JackIsBack77
Member
So as a bit of a backstory, when I first got my beardie, Scorch, I suspected he had some issues with his respiratory system. I ended up taking him to three different vets in all, and none of them really could find an URI. I just let it go after the third one gave me some gentle medicine to see if it would be fixed.
Fast forward to the winter and Scorch did a "typical" brumation cycle. He was still eating and pooping, but he wasn't very active. I did some research on this and found that this is common in reptiles, especially during the winter months (I have a BP who didn't eat for four months but then resumed eating after the winter).
Now, about a week ago I noticed he essentially stopped moving and stopped eating. I was thinking he could somehow be impacted even though he lives on slate tile and I feed him collard greens, butternut squash, endive, wax worms and super worms.
I tried to give him a warm bath to see if maybe he needed to pass anything, but he didn't. He didn't swim in the water. He didn't move. He didn't even change the direction of his eyes. I put him back in his tank and he immediately opened his mouth and started turning black.
I took him to the vet the next morning who told me nothing could be done at that point and he needed to be euthanized. He told me it couldn't really be pinned down to one thing, but that he was just not well. He did, however, rule out impaction. He was one year old.
I kept his basking spot around 100 degrees. I gave him a temperature gradient. He had a UVB 10.0 bulb spanning his cage. I fed him the right diet. I gave him calcium and multi-vitamin supplements. I tried to keep his humidity as close to 35% as I could. Sure, during the winter I didn't clean his cage or feed him as much as I should have, but I don't think I was anywhere near neglect. He still died, and I can't help but feel it was my fault.
What do I do to gain closure? How do I move on and keep reptiles without worrying that I'm going to ultimately be the end of them, too?
Fast forward to the winter and Scorch did a "typical" brumation cycle. He was still eating and pooping, but he wasn't very active. I did some research on this and found that this is common in reptiles, especially during the winter months (I have a BP who didn't eat for four months but then resumed eating after the winter).
Now, about a week ago I noticed he essentially stopped moving and stopped eating. I was thinking he could somehow be impacted even though he lives on slate tile and I feed him collard greens, butternut squash, endive, wax worms and super worms.
I tried to give him a warm bath to see if maybe he needed to pass anything, but he didn't. He didn't swim in the water. He didn't move. He didn't even change the direction of his eyes. I put him back in his tank and he immediately opened his mouth and started turning black.
I took him to the vet the next morning who told me nothing could be done at that point and he needed to be euthanized. He told me it couldn't really be pinned down to one thing, but that he was just not well. He did, however, rule out impaction. He was one year old.
I kept his basking spot around 100 degrees. I gave him a temperature gradient. He had a UVB 10.0 bulb spanning his cage. I fed him the right diet. I gave him calcium and multi-vitamin supplements. I tried to keep his humidity as close to 35% as I could. Sure, during the winter I didn't clean his cage or feed him as much as I should have, but I don't think I was anywhere near neglect. He still died, and I can't help but feel it was my fault.
What do I do to gain closure? How do I move on and keep reptiles without worrying that I'm going to ultimately be the end of them, too?