[flyingsquid]

I just noticed a while ago that one of my boys has been acting really out of the norm, he's really lethargic and I have no doubt that something is up. I have a really good vet that will take a look at him, but they're closed ti'll Monday... so I'm hoping I can get some feedback from you guys to help me out here.

I noticed some of that red mucus on his nose today (sorry, I forget what it's called), some sneezing - but not alot. His lethargy is what worries me. He's usually one of the more active ones, today he just sleeps. I'm worried it's Myco, but I don't know how fast it progresses and if there's anything that I can do until Monday. I gave him a piece of a chewable pro-biotic tab, which he woofed down. I also gave him some echinacea and goldenseal to bust up his immune system - just to kind of aid him a bit until I can get him to the vet.

I had taken him and his two brothers to the vet some 8 months ago or so, due to sneezing - the vet said they where fine, but put them on preventative antibiotic (which was really harsh on their little systems). Since then I had seen no alarming problems - until this.

I'm mostly scared he won't hold off ti'll monday - does Myco take over that fast????? what else can I do?

p.s. he just ate a grape with very much gusto... I'm hoping that's a good sign??

 

[Sparker]

The fact that he is eating is a good sign... but the lethargy is scary. Myco, in my experience, can cause those symptoms, but the sneezing and the porphyrin will get worse along with it.

Is there an ER that you can take him to? Call around...

Also, is it hot in his cage area? Try cooling him down if it is...

Keep an eye to be sure he keeps eating.

 

[lilspaz68]

Is he just quieter than normal? Is it a lot of porphyrin or just more than there should be? Does he have laboured breathing, rapid breathing, eyes half closed, puffed up fur and hunched posture? Is he eating and drinking fine?

 

[flyingsquid]

Taking Duncan to an ER would just be to costly for me - not that his life and health aren't worth it - I just simply don't have the kind of money for an ER treatment.

Today he is looking alot more cheerful - although not quite himself. He is eating and drinking just fine. He is easily aroused from his "nap" just by the smell of food. Him and his brothers just gorged down a little plate full of berries and yogurt... I watched them eat, so I'm more than sure he got his share. I haven't seen much more porphyrin, but I did notice some dried red coloring on his front paws (mostly on the top side of the paw, not on the inside paw)... I freaked out at first thinking it was blood... but he has no visible wounds. My guess is that he's sneezing while he's laying on his paws, and most of the porphyrin just dried up there. His snout is clean, but he could be keeping himself clean.

I did notice one of his brother, Black Jack, has got an ugly gurgling sound in his breathing and, oddly enough has been sneezing a bit more than Duncan (who barely is) - this scares me even further. I have no doubt it has spread and that at this point they all have it.

They will ALL go to the vet tomorrow a.s.a.p. - which means as soon as they will take me without an appointment.


lilspaz68 - to answer your questions: the porphyrin isn't alot, but I'm worried that he might be cleaning it off before I see it... I have to work and run errands throughout my day, so I can't spend the day watching over him. I would dare say that I've noticed he has more than usual... "usual" for any of them, is hardly any - so you can see my concern. His breathing seems normal, and his fur and posture seems just fine... well, minus the lack of activity. He just seems to only want to just sleep (weather its curled up or sprawled out). I did notice yesterday he kept his eyes mostly half opened.... and he shivered alot... or at least it seemed to me like he was shivering often. I might have been over reading the shivering, it's hard to tell after I get all worried because it seems like I'm looking for so many signs that I might be reading things wrong.

I'm glad to say that today he seems more alert. His eyes seems just a tad more on the open side and his lethargy is less pronounced. I have no doubt that all the immune busters I immediately started to administer are helping greatly.

 

[Sparker]

How did it go?

 

[flyingsquid]

Sparker, sorry for the late reply... it's hard to catch up when life's happening around you.

The boys are doing really good. Duncan lethargy was quickly replaced by his good ol' energy, Black Jack's gurgly sneeze is almost gone, and Cowboy... well, he never showed signs of sickness.

I know this is going to raise a few eyebrows, and I have no doubt some of you will disagree with my actions ... but, I never did take my boys to the vet. What I did do, is treat them how I treat every other member of my household (including myself)... with alternative medicines, such as herbal tinctures and homeopaths.

Now, I'll share with you all what I have been administering - but be advised, I am NOT a health professional, nor am I suggesting that this is a clear substitute from your well trained veterinary doctor. I have had the luck of working at my local health food store for two years now, where I've learned a wealth of information... and where I also have access to well researched and documented books, as well as trained health professionals.

That having been said, here is a list of the herbal tinctures I used:

1. Echinacea - Immune system modulator (booster). It also stimulates healthy growth of connective tissue and speeds healing of damaged tissue.

2. Goldenseal - Antibacterial and antifungal.

3. Grindelia - Respiratory stimulant and expectorant. Anti-inflamatory and mild diuretic.

Dose: one drop of each, three times a day. Echinacea and Goldenseal with loose their potency if used on a regular basis - so administer for two weeks, rest for one, then re-administer for two more weeks.

I also added a good source of Priobiotics to their daily diet, as well as a broader range of berries for their anti-oxidant properties. These will continue to be administered all through their lives.


My boys have responded very well to these herbal remedies. I have kept, and will continue to keep a very close eye on them and their health - if I seen any indication that their health is not progressing, or if it might be changing to the worse I will, without a doubt, take them to their vet.