Yafe - Albino Carpet Progression Thread

[dakski]

Yafe is home and diagnosed with a bacterial RI, but we will know 100% when the culture comes back in 5-7 days.

In the meantime, he is to get 10 doses of Ceftazidime, 2.4ml, inter muscular injection, over the next 30 days. One every three days. He had his first tonight, with me holding him and Katie administering the injection. Katie did great and so did Yafe.

I am confident we will get him back on track ASAP. No food, no (unnecessary) handling, etc. until he is better. I can offer food in 2 weeks, or sooner, if he's feeling better. However, regardless, he gets the medicine for 30 days unless the culture shows he needs a different antibiotic or an anti-fungal instead, or in addition to.

He is also staying on strict quarantine, as he was, for the next 90 days, as planned. He is handled, injected, fed, etc. last and has his own hook, tongs, hides, etc. There is no interaction between him, or his tools, with any other animal in the house. As before. Additionally, clothes will be changed if for some reason, another animal needs to be handled/touched, etc. after exposure to Yafe.

The vet clarified a few things.

1. She said he could have gotten sick from the stressful trip. However, she was upset he was shipped without a heat pack and that there was a delay. Both likely contributed. She is open to the idea he was not well when shipped, but is not convinced that was the case and has no way to prove it, so no pointing fingers.

2. She unequivocally said, NOTHING I DID CAUSED THIS. I described when the symptoms came on and how fast and what I had done RE handling, etc. She says I am 100% not to blame. She thinks it's good I brought him in when I did.

The only other things bothering me is the flailing around and sudden and jerky movements from him. After the shot, I went to move him back to his tank and he exhibited this behavior again. He did not do it on day one. He did on days 2 and 3 and I attributed it to him being very uncomfortable. I know Carpet's can have neurological issues, but usually it's the Jaguars. He supposedly had no issues of that type. I am assuming it will clear up as he feels better, but I am anxious about that.


Finally,

I appreciate everyone's support here. I am aware of the "hindsight" comments posted here (not pointing fingers, but addressing what Phillydubs was trying to combat). I think they serve a purpose for other keepers and for another perspective on a go forward basis. I do not take offense and think people were worried and doing their best to be helpful (I've known many of you for a long time now and understand your good intentions; your track records speak for themselves). I have kept reptiles for over 20 years and this was exceptionally worrisome. Everyone I know jokes about how meticulous I am with temps, humidity, cleanliness, etc. I don't know how else to keep reptiles and having one get that sick, that fast, scared me. Think of this from my perspective, being a caring reptile owner, and not wanting to see an animal suffer, or get worse.

For what's worth, I have zero regrets, even I get stuck with the bill. If Yafe recovers and is a happy, healthy, snake for a long time and has a great life with me and Katie, I will be incredibly happy with how this situation was handled.

I would also appreciate the recognition that I am big contributor on this site and a) do my best to help all keepers in need and b) still ask questions after years of reptile keeping because there is always more to learn/know.