Whoo Hooo!!!
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Results of the vet check-up:
- Lungs are clear, RI symptoms not present
- Fecal exam clear of flagellates and/or any other parasite
- Weight up from 1540 kg to 1620 kg
- Still some pinkness, but absent all other signs - NO MORE MEDS!!!!!
- Two more weeks of dry dock to let her continue to convalesce, and rid those final signs of pinkness
- Return visit in 2 weeks with an anticipated clearance to go back to her tank, albeit at 80-82 degrees
- Last hurdle to cross: two weeks without meds and no relapse
Penelope is a Super Trooper!
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She has almost overcome a condition that is often fatal (please remember, sepsis is not an illness, it is a symptom of an underlying illness like pneumonia)
She has overcome a bacteria/parasite infestation that can cause urinary tract infection, intestinal problems and death.
And, she has overcome a serious case of pneumonia
Grand Total for 9 Weeks of Vet Care, Tests and Medication: $472
The price sounds scary, but a) those are California prices and b) that is for three months of ongoing care for a MAJOR illness. It would be much less for illness caught at the onset – more like $175 (first visit, all meds, and a follow-up).
General Check-up: $55 + $28 for Fecal Exam – Blood work is more ($171), but it is a nice-to-have –
So, in California regular health checks will run about $75 dollars every ¬two years - the recommended time between check-ups.
Plus there is pet insurance; I just don’t know how much it costs.
Vet’s Take on the Whole Thing:Considering the condition Penelope was in 9 weeks ago, she was extremely pleased. She attributed the steady rate of recovery to the consistent 80+ temperature (not the sole factor, but a very important one) and administering medication every single day.
Typically, when she is treating a turtle with a common ailment, but finds that the recovery waxes and wanes, there is a correlation between med administration and dry dock temperature. In particular:
1. Giving medication at random intervals (e.g., in the morning one day and late evening the next)
2. Failure to keep the dry dock habitat at 80 degrees ambient (not just under the basking light)
Let me say, she is a stickler for that 80 degree stuff (gradient 95). Day, night, under the light, in the far corners, the water soak temp…it doesn't matter.
80 or a bit higher like maybe 82 degrees (never lower) is the magic number
But the
MAJOR CAVEAT – if the guy or gal is experiencing an onset of a major illness (e.g., pneumonia or some off-the-wall problem) this little 80 degree home could become a great environment for bacteria growth – if you dry dock, keep your eyes peeled for signs of decline versus recovery.
Last Piece of Trivia for Today:I had the vet look over the ingredients of the Jell-O shots to see if they were OK for Penelope under the circumstances (I didn't use the calcium and I substituted kale with dandelions) – actually, the vet was a bit intrigued and made a copy of the recipe. So – they got big thumbs up!! I can keep offering them to Penelope to help increase her appetite (as long as I use dandelion, not kale) - of course she can't live off them forever.
If I use kale, she would like me to limit them to being a treat, only because of the oxalic acid.
And Now…
I’m off to the Habitat and Filter/Media page to get some cool ideas for a new basking area and tank set up
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Of course, I'll keep this thread going until she is in her tank once more...
