When to say enough!

[chamlover]

As you all probably know already my melleri will not be with us much longer because of all his health problems. My concern now is when to say when. He has stopped eating for 4 days now and has not been drinking by himself for almost 2 weeks. I finally found out why today. I think he has pneumonia. If not a very serious URI. I went to check on him and i saw a large amount of flem hanging on his chin and he was all spotted up. I wiped his chin and took him out to check him. To my horror when i opened his mouth, he was fulled with flem, which i promptly removed. I have had chams with URI before but never to this extreme. I can also hear him breathing with difficulty and you can even see he is having a hard time and is in alot of stress. Of course with today being a holiday i won't be able to get him in to a vet until tomorrow. But considering everything else, i'm just wondering when do you say enough and let them go? It will break my heart to have to do so, but i don't want him to suffer either.

Debby

 

[Jeremy l]

are you thinking about putting him to sleep ? i know its a hard decision to make for your cham. but if he is suffering and there is nothing you can do to get him better, then it is the right choice to make for his sake. i am sorry to hear about your melleri.

 

[Jam]

With Hermie my vet told me to make a quality of life checklist. And the main one on his is when he stops eating for an extended period, it's time. He does go on hunger strikes occasionally but we can bring that around with new foods. I was worried a while ago that Herm was suffering and it may be time but the vet pointed out that he was eating and drinking on his own and was quite active so he thought that we should keep pushing.

The other thing that I consider is temporary vs. forever/long term. Is he temporarily feeling bad enough to stop eating but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or has he stopped eating and will not get better.

I'm sorry that you are having to make this decision. It is one of the hardest ones that an owner can make.

jamie

 

[studiocham]

The dehydration from not drinking for so long causes chams to produce excessive, thick saliva. A lower respiratory infection (which is pneumonia) is not being helped by the saliva issue. The saliva could be making it look worse than it is.

Does he breathe better in a shower, with the humidity so high? This should give some relief, maybe even get him to drink. If he's able to perch, a vet will prescribe Baytril while you wait for results on a C&S on a saliva swab. They can come back from respiratory infections, but it takes some work. I'd suggest calling the vet office and leaving a message that you wish to make an appointment for a reptile w/breathing difficulties. That way, you might be first in line for any appointment openings Tues.

If he's blowing bubbles out his nostrils, white color body, and gaping, it's time to go to the Emergency Vet.

If he can't hold the perch firmly, it's probably best to let him have peace.

Is this the melleri with the tumor?

I am sorry that you've had a difficult introduction to this species.

 

[chamlover]

Yes this is my melleri with the tumor. He does have a really good grip though. It has been about 4 days that he hasn't eaten but about 2 weeks since he drank on his own. I have been giving him water dayly by a dripper tube. I just lift his lower lip up and slowly insert the water. It has been working well but everytime i would shower him he will never drink on his own. I was afraid to give him a shower because i thought that would make the URI worse. I will put him in the bathroom tonite with lots of steam to help him breath better. I never thought of that. My vet is awesome, when i do call him with any kind of problem he takes me right in so i'm not worried about that. How do you tell the difference between a URI and pneumonia?

Debby

 

[Lancecham]

Take him to a vet ASAP. I'm sure he will be given medication to take. After the medication is completed, then you may want to re-evaluate the situation if he is not getting better.