Yafe - Albino Carpet Progression Thread

[dakski]

I have very good news.

I did take Yafe to my vet this morning (late morning). We got home a little while ago and overall, Katie and I are feeling significantly better.

My vet said there is no need to nebulize now, and that the current antibiotic is the one she would have put him on. She said keep up the injections and update if he doesn't eat in the next week (which she thinks he will) and if things are not 100% after the last injection.

For what's worth, Zina10, I think your theory about congestion breaking up, etc. was a great one. He was 50% better today than 2 days ago. Almost back to where he was after injection #2. We saw tongue flicks and he did fantastic at the vet. She said he's a total sweetheart and very calm, especially for the species and age.

My vet seemed to think currently, the RI was about a 2 or 3 out of 10. It might have been an 8 when I brought him to Tufts (and a 4 or 5 the other day), but she is feeling very good about where he is at after injection #4. She says she sees a lot of RI's and fears for those animals. Usually caused by bad husbandry and continued poor husbandry keeps the animals from getting better more often than you would want to think. She's known me for years and we are on a first name basis. She said she was worried by my description yesterday, but was so relieved when she saw Yafe today. She says I haven't seen a terrible RI before, and she's not surprised, with my husbandry and the care I give all my reptiles.

Two things to address here.

1. I am not tooting my own horn about husbandry, etc. I do take pride in how I care for my animals, but the point is not that I am a great reptile Dad. The point is that others should learn from this. Proper husbandry + cleanliness = healthy animals a significant amount of the time. Poor husbandry + inadequate care = unhealthy or worse animals.

2. Should I have taken Yafe to the vet today? Especially with what I know now?

The simple answer is, "yes." Unequivocally, I have zero regrets, despite the 4 hours in the car (at 78F - man, Katie and I were sweating), and the cost of the vet today.

If he got worse and I hadn't taken him, I would not be able to live with myself.

If I wasted some time and money, but know he's on the right track and has a great prognosis, so be it. I'll have 20+ years to amortize those costs out with a healthy and happy Yafe.

That, my BP.net buddies, is priceless.

I'll keep updating, but assume he will continue to improve.

I plan to offer food Thursday night after his injection tomorrow night. That gives him two days to digest before he needs another injection. I plan to offer a small meal, but want to see if he will eat. Either way, I'll advise, and offer in about another week, whether he takes a mouse Thursday or not.

Again, thank you all for the support. It is much appreciated. I am incredibly happy to share good news today and hope you all continue to watch Yafe not only get healed, but grow into a happy and healthy Carpet. As those of you who know me can attest; I will continue to update for his life!