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probable hyperthyroidism in Petri :( |
| This is what our member has to say: So, since petri abandonned and resorbed her last eggs, she's been feeling better. However, she started a relapse into Metabolic Bone Disease, so I went ... |
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07-09-2006, 04:43 PM
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probable hyperthyroidism in Petri :(
So, since petri abandonned and resorbed her last eggs, she's been feeling better. However, she started a relapse into Metabolic Bone Disease, so I went back to daily feedings of calcium for the time being. She got better the night of, no big deal, and went on her merry way for that night. Since I've had problems with her, with every relapse (and then dosage) she is better for AT LEAST a week without any more calcium before symptoms return. However, the next day in this case she had gotten worse. So I gave her some more, which almost totally eliminated the symptoms. Then, 3 hours later, the symptoms returned in force, worse than they were before. I gave her a bit more medication. Today, which is the day after, she is hiding in the place she goes when she's totally stressed out.
I have racked my brain day in and out trying to figure out what's been done wrong; She gets UVB (even though Crested Geckos don't need it and she hates it), she gets D3, she gets calcium. I was reading up on HYPERcalcemia, which I don't think it is, when the suggestion of a genetic predisposition to Metabolic Bone Disease came up. Taking into account her stingy eating habits, overweight history and more-than-usual docile nature (all three of which she has had since day 1), I think she has Hyperthyroidism. It fits with everything that has been wrong with her over the years. She is roughly 3-4 years old.
I hope she can pull through. Any suggestions?
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07-09-2006, 04:47 PM
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Can you take her to a vet and have her blood tested? I've never heard of hyperthyroidism in a reptile, but I know that it is easy to diagnose with a blood test.
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07-09-2006, 05:21 PM
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Hyperthyroidism is well documented in all vertebrates, including humans; my cousin even has it.
All of her symptoms match, I've cross-referenced with a friend who has a herpetological background in university, who concurs on all accounts. I think that a vet check would just add stress to the already hard-luck gecko. I'm doing all I can, but her condition is worsening exponentially. I'll post more as it comes.
Edit: I just called all the vets in town, nobody in the Edmonton area will touch this kind of thing. They will "look at" reptiles, charge me an arm and a leg, then tell me what I should do for Metabolic Bone Disease...they don't do tests for other underlying conditions. There's one in Calgary that does mostly birds and some reptiles, but I have no way of getting down there and that trip would be tremendously stressful and probably do more damage than good.
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07-09-2006, 08:54 PM
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Good luck with your crestie, and I hope she gets better for you!
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07-10-2006, 02:00 AM
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So after about 2 hours of research, an educated friend and I came to these conclusions:
1. It's not Hypercalcemia, as she has tetany and hypercalcemia doesn't cause tetany. Ergo, it's hypocalcemia.
2. It has to be a long-term underlying cause, as no matter how much calcium is given to her the results are only temporary (ie. a full dosage which should last at least 48 hours of relief of tetany lasts only 2 hours at times).
3. According to medical sites, Hyperthyroidism "leads directly to bone diseases of a metabolix nature". Sounds like the culprit, especially when the weight problems early in life are considered with the lazyness of her life.
4. I've done everything in my power and I've done it correctly to this point. That's a load off my mind, but that won't stop my diligence.
I'm fighting it, hardcore, giving her water, food and medication all by syringe, which she is obligingly easygoing with. Just having her out today (I put my hand in the cage and she struggled to get on it) she actually improved 2 fold. I think this is something I will be able to fight with her!
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07-10-2006, 02:03 AM
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I wish you the best of luck with her! And Im sorry to hear abotu this. Im impressed with you tho that youre gonna keep fighting for her, most people would just give up and for that Ive got major respect for you! Youll have to keep us updated 
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07-10-2006, 02:46 AM
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I spent 2.5 hours with her. She's now rehydrated and has her motor control back. The tremors are far less, her tail strength is returning. In then next 30-60 minutes I will give her some food then send her on her way in her cage as I have to work very early tomorrow morning.
She's so ridiculously tough through all this. What an inspiration!
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07-10-2006, 01:34 PM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Paleontology!
She's so ridiculously tough through all this. What an inspiration!
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 most of them are!! Im glad shes doing better for the time being!
And great job with her!
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07-10-2006, 08:05 PM
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When I came home, I noticed her sitting mostly in her water dish, even though there is a violent rainstorm now and the humidity is way up.
With the calcium and other suppliments last night she almost got rid of the tetanus. This morning, it was back. I went to work, cause I had to leave her be for a bit, then came back to find her in the water dish. I touched her, it surprised her (she's out of it a bit) and she tried to bite me. In the ensuing seizure, which ended in total musculature failure, I thought she was dead. I moved her head out of the waterdish, cause it had fallen in there in the seizure. I noticed her back legs didn't move during the seizure. Then, I came back in a few minutes later to see her up and walking. I took her out to give some hydration, ease that part of the pain. She has enough in her to spit out the meds and squirm around awkwardly! She even still has tail strength, despite further bone softening as indicated by the widening of the hips. I won't euthanize until she is either paralyzed somewhere OR she just stops running around like an idiot.
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07-11-2006, 12:39 AM
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Haha, sounds fair..shes quite he trooper!
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