Kidney infection??

[Lennox]

Hi all.
I have a Beardie, Lennox (nearly 2 yrs old) who has been off his food and quite tired for over a week now. I origianlly put this down to him shedding but after his skin shed, its still the same case.  His poo was a bit mucus-ey so I took him to the vets today who checked him (and his poop) over, and asked me all about his housing, diet etc and it all seemed fine.
Anyway they kept him in for blood tests and they rang me saying his calcium levels are high and something about acid levels also high.  Said could be possible kidney infection so theyre gonna send off more results to a lab to look into it more to see why the levels are high.
I use vitamin supp and calcium, although not religiously. However I did when he was a baby.

I've been in tears tonight, absolutely heartbroken, as I feel like I must have been doing something wrong but I just dont know what! I just thought he might have parasites or something non-serious because he hasnt seemed too ill.
Does anyone know what these high levels mean and is he really poorly??

Theyre gonna give him an injection on antibiotics tomorrow then I can go pick him up. Vet said that this will start to work on his kidney infection, if that is what hes got.

Please help!
Thanx
Leanne

[perfectly_flawed]

A couple quick questions. How often are you giving calcium, and what brand/rating/type is the UVB light? How often do you soak him?

[Lennox]

Well as a baby we gave it him every day except Sunday which we gave vitamin. But now I tend to do it about once a week as he's not keen on it, but sometimes he won't have it at all so it's not like I could have been giving him too much, if anything I thought maybe I wasnt giving him enough!
 The brand of calcium is Zoo Med- Repti calcium and the mixed vitamin is Euro Rep - Repton.

The UVB light is a repti sun 10.0 which we ordered specially after hearing that these were ok.
We soak him usually about every 2 days, but while he's been off his food I've been doing it every day to keep him hydrated. 

What causes high levels of calcium in beardies? Is it just the calcium supplement alone?

Thanks

[Lennox]

Just been and got Len from the vets! 
He seems ok just a bit wary. Got to go back to the vets in 3 days for another antibiotics injection, and also to pick up lab results from blood test.
I'm so glad he's home.  Just not so glad about vets bill but he's so worth it xx

[ladyknite]

Can I ask what the antibiotic is and what exactly it's for?

kidney infections are unusual in reptiles.  Abnormal phos, protein, and AST results can be caused by ruptured cell membranes in the blood when the sample is taken.  A rise in AST can show the effect of kidney malfunction or distress when the body is somewhat dehydrated also.  So it's not necessarily a problem within the animal, but a problem within the sample.

Stress, as well as autoimmune issues can also cause the cells to rupture.

[Lennox]

Sorry Im unsure what AST is?

I've just checked his bill and it says Dispense FORTUM injection 500mg.

I'm not sure exactly what is wrong with him. All I know is that they said his calcium levels were high from the original blood test and his phos acid levels were also high. I asked what causes this and they said theyd have to send further tests off to find out, which they have done today.
They went onto say that in some cases where calcium levels are high that is could be related to a kidney infection.

I've tried him with some food again since he's been home and he's still not really intersted. He seems quite sleepy too which Im guessing is down to the antibiotics and probably all the stress of the vets.

Thanks for your help.

[ladyknite]

AST is an enzyme found in the heart, liver and skelatal system.

Treatment is concerning without just cause, considering at the beginning of slight (not deep) brumation cycles, many dragons have high calcium stores and potty habits are a bit different.


Be careful with him..........take no one's word for gospel.  Before you let them give him something else,........have them give you a cause.

[Lennox]

Ok thanks for your advice. Im no vet so I trusted them n just wanted my baby to get better.
We'll see what the results say on Friday.

Im extra worried now!! Eeek!

I really hope he's ok.

[ladyknite]

I didn't mean to worry you.  only wanted to make sure you were fully informed.

his symptoms sound much like brumation to me.  he's only 2 so he's entitled to an "off" time.

[Lennox]

Well thanks for your advice. I'm just a little confused 

I'll keep you posted