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I have seldom had a patient
"tell me where it hurts."
This challenge is one
reason veterinary medicine is so fascinating. It is also
the main reason diagnostics can be so important in
veterinary medicine. This is especially important with
some of the less-than-mainstream species that some
people choose as pets, including Lou the bearded dragon
lizard.
Five-year-old Lou has
decided he does not want to eat. Brandon says this is
highly unusual because Lou eats every chance he gets.
Apparently, for about 10 days, Lou has not touched
anything Brandon has offered.
That is all the
information I have, so it appears I am going to have to
consult my crystal ball. To be fair to Brandon, this is
the most common presentation for a reptile patient. When
they are having health issues, they generally do not
eat.
This could be the result
of a simple problem like a sore mouth or something more
complex like terminal cancer.
Therefore, we start with
the symptom of anorexia and look to a virtually
unlimited list of disease possibilities.
Brandon, obviously, will
need to bring Lou to his veterinarian for evaluation. I
will share with you what I generally do when presented
with an anorexic reptile patient, but realize what I
offer may or may not apply to Lou.
Physical examination is
an important first step, and can lead to the diagnostics
necessary to try to uncover Lou's problem. Again, with
no clues in this particular case, I will be a bit more
generalized.
I recommend Lou have some
radiographs taken to "look inside" his little
body and a blood panel drawn to check organ system
functions. A fecal examination for parasites is also
warranted.
These steps will provide
a good overview of what might be going on with Lou and
help direct us to the next step.
As I mentioned above,
Lou's recovery should begin with a trip to his
veterinarian.
———
(Jeff Kahler is a
veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be
submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto
Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.)
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