So, I recently acquired a rescue (made a few posts about him) in very bad shape. I've been doing my best to help, but I believe he is starting to go downhill, and I'm having a hard time with it. I'm so angry and sad that someone could let an animal get so malnourished and dehydrated that, despite my best efforts at a very balanced and measured refeeding program, it still appears as though his organs are failing I'm still hoping he pulls through, and his condition isn't to the point where I'm ready to bring him to the vet the euthanize, but I'm starting to think about what I would consider to be the line.
I haven't had to say goodbye to any of my critters in a long time (14 years), and I'm really nervous! I'm nervous that if he passes suddenly that I'll regret not bringing him to the vet sooner for a relatively painless death, and I worry that I'll make the call too soon and regret not giving him a better chance.
I guess I just want to know if any of you have any pearls of wisdom when it comes to knowing when it's time. Also, if you've rescued beardies in bad shape: How do you deal with the negative emotions surrounding the whole experience?
I think I'm venting a bit here. I don't have any friends who are reptile people, and my spouse (who is a wonderful, wonderful person), has been very hands off with this particular rescue and can't really relate (he frankly told me that he isn't comfortable with how frail he is, and how upset it made him. I get it).
No pressure on anyone to fix anything here. I just feel a bit isolated. If this were a cat or a dog I would have many people to confide in, but because he's "just a lizard" this situation isn't quite the same apparently :silent:
Thanks to everyone here for being so lovely and supportive I always really appreciate it.
I haven't had to say goodbye to any of my critters in a long time (14 years), and I'm really nervous! I'm nervous that if he passes suddenly that I'll regret not bringing him to the vet sooner for a relatively painless death, and I worry that I'll make the call too soon and regret not giving him a better chance.
I guess I just want to know if any of you have any pearls of wisdom when it comes to knowing when it's time. Also, if you've rescued beardies in bad shape: How do you deal with the negative emotions surrounding the whole experience?
I think I'm venting a bit here. I don't have any friends who are reptile people, and my spouse (who is a wonderful, wonderful person), has been very hands off with this particular rescue and can't really relate (he frankly told me that he isn't comfortable with how frail he is, and how upset it made him. I get it).
No pressure on anyone to fix anything here. I just feel a bit isolated. If this were a cat or a dog I would have many people to confide in, but because he's "just a lizard" this situation isn't quite the same apparently :silent:
Thanks to everyone here for being so lovely and supportive I always really appreciate it.