 

[Thompson]

She thinks that his tounge problem maybe due to an infection. I don't know of any other good vets in vegas, another was givin to me but they said that he was as good as the vet I'm going to now. Also she thinks he does have gout that is why she gave me the Cochicine.

 

[FFSTRescue]

She thinks that his tounge problem maybe due to an infection. I don't know of any other good vets in vegas, another was givin to me but they said that he was as good as the vet I'm going to now. Also she thinks he does have gout that is why she gave me the Cochicine.

Then that's fine for the tongue problem, just make sure you mist well.
For Neptune, if it is gout, caused by infection or bacterial illness (which would be very narrowed down), that is a good combo, and just make sure you give water via syringe with each administration of medication. I always call other vets regardless of their level of expertise because they may have dealt with something like this before by chance, and if another vet is just as good, that would be a great person to consult with then. The only issue about using the antibiotic, is that if it is gout caused by something other than infection and it clears and then reoccurs, then you will not know if it was the infection that caused it the first time, and you will not know if the Baytril helped, or if the Colchicine helped, and you will have to either do the combo again, or try one or the other next time. However, if it is an infection and you didn't use the baytril, it could spread. Just food for thought.

 

[Thompson]

Well I am a little nervous now that you say that they could die from these meds I don't know if I want to use all three now. Is the calcium she gave me safe? If I do use all three, how long should I wait in between each med? For hydration I'll give them a shower everyday until the meds are done.

 

[jannb]

I would find another vet. That's an awful lot of drugs.

 

[FFSTRescue]

Well I am a little nervous now that you say that they could die from these meds I don't know if I want to use all three now. Is the calcium she gave me safe? If I do use all three, how long should I wait in between each med? For hydration I'll give them a shower everyday until the meds are done.

I didn't mean to scare ya there , just always putting that out there as an option so people know that there is a small chance. Sometimes people get really upset if something happens to their animal and they were told that the meds were completely safe. You just have to know there is a possibility. I think the shower every day is great, but I would still administer the meds with some water, just place it in the syringe as well to stay safe. Good luck with the treatment, I hope it goes away and stays gone

 

[FFSTRescue]

I forgot to answer your other question, make sure you give the meds after the chams have warmed up in the morning and in the evening, make sure you give them at least an hour or two to metabolize the drugs before lights out (with water). You didn't say whether or not she told you to do Baytril twice daily, but I'm guessing so. Also, give the Rimadyl in the morning, then there will be plenty of hydration throughout the day to prevent any kidney damage.

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Like I said before, Gorman is notorious for this type of stuff. She is definitely the type of vet that throws meds at her patients without a proper explanation...trying to get one is like pulling teeth (for me anyway). I would give Kolmstetter a call for a second opinion. I would also wait until after her diagnosis to present what Gorman recommended. Kolmstetter will take the time to explain exactly what she has done for the animal, as well as why she recommends whatever meds she might prescribe. I really think you should get a second opinion at this point.

 

[Thompson]

I forgot to answer your other question, make sure you give the meds after the chams have warmed up in the morning and in the evening, make sure you give them at least an hour or two to metabolize the drugs before lights out (with water). You didn't say whether or not she told you to do Baytril twice daily, but I'm guessing so. Also, give the Rimadyl in the morning, then there will be plenty of hydration throughout the day to prevent any kidney damage.

Ok thank you. I think she wants me to give them the Rimadyl once daily.

 

[Thompson]

Like I said before, Gorman is notorious for this type of stuff. She is definitely the type of vet that throws meds at her patients without a proper explanation...trying to get one is like pulling teeth (for me anyway). I would give Kolmstetter a call for a second opinion. I would also wait until after her diagnosis to present what Gorman recommended. Kolmstetter will take the time to explain exactly what she has done for the animal, as well as why she recommends whatever meds she might prescribe. I really think you should get a second opinion at this point.

I'll give Kolmstetter a call, thanks.

 

[FFSTRescue]

Ok thank you. I think she wants me to give them the Rimadyl once daily.

Yep, Rimadyl is once daily. Did you mean to say she wants you to give Baytril once daily? If that is the case, and you decide to go through with these meds, then I would alternate, give the Rimadyl in the morning with the Colchicine and the Baytril in the evening with the Colchicine, that way the kidneys aren't bombarded with too many drugs at once (but in the evening give plenty of time for the drugs to be metabolized before lights out, and remember they settle in and slow down before the lights even go out, so factor that in as well as factoring in that you give the drugs spaced apart as well as possible).

 

[Thompson]

Yep, Rimadyl is once daily. Did you mean to say she wants you to give Baytril once daily? If that is the case, and you decide to go through with these meds, then I would alternate, give the Rimadyl in the morning with the Colchicine and the Baytril in the evening with the Colchicine, that way the kidneys aren't bombarded with too many drugs at once (but in the evening give plenty of time for the drugs to be metabolized before lights out, and remember they settle in and slow down before the lights even go out, so factor that in as well as factoring in that you give the drugs spaced apart as well as possible).

Yes she wants me to give him the Rimadyl once daily for 14 days. So you're telling me to give them the Rimadyl in the morning and then at around 2(?) I should gie him the Colchicine and the Baytril at once?

 

[Elizadolots]

Rimadyl is normally prescribed for dogs with arthritis. I've given it to an elderly pug. It's a good drug for arthritic conditions (like Gout) but I had no idea Reptiles were sufficiently like mammals for such a specific drug to be equally applicable.

 

[FFSTRescue]

NSAIDs like Rimadyl are pretty universal, I use Metacam though.

The key to giving twice daily is to try to make the administration once every 12 hours, but you have to take into consideration that they need heat to metabolize the drugs efficiently and so it doesn't just sit in their system if they are cold, which doesn't happen to mammals. So from what I understand, you were prescribed Rimadyl once daily, Colchicine twice daily, and Baytril once daily? (you still didn't say if Baytril is once or twice daily, just the Rimadyl). If you are concerned about when to give it, I would call her, as well as the other vet for sure, but what I would do if I was prescribed those drugs at the frequency she prescribed for you would be: give the Rimadyl and Colchicine at 9 am (since lights come on at 8) and then the Colchicine and Baytril at 7:30 pm and turn the lights off at 9 -10pm. That is just what I would do, I am not sure what your lighting schedule is, so just work around it accordingly. The vets you consult may say something different, but I am just giving you some things to consider and saying what I would do in case you don't talk with them, but do whatever makes you the most comfortable. They may want you to give the Baytril, Colchicine, and Rimadyl in the morning and the colchicine at night (so that those three drugs have the heat of the day to metabolize), but I just have my own theories as to why I give the meds when I do. Hope that helps