That was quick
Okay, wasn't it????! Can we talk about this for a second you guys? I'm like in shock, alright I didnt have totally unrealistic expectations, I was expecting if he went it would be for parasite reasons, then he's been sick but not like this, literally we were at the vet YESTERDAY Morning. No talk at all about respiratory issues, cause there was zero symptoms. The vet was thinking he had a vitamin A deficiency because of hemipenal swelling, mucous issues with sperm plugs and I just finished saying, I wasn't sure cause you'd think he'd have some eye issues, respiratory issues, nothing.
Last night, he was fine. Climbed around, drank, ate a couple of crickets.
Then I go upstairs tonight , turn onhis lights and boom - won't open one eye. I misted him well, still wouldn't open it. I got worried, decided to pick him up to take a better look. Seemed a little weak coming off the vine. I dripped warm water off my fingers for him to drink, and put some onto his closed eye too, after a few minutes of this it worked, he opened the eye. I thought maybe the deep inhalation was a puff up to look tough cause he's scared kind of thing. Then I said wait was that a pop? They say popping sounds for uri... I put him back in cage, he didnt grip vine well. After a little bit he kind of tilted to the side onthe vine. He didn't right himself or regrip. After about five minutes I
said come on. I turned him around properly, but he wasn't grabbing on. I
finally just picked him up and held him in my hand near basking light to warm
up. Then the wheezing, opening mouth started, deep breaths, gasping. I was frantically typing with one hand, holding him with other. I tried putting him in mist from humidifier, that seemed to help for a second, then back to basking, that seemed to help for a second, by the time I had a reply, he was on to those last couple breaths.
Anyways, I was probably wrong about the vitA diagnosis?
What could have caused him to go so far downhill so fast though, it seems crazy fast.
The difference? I added a stronger basking light last night. He was too cold the day before and I was pretty sure that was probably why he vomited up undigested worm. So I went from 60 to 100 bulb, but in a new deep dome fixture, so set back from the cage a little bit more, he did bask right up in it though, like he needed it.
Or else, maybe the trip to the vet yesterday? Out in the cold? I was pretty careful to keep the outside time super quick, I preheated the car, I carried him in an explorarium, but I added a little heat pack onthe bottom and sitting on top, and I freshened them with new ones after the appt was done too, so it would be warm for the walk across the street again. So be never got super cold, like 2 mins of fresh air though, twice.
Plus of course the stress didn't help I'm sure. He seemed to be settling in so good though, otherwise, really happy with the plants in the cage, seemed pretty chill like he was digging his new home, checking out the different spots, drinking well, just not basking much so I assumed temps were in a good range that he didn't need to.
I understand if he did have the vitamin A issue, it would make him susceptible to respiratory infections but it must have been something specific that I did wrong like since yesterday to turn it into an actual active respiratory infection...
I really was not expecting this. At all. I really thought there'd be absolutely no chance he wouldn't make it till I went back to vet on Monday for decals and prescription. Neither did vet. I thought if any issues, it would have been more vent bleeding, not anything respiratory.
It's just crazy, I still can't believe that just happened....
I mean okay, I'm actually, as horrible as it was, I'm actually so glad it happened like that, with me there watching, holding, actively trying to help
him than if I had been sleeping and woke up to him dead with no idea why or how. So I guess that's a plus. Go insomnia, for once you came in handy I guess.
It's crazy how much how fast i fell in love with the little guy though. It was a wonderful 15 days. Well, 16 cause it was after midnight right. Sweet 16.
Sigh.
Thanks for listening.
Poor little guy. I feel soooo bad.
