G'day all, just thought I'd throw up another quick post regarding Foxy. Only 2 more sleeps 'till I get to cuddle her again! Woohoo!!! (And my missus of course
). I never thought I'd be seeing Foxy alive again when I left home 2 Thursdays ago... Before I go on, I'd like to publicly thank my partner for her incredible patience, resolve, effort and commitment in keeping Foxy alive against all the odds - I have simply been a scribe with this thread; my partner deserves all the credit for all the work - and those who offered such valuable and effective advice deserve the credit for extending her life. Shellfisch, you hit the nail on the head when you said it's been an emotional rollercoaster - every day is a different peak emotion; one day I'll be elated that she's eaten, others will be utter despair when I hear she hasn't moved her head for 2 or 3 days. I'd hate to do this for a living - I'd be a wreck!!!
Now to Foxy...
A little bit of good news, but nothing to get excited about. She ate another cricket this morning; doesn't sound like much (and it isn't), but she's sort of averaging 1 cricket a day now. This is an average mind you - she might go three days of eating nothing and then eat 2 or 3 crickets on one day, and then go back to a lethargic semi-coma on her log for another few days (hence the emotional rollercoaster). She's still well hydrated and actually seems to enjoy drinking that calcium water we mixed up for her. As for non-live food, she detests it all, and does her best to avoid it when it's offered, even by 'smear' method. When I get home on Thursday, I will be able to assist with the feeding, and hopefully between my partner and I, we will be able to get some of that Herpaboost and other home-made food pastes into her. We just need to get something, anything, into that tiny little tummy of hers, which may trigger an appetite response.
My partner also said that she was having a 'better' day today; a bit more alert, and enjoying the sunlight during her outdoor basking time.
Seriously guys, I just don't know what's wrong with her; why won't she just eat like a normal lizard, like her sister, who is belting down at least a dozen insects plus veg every day? I just don't get it, and we feel so helpless...
But we will keep trying. Foxy has shown us that she is a true fighter by staying alive to see me again (I'd
love to think that was the truth!), and by the heavens above, we'll be beside her every step of her fragile life, whichever direction it might take. I can't thank you all enough for the help, lovely comments, PM's, and even generous offers of syringes-full of Herpaboost 'till we track down a bottle of our own (you're a true legend for that offer Andie).
Bretsta, I will be sure to post some updated pics of Foxy (and Ruby, her healthy sister) as soon as I get home. I can't wait to see her again!!! My darling little Foxy... OUR darling little Foxy, hey! I think she might just belong to everyone here now, hehe.
All the very best with all of your own animals, and sorry for such a long-winded post. Next update will be Thursday some time...
Cheers,
Nic
ps.Squishi, I pass on my sincere condolences for your little lost one... that must've been awful watching her trying to eat like that. Fortunately for Foxy, I don't think this is her ailment for two reasons - firstly, when she DOES eat, she's a great little hunter with excellent aim, and secondly, I would've hoped the vet we initially took her to would have been able to notice something obvious like that (emphasising the word 'hoped', mind you). But thank you for sharing your experience, upsetting as it must have been.