shinyx2:I thought I would post my recent experience with my leo turd, Pea, with the hope it may bene
shinyx2:I thought I would post my recent experience with my leo turd, Pea, with the hope it may benefit novice owners.Basically, if you notice a significant change from normal, see a vet. Especially if develops quickly. The vet will not only look at the specific issue, but will give the animal a general overall exam.I had temporarily relocated Pea from her 20g tank to a shoebox because my deck was being resurfaced and I wanted her away from fumes. This may have been stressful for the turd and she might have been rubbing her nose against the unfamiliar hide.A couple of days later I noticed some crusting and swelling around her right nares (nostril). Upon closer exam, I noticed the left area was slightly swollen as well. No discharge was present. I aggressively scrubbed the nose and was able to remove a plug with stringy material. Because of the swelling, I was really worried an abscess had formed. Of course, this happens on a Friday night.I’m lucky to have access to an exotic vet in the Seattle area, Dr. Kamaka, who is open on Saturday and who will see patients who don’t have an appointment if they can be dropped off and she’ll see the patient in between scheduled patients (extra $20 charge for this service).Well, Dr. Kamaka agreed that the nares could use some topical antibiotics. But she had also noted that Pea’s saliva was thick and stringy which could indicate a lung infection. With that, Pea also will be getting oral antibiotics. The whole ordeal cost a little over $100, which included an emergency visit and antibiotics and the diagnosis of an unexpected lung infection which would have gone unnoticed. Totally worth it.For over a year, I’ve had to force-feed roaches to Pea because she will not eat independently. I’ve let her go for a month with out eating on her own, hoping her appetite would kick in. Took her to Dr. Kamaka to make sure nothing was wrong (fecal negative). Now I wonder if she’s had a subclinical infection going on all this time affecting her appetite. Well, probably not for a whole year but I’m hoping her appetite might return once she feels better.Oh yeah, on her intake form I accidently wrote her name as “Pee”. Seems about right. -- source link