Possible breathing issues?

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

My leo (6-7 months old) had a little encounter with my cat about 2 months ago, resulting to a puncture in the skin on the lung area. Recently ive heard a slight whistle when he breathes, but other than that he seems fine. Anything I can do? Please don't suggest a vet, that's obvious, and ill try my best.

 

[majahawt]

If it's obvious that he needs a visit to the vet, then I suggest a visit to the vet. That does sound like it could be serious

 

[Tongue Flicker]

Yeah any confrontation with a cat is not a light matter to be past off.. I had a huge hermit crab and a snake who died recently squaring off with my sister's cat while i was away on vacation.

If it is indeed an internal matter then your gecko might need a little medical attention (or not too little if it needs surgery)

 

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

My local vet sees mostly cats and dogs, so im a little hesitant to take a creature such as a leo due to inexperience. That's why I would rather find out if its something I can fix at home with a suggestion from people who are well experienced with leos and know what they are talking about.

 

[majahawt]

Unfortunately, there won't be anything you could do at home with a respiratory problem connected to an injury. Cat claws/teeth are full of nasty bacteria, which is why you get slight swelling, redness and pain after scratches/bites. Worst case scenario, it could be an internal abscess from an infection that's pressing against the lung or something like that. Best case scenario is just a narrow nasal cavity, my cat has that and she's got no issues with it, but makes a lot of weird sounds because of it (she has been seen by a vet about it).

I don't know if you have, but I suggest calling the vet and asking if they do have any experience with exotic animals - sometimes they have a lot, it's just not advertised as "their field".

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

My local vet sees mostly cats and dogs, so im a little hesitant to take a creature such as a leo due to inexperience. That's why I would rather find out if its something I can fix at home with a suggestion from people who are well experienced with leos and know what they are talking about.

Vets consult with other vets online and via phone. Fecals are easily done too. Some parasites and bacteria are universal. Then this mainly cat/dog vet will have the details to share with another vet so that the correct treatment can be given and appropriate meds prescribed.

 

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

What medications will a vet give me?

I believe my leo has a URI. What medication will the vet give me?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I believe my leo has a URI. What medication will the vet give me?

Don't know which medicine a vet would prescribe for Squirt.

Have you been able to buy a digital thermometer with a probe yet? Kevina and Squirt deserve good temperatures. Can't really "ballpark" that.

Chilly temps + misting could lead to an URI.

 

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

Squirt was prescribed an antibiotic for wheezing, and ill be taking Squirt and Kevina's stool sample back in a few days to see about parasites. Although she was helpful, the vet did handle Squirt very rough.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks for taking Squirt to the vet today. Good wishes for her recovery.

Keep us posted on the stool samples.

:idea:: Your action here will help motivate other GU gecko keepers to do the right thing.

 

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

trip #2 to the vet today, and got 3 weeks of medicine for each. They had worms, so squirt will be getting a syringe of wheezing meds every day for a week, and they will both get 1 syringe every week for 3 weeks.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

trip #2 to the vet today, and got 3 weeks of medicine for each. They had worms, so squirt will be getting a syringe of wheezing meds every day for a week, and they will both get 1 syringe every week for 3 weeks.

Sometimes medicines like those WILL affect their appetites temporarily. There's no alternative.

 

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

Sometimes medicines like those WILL affect their appetites temporarily. There's no alternative.

I thought so. Squirt wouldn't eat last night after coming home from the vet, and wouldn't eat this morning either. I hope they both eat sometime soon.

 

[Conched]

Thats great news.

So are you ready to get back to working on the husbandry issues ? It would be great if we can get the enclosure squared away. URI's are generally caused by improper husbandry practices. I suspect the misting may have caused the URI.

Have you managed to put together a proper moist hide yet ?

 

[KevinAndSquirtTheGeckos]

Thats great news.

So are you ready to get back to working on the husbandry issues ? It would be great if we can get the enclosure squared away. URI's are generally caused by improper husbandry practices. I suspect the misting may have caused the URI.

Have you managed to put together a proper moist hide yet ?

Ive been using a moist paper towel on the warm side of the enclosure, and I intended on buying a humidifier, but with the vet bills im all cleaned out of money. Im going to see if a friend will let me borrow the money so I can go ahead and purchase a humidifier. My leos don't want to eat while on medication, so im feeding them baby food with vitamin powder mixed in. (they love it) I have a syringe that measures in cc's, so how many cc's should each leo be getting per day? I read they have to eat daily if its baby food due to nutrition. They love it so much they wont tell me when to stop, so I need a guide line.