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Post by Merlin on Nov 1, 2004 16:58:15 GMT -8
Sounds GREAT! I understand your concern but optimism is what keeps us going in times like this! Keeping my fingers crossed!
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 1, 2004 19:02:00 GMT -8
Thanks, Merlin. Time will tell. I have my optimism, yet....do I dare? But fingers are crossed too. Thanks for your note. In Light and Love.
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Post by EsotericComposer on Nov 1, 2004 19:52:59 GMT -8
Sounds great. I wish it all the best of luck. But keep the faith and ALWAYS HOPE FOR THE BEST!
Glad things are slowly improving. Sounds like Willie is being a good boy.
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Nanshe
Senior
I am owned by Elvis & Angel :)
Posts: 167
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Post by Nanshe on Nov 2, 2004 15:01:10 GMT -8
From the looks of the pics on the other thread you posted, Willie is growing and looking very good! I think the advances he's making on eating are wonderful - I'm so glad he's finally beginning to get back to the "old routine" Keep up the awesome work Nancy - you're so good to him ~Nan
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 2, 2004 16:45:09 GMT -8
Thanks, NanShe, There's been one thing after another for the poor little guy and I've been sincerely wondering about my husbandry skills. He has my total heart, but often love isn't enough. Anyway, now...I can't wait to tell you..I weighed him after what you said about him looking a little heartier...In the vet's office on 10/16 he weighed about 1 1/2 pounds. tail and all. Just now he weighed 1.4 pounds no tail !!!!! I'm thrilled! I held him for a long time after the weighing and he covered my face and lips with kisses. Like he had been missing me. Thank you so much for your observations and suggestions. I'm such a novice with Willie still and a few words from someone who knows helps A LOT!!!
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 4, 2004 17:40:47 GMT -8
Okay, here's the latest. Willie is eating pretty well every other day. On the odd day he may not eat anything. Not great. His vet asked if he was effected by distraction. I said YES! He said because eating is not a priority for Will now, it would be best to remove all distractions. I'm putting up some room divider screens so that he wont be able to see me or the dogs while he eats.
Since 10/13 Will has gone from 680 mgs to 710 mgs. At least he's not losing weight, but his growth is very slow.
As much as I like this vet, I had to ask him questions to stimulate his thinking, diagnosis and treatments. He had blown off some of the out-of-normal range numbers on Willies' last blood test. Precisely, some of them indicated an ongoing infection or inflammation of his liver. I haven't been treating him for either. So he sold me some more Baytril (which I asked for) to treat in case there is an infection and I'll continue with Dandelion Root in case his liver is inflammed. If I hadn't questioned him on these numbers this would all have gone untreated. He said Will had lost alot of weight but when I checked his notes I saw that he recorded the wrong weight when Will was there last. Whew! I was very glad to notice this error which was verified by calling his previous vet. Willie has only gained about 30 mgs since October. But he's totally eating on his own now. Progress is slow, but we're making it. And he loves me again. Thank goodness.
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Post by Tesa on Nov 5, 2004 5:50:32 GMT -8
Hey Nance I'm still thinking that poor little snout of his could have alot to do with him not eating well. Seems like it would be painful. Sounds like Willie is improving steadily. Keep up the faith. I know you two will get this situation under control soon.
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Post by prism_wolf on Nov 5, 2004 17:48:38 GMT -8
Don't you EVER believe that!! It's because of your skills he is getting through this!! It is through your skills you had jogged this vets memory and questioned things that were relevent. And it is CERTAINLY your love to care enough to learn the skills needed for his special care!
You're doing an awesome job!
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Post by Merlin on Nov 6, 2004 8:44:29 GMT -8
I agree! YOU have absolutely nothing to doubt yourself over! You're doing a wonderful job with him! He's darn lucky to have you! Iguanas are NOT the easiest critter in the world to care for.
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 6, 2004 11:14:56 GMT -8
Tesa, Prism and Merlin..thanks for your votes of confidence. I think it's true that the tear on his lip hurt him to eat. Where the vet snipped the flap off is healing very well. But, maybe it still hurts a bit. I'm glad I could jog Will's vet's memory, too, Prism. The nice thing about this vet is that he has no ego involved in his treatment. He was fine with my questions, observations and suggestions. The scary thing is..why didn't he catch those things apparent in Will's last blood panel ? This is a good place to acknowedge all I have learned about ig care on this site. Thank you, Tesa, for giving me and the rest of us this wonderful resource. I go into the vet's office with confidence now and pretty much partner with him, which he welcomes, in bringing Will back to health I also want to thank everyone who posts to me with suggestions, information and support. Recovery is very slow, but I'm confident one day Willie will be vigorous, eating with gusto and feeling his old self again.
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 16, 2004 14:07:31 GMT -8
While I was away, Willie began to eat much better for my husband, Ed. And he's drinking alot of water. Big wet poops and lots of urine. I don't see much, if any, urates. But I'm not going to worry about that now. We feed him in his basking area and he dives into his food. It's still not alot, maybe 1 1/2 collard green/day, sweetened with watermelon and watermelon juice. Sean, you passed along this tip from Prism and it was the beginning of the end of Will's 'hunger strike.' Thank you very much!! He laps up water like a kitten, but from my research I understand that is very normal for some igs. Willie has rounded out nicely again, no more caved in belly. Whew! That was so scary to look at. Knock on wood! I think this will last. I'm getting a new blood profile done next week. I know he'll weigh more!
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Post by EsotericComposer on Nov 16, 2004 20:02:17 GMT -8
Sounds like GREAT news. YAY!
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Post by OneCrazyCleric on Nov 17, 2004 9:52:59 GMT -8
And the world regains yet another all-devouring (*knocks on wood*) Ig! Congratulations. =)
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Nanshe
Senior
I am owned by Elvis & Angel :)
Posts: 167
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Post by Nanshe on Nov 17, 2004 15:57:09 GMT -8
Oh Nancy! That is such wonderful news!!!
I am just so amazed and impressed with the tenacity, care and compassion you attacked Wills problems. You are truly an awesome Ig Mom!!!
Give ole Wills a kisser for me!
~Nan
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Post by WillemsMom on Nov 18, 2004 11:07:04 GMT -8
Thanks, my friends, it's still looking good. I've added turnip greens and endive to his plate. He's eating small amounts, though and is very easily distracted. I may have to go back to just collard greens, but he's going to make it. I decided against putting him in a bath as it seemed to stress him. This morning I wanted to try again, so I popped him in. He pooped and I took him out right away. After his bath is usually our cuddle time, so I tried to cuddle a little with him this morning and he fell right into our old routine. It's a slow go, but he is definitely getting better. Here's my big guy today. Hooray!!!
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