Bad news -- Darling

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kristymac
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Bad news -- Darling

Postby kristymac » Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:48 pm

About 1 to 1 1/2 weeks ago, I was holding Darling on my chest with one hand while I opened her tank with the other. She crawled up to my shoulder and started crawling down my back. I didn't manage to catch her and she fell to the floor. Carpeted, but thin.

She seemed fine and continued to eat, sleep, and walk well. Then several days ago, I noticed a lump on her back. My first thought was that it looked sort of like the MBD pictures I have seen. I didn't see how she could have that though as she gets the same care as Harley did and he is fine. Plus, she's less than two months old......I think it takes longer for that to develop.

Then, about 1 1/2 days after the lump developed, (now the 12th), she stopped using her back legs as much. By the 13th, she stopped using them completely. I got an emergency visit to the reptile vet Tuesday morning. X-rays were taken and Darling was diagnosed with a broken back. I asked the vet....'You definitely think it was broken and you definitely think it would be from the fall?' Since there were no other incidents, she said yes on both counts.

Our hope is that the swelling is because of spinal cord swelling as opposed to the bump being vertebrae related. If in fact it is the spinal cord, then the steroid prescription I got should take the swelling down. However, according to the vet, she will never be 100% the same. I will need to watch for belly abrasions since she will likely always drag a little. The hopeful signs that this may be the case are that the lump developed many days after the fall and that she can still feel pain in her feet. (The vet squeezed them) The bad sign is that the vet thinks the x-ray shows a bony lump as opposed to a soft-tissue lump. Bony would indicate the vertebrae and soft tissue would indicate the spinal cord, of course. Again, what we want is spinal cord swelling to be the cause of the lump.

Below is a whole body shot:
Image
Below is the medication she is getting daily: (No, I don't store it there)
Image
Below is a close-up of her back:
Image
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bluecheezytree
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Postby bluecheezytree » Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:57 pm

:upset: :cry: :cry2: that's soooo sad!! i hope she gets better soon!! :pray:
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Hijinks
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Postby Hijinks » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:26 pm

Thank you for posting your story and pictures. It will help the rest of us to learn. I know that resilient little baby will be loved and get the best of care no matter what happens. Please let us know how she progresses! She will be in my thoughts.
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Postby Funda » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:49 pm

Awww pooor darling :cry:
Hope she gets well!!

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Postby SailleSkinklover » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:06 pm

Awwww, no! Poor Darling. The good news is, my vet says that these guys recover pretty darned well from trauma. Mine has a crushed spine, his tail has been broken in 4 places, and he has had ribs broken (old injuries) we think a dog or something may have gotten him and given a good strong shake. Somehow, my Bluey survived all that, and parasites, and you'd never know that there was had been anything wrong, if it weren't for the dent in his back and his kinky tail! So I'm sending all the good healing energies Darling's way that she'll prove to be another "tough as nails" Skinkie, and recover really well. The other good news my vet said, is, "if you don't tell them, they don't know they're handicapped!"
Get well soon, Darling!! :hug:
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Postby boonaen » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:31 pm

oh, my... i am so sorry for you and darling. best wishes!
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LittleFoot
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Postby LittleFoot » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:53 pm

I hope she gets better soon
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aggiegirl
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oh, I'm so sorry!

Postby aggiegirl » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:57 pm

Oh, I am so sorry! They are so quick and I have been in exactly the same position---trying to open the lid and juggle my bluey. I hope the steroids help. Please keep us updated. I know how much you love your little guys. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Darling.
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Postby mom22wins » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:16 pm

The good news is, my vet says that these guys recover pretty darned well from trauma. Mine has a crushed spine, his tail has been broken in 4 places, and he has had ribs broken (old injuries) we think a dog or something may have gotten him and given a good strong shake. Somehow, my Bluey survived all that, and parasites, and you'd never know that there was had been anything wrong, if it weren't for the dent in his back and his kinky tail! So
This quote makes me (and I hope you) feel so much better about her back trauma. Everyone always says how tough these blueys are. And isn't there someone on here with a bluey that once had his head and jaw crushed and he's fine now? :chin:

I know it must have been hard for you to write this thread and I commend you for wanting to help others. :thumbs:

Just keep your head up and I'll keep you and your baby in my prayers for a quick recovery. :shurg:

Take care,

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Zach
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Postby Zach » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:34 pm

Hi, Kristen :hug:


It's funny the vet mentions belly abrasions when almost all BTS drag their bellies anyway... :hehe: ;)

Like you said, it's a great sign that this occured gradually instead of instantly -- hopefully, it will decrease gradually too.

Hang in there :hug:

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kristymac
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Postby kristymac » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:42 pm

Zach wrote:Hi, Kristen :hug:
It's funny the vet mentions belly abrasions when almost all BTS drag their bellies anyway... :hehe: ;)
Hang in there :hug:


Yes, she knows how BTS normally walk. She was just saying that the belly may be drug more than usual and it is something I should keep an eye on.
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Zach
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Postby Zach » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:44 pm

I know, I'm just trying to lighten the mood... :cry2:

I think everything will turn out good -- in the meantime, we are all here for you.

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Postby Dragontears » Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:46 pm

:hug: I'm sorry to hear you've been through so much bluey trama lately! Here's praying that Darling makes as full a recovery as physically possible :pray:
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mewzic-7123
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Postby mewzic-7123 » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:47 pm

im so sorry for darling, hopefully recovery is on its way
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Postby MartinsPerson » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:03 pm

oooooohhhh noo!! Poor Darling! My thoughts are with both of you. Thank you for taking such good care of her.
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Postby Dex » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:25 pm

Healing wishes sent for Darling, you and Darling are in my prayers :hug:
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Drew
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Postby Drew » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:50 pm

ALL our prayers are with you.. hope she gets better soon.
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Postby KyleWeiss » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:51 pm

Good luck with Darling. :) Rollie has his moments, the one time out of 10 when suddenly he's not afraid of high places and it scares the crud out of me.

Back injuries that swell will many times cut off nerve impulses until the swelling goes down, provided there isn't further trauma.

If you need examples of skinks that recover well, talk to Ian (DeadEye). he has rehabilitation superpowers. :)

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Leigh
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Postby Leigh » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:07 am

This was a bit sad to read, but you've got the vet involved and an indication of some recovery, here's hopeing for a full one, best of British luck for the pair of you
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DixieDiana
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Postby DixieDiana » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:35 am

So sorry to hear that Darling is having a rough time. Hopefully it turns out to be due to swelling and she will be much better soon. :hug:
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