!!!PLEASE HELP!!! BD Swallowed A Penny

Situation:

My daughter has a 1-year-old, 18 inch, otherwise very healthy BD (Red Bull). On Sept. 27, Red Bull swallowed a penny. We took him to the vet right away. Vet said it is highly unlikely Red Bull will pass the penny naturally, and would result in zinc toxicity (assuming penny is 1982 or newer) and severe digestive problems - both fatal. Scope removal or surgical removal was suggested. Unfortunately, those procedures cost over a thousand dollars each. We are heart broken and very worried, especially my 11 year old daughter and 9 year old son who are very attached - okay I'm very attached too.

Questions:

Has anyone else ever encountered this or heard of someone who has? What was the result? What should I do?

Thank you for taking the time to help...

The only thing I could possibly think of doing is trying to flush out his system as much as possible. You should probably give your beardie a couple of baths each day. You can also try feeding him babyfood (squash), applesauce, or canned pumpkin (make sure there's no sugar or artificial sugar added) with a drop of olive oil. Hope everything works out for you.
Sara

I'm sorry that has happened
Continuing from what Spurlee said, I also would not give him any type of live feeders for a while..
Best of luck to you guys!! Keep us updated!!

Thank you Sara. I will try those things you suggested as well as any other suggestions I get.

Chris

Oh no, that is awful. I am so sorry that happened. I really hope that your beardie will be ok.
Did the vet happen to take a xray to see where the penny was at in there?

At the time of the x-ray the penny was in his stomach, not the intestines.

Can't believe he ate a penny. We set him down for a second and he was supervised...he darted straight to a penny and ate it. We got to him when it was in his mouth but he swallowed it before we could get it out. It happened so fast. I am hoping by some miracle we can help him pass it through his system.

It might be too big to make it's way down into his intestines. Seems to me that there has to be some way to force him to regurgitate it.

That is a good idea. I'm surprised the vet didn't suggest something like that. Any ideas on how to make him throw up?

I would think like ipecac but not sure if it would be safe for him! I don't no if it would be safe to throw it back up due to the acids in the stomach! Although im not a vet just throwing in my 2 cents! I would PM Tracie! Good luck...


Edit: Also wanted to say that if the penny passes down into the stomach he would be able to pass it out of the vent! It may cause tares but if you think it about a beardie can pass an egg and an egg is fairly its size! Being an older beardie you may be ok! I wish the best of luck to you and just my 2cents!! Just keep a close eye on him until you find out for sure!!

Oh my goodness, this really has me baffled. Hard to know what to tell you except giving oral fluids by mouth, frequent baths, pumpkin, applesauce and vegetable oil. How is he acting so far, any change in his coloration on his beard and/or tail? I would think taking him back tomorrow to get another xray done would be a good idea to see just where the penny is then. I would not feed him anything solid in the meantime. Good luck, we will be thinking about him and all of you.

In my opinion, I would avoid things like ipecac, it can be very harsh on a human stomach, and could possibly be poisonous to a herp, or cause damage to the kidneys and liver. Lizards, like beardies have a pretty extensive digestive system and trying to force him to throw up might cause more damage and pain or choking. It's already in the system, the best chance is if he can pass it with a little help. I'm not sure about olive oil or vegi oil, I do know that it is safe to use a little mineral oil, no more than 0.1 cc (ml) for a large adult (don't get carried away, 1 dose is generally enough in a 24 hour time period. I would also get some pedialyte in him (clear) with a syringe (drops on his snout, until he licks, then keep dripping until you can get a few ml into him) for hydration, several times per day. The chemicals from the penny that are being pulled from the penny by acid of the stomach/intestines can build up in his system as the vet saying becoming toxic. You want to get fluids into him to help flush this out as quickly as possible. Hopefully, he can pass this through the digestive tract with out absorbing to much chemical from the penny and without tearing the stomach or intestinal lining.
No live feeders or fresh vegies/greens until this is over, as this could compound the situation causing a very painful impaction. I would go easy with the baby food, just small amounts to help get his digestive system moving and to help (hopefully) buffer the coin. I'm really sorry this happened to your dragon, and I really wish that surgery was an option for you, but, I know that herp surgery is pretty specialized and expensive (I know first hand from my first beardie having surgery to remove a mass). Good luck to you, I hope that all turns out well. I hope this offers a little help and hope. Let us know how he's doing

Hello
I am so sorry to hear about your beardie.Unfortunately I think the vet is correct and he most likely will not be able to pass it naturally however stranger things have happened.As for vomitting it up this is a possible solution but I would be very concerned that he would do some damage internally on the way up.I was thinking about the fluids as well, the thing with pennies is that they do oxidize quicker when introduced to liquid so I dont know that I would increase it too much UNLESS you want to fill him up in an attempt to get him to vomit.Is the vet possibly willing to work put some sort of payment plan with you or maybe you could contact a reptile rescue group in your area that could offer some assistance in paying for the medical expenses?

Hello,

Geez, I am sorry that has happened!
I do not recommend getting him to throw up. It can cause too much damage to their system, as suggested. The copper can build up but takes some time.
The olive oil or mineral oil is fine to use, at .1ml daily it can help things to pass through easier. Do refrain from feeding any live food or solid foods. Maybe just sugar free applesauce, or canned pumpkin to help add some fiber & hopefully it will help out his body. It is a rather odd shaped object to pass through those intestines though.
I wish him luck in passing that. Try giving extra vitamins, especially the B vitamins to help offset any copper toxicity he may experience.
Please keep us posted on him.

Tracie

Hi, how's he doing today? Any luck passing the penny. Hoping this all works out for you. Let us know

I want to thank everyone for their concern and for all of the suggestions. It makes me feel a little less alone in dealing with this situation...so again...thank you!

So far, Red Bull seems to be acting normal. However, he does seem bloated today. He has an appetite, moves around, and has actually had two BMs since eating the penny. Unfortunately the penny is still in, what I believe is, his stomach. I can feel it when soaking him. I have started giving him sugar free applesause/canned pumpkin and am soaking him 2-4 times per day. I will also get some B vitamin to give him and hope for the best.

I have called many places for more alternatives. Nothing. I live in a relatively small area. Unfortunately, not many herp resources here. I tried calling a university vet training clinic located 3 hours away from me. Even they charge over $1000.00. I talked to two reptile owners today who said I should consider putting Red Bull down. This sucks...