Yafe - Albino Carpet Progression Thread

[dakski]

I have a very positive report.

The preliminary culture on Yafe's lungs shows Gram-Negative rods, a type of bacteria that can be consistent with this type of symptoms and an RI. We will know more tomorrow or Wednesday (today is Monday) and know if he should stay on this antibiotic, or switch to another one. Either way, it sounds like taking him in to the vet and getting a culture done were the right move.


We took Yafe out tonight and gave him his injection. Both he, and Katie, did amazing. Even better than last time.


He had a little dried mucus around his mouth, but, again, it was dry. Additionally, no discharge from his nose today. He made no audible noises like wheezing, popping, etc.


Additionally, he seemed much more comfortable and made no odd movements. Last time he was out (3 days ago when home from the vet and got his injection), he would stretch out his neck and then suddenly and drastically and in jerky motions, move his head side to side several inches each way. He would even bang into my arm or hand. He did this the day before I took him to the vet as well. I am hoping that he was just super uncomfortable and that as he can breath better and the mucus disappears, he will continue not to show signs of that behavior.


Either raising temps and letting him be, the antibiotic, or a combination of the two, seems to be helping.


We saw his tongue out and about today for the first time as well. He had, what I describe as, "Happy Tongue." Slow and exploratory movements. Day 2 and 3 after he arrived, in addition to the popping, wheezing, and discharge, he would only stick his tongue out a few mm at best.


Overall, a very good report.


I will continue to keep everyone in the loop and advise on the culture when able. I want to be sure I should give another injection of the current med on Thursday evening, or pick up a new med if necessary.

I do want to write a little about the past two days. They have been a living hell for me and Katie. We have been so stressed out. We were so worried about Yafe! We didn't know what we would find when we took him out today to give the injection. He had been in his warm hide for the past two days and we had no idea how he was doing. We were so anxious he would be worse, dead, or dying, or still incredibly uncomfortable. Tonight was such a relief. Katie/SunshineWalker cried she was so relieved and I wasn't far behind her. To hear him breathing normally, and to see "normal" movements and not the flailing we saw the day before and the day we took him to the vet, was wonderful. Truly a blessing.

He did help us out a little because when we went to take him out, he had his little head peeking out of the hide entrance. What a relief!

We are not out of the woods yet, and he still needs 8 (at least - assuming correct antibiotic) more injections, and he is still on quarantine for another 90 days or so. However, things are definitely looking up.

Here is a link to a 36 second video of him immediately after the injection and right before he went back in his tank for the next 3 days. His movements look different to me than my ground dwellers (2 Corn snakes and 1 BP) and even my BCI. However, I've never had a carpet python, and he's very arboreal, and he seems in complete control of his movements. So unless someone else with Carpets sees anything out of the ordinary, I am calling today a win.


Video Link to Yafe with Happy Tongue after Injection

https://streamable.com/j7k2n