Is my beardie dying?

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I came home today to find Kyro lying flat on the cool side of his tank with a black beard and incredibly droopy eyes. I've had him around a month now (adopted him from someone else) and in all that time, I haven't been able to get him to eat anything. Despite that, he poops virtually every day, so I thought he was healthy, maybe just entering brumation. But now, looking at him today, I'm not so sure. I have no clue how serious this could be just by looking at him. I'm thinking about taking him to the vet tomorrow, but I also don't know if he looks as bad as I think he does, considering he's my first beardie. His UVB is the Reptisun 10.0 T5.
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Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I'm sorry he is not feeling well, he does appear to be in distress possibly. If you already
have a vet's appointment, it would be a good idea to get him in. Don't let them overmedicate
him, without just cause! If his kidneys are not doing great, antibiotics will do him in.
The Reptisun 10 T5 tube is a great bulb. I couldn't tell by the picture but how do you have it
mounted?
What are the temperatures in the tank & what types of foods & supplements are you using?
Is he a leatherback?

Tracie
 

hayley0501

Member
Original Poster
Drache613":ou0033gl said:
Hello,

I'm sorry he is not feeling well, he does appear to be in distress possibly. If you already
have a vet's appointment, it would be a good idea to get him in. Don't let them overmedicate
him, without just cause! If his kidneys are not doing great, antibiotics will do him in.
The Reptisun 10 T5 tube is a great bulb. I couldn't tell by the picture but how do you have it
mounted?
What are the temperatures in the tank & what types of foods & supplements are you using?
Is he a leatherback?

Tracie

Hi Tracie,
My UVB sits on top of the tank lid, I just had it moved for the picture. I'd been attempting to feed him superworms and collard greens dusted with calcium (which he never ate). I'm also not sure of his exact morph, but I don't think he's a leatherback. He's kind of scalier than I think those are expected to be, but I could be wrong.

This morning, I brought Kyro to the vet to get him looked at. They said he's so sick that they weren't even able to draw blood from him, which overall means that they weren't able to give me a definitive diagnosis. I feel so awful that I let him go without food for so long, thinking it was just brumation. They gave him a vitamin injection as well as another for hydration, and sent me home with some hill's urgent care prescription diet and a syringe. I'm supposed to force-feed him twice a day, and they told me to bring him back on Thursday. I don't even know if he's going to make it that long. So sad
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I am so sorry to hear hes sick -- the screen on the tank is a fine mesh screen like a screen door or a wide holed screen like a dime or similar to?
Karrie
 

hayley0501

Member
Original Poster
KarrieRee":3h6d47ve said:
I am so sorry to hear hes sick -- the screen on the tank is a fine mesh screen like a screen door or a wide holed screen like a dime or similar to?
Karrie

Hi Karrie, thank you.. the screen is a fine mesh (Thrive reptile screen cover).
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I would get the T 5 into the tank he hasnt been getting much UVB if that Thrive screen is real thick -- that I have heard -- get it into the tank approx 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor --- you can hang w/ these do this ASAP
3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip ties--- potted plant wire hangers -- fishing line -- shoe laces --
Karrie
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
Hi there, Kyro's a leatherback and is a beautiful boy. He is really sick but it wouldn't be from not eating for a month or from lack of uvb. The fact that he poops every day despite not eating makes me wonder if he has some G.I. problem. I'm not sure why they couldn't get a blood sample, he's a good size, not a baby. And they should have given him some Critical Care supplemental feeding, not the dog food which is too high in fat for beardies. Has he eaten anything for you ? I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.
 

hayley0501

Member
Original Poster
AHBD":2b8cf0rv said:
Hi there, Kyro's a leatherback and is a beautiful boy. He is really sick but it wouldn't be from not eating for a month or from lack of uvb. The fact that he poops every day despite not eating makes me wonder if he has some G.I. problem. I'm not sure why they couldn't get a blood sample, he's a good size, not a baby. And they should have given him some Critical Care supplemental feeding, not the dog food which is too high in fat for beardies. Has he eaten anything for you ? I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

The vet was so vague and because of COVID, I wasn't able to go in with him and ask questions during his examination or see the exam process. I was also super confused as to why they gave me dog/cat urgent care food, but I figured that they would know what was best, considering they agreed to see him. I've managed to force feed him about 8 mL of the food provided (4 in the morning, 4 at night), and he ate with his eyes closed --he barely opens them and they look sort of oozy. He keeps trying to drag himself away from the warm side of his tank, and I'm afraid that even if he is eating, he might not be able to digest properly. What you're suggesting I feed him, is that something I'd be able to buy in-store/online? Are you saying I should make a switch? Thank you for your condolences. I haven't had him long at all, but the attachment I feel to him is so strong. It breaks my heart to see him like this.
 

hayley0501

Member
Original Poster
AHBD":2jn6qg7q said:
Yes online, Oxbow Critcal Care . Is there any way you can find a new vet ?

I'll look online now. I was struggling to find an exotic vet in my area, and the vet I bring my dog and cat to recommended this place. I could try to search for other clinics, but I wasn't having much success before.
 

hayley0501

Member
Original Poster
AHBD":r96onx86 said:
Yes online, Oxbow Critcal Care . Is there any way you can find a new vet ?

Oddly enough, I just googled "bearded dragon hill's prescription diet urgent care" and the only related search to pop up was a post from 2012 on this website from a person who got prescribed the same food from the EXACT same animal hospital.. it seems like they're the only people doing this. So strange.
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Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

How is your boy doing today? Were you able to get any food or fluids into him at all?
He is definitely big enough for them to have done a blood draw, even if he is dehydrated.
That will indicate infection along with anything else that could be going on.
This is not your fault, they are excellent masters of disguise & you often wont recognize
signs of illness.
The critical care or herbivore care can definitely be helpful for him. It does sound more
like something internal going on, such as GI distress, or possible organ problems. It is so
hard to know for sure.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie
 

hayley0501

Member
Original Poster
Drache613":339x0aci said:
Hello,

How is your boy doing today? Were you able to get any food or fluids into him at all?
He is definitely big enough for them to have done a blood draw, even if he is dehydrated.
That will indicate infection along with anything else that could be going on.
This is not your fault, they are excellent masters of disguise & you often wont recognize
signs of illness.
The critical care or herbivore care can definitely be helpful for him. It does sound more
like something internal going on, such as GI distress, or possible organ problems. It is so
hard to know for sure.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

Hi again Tracie,
He's still very lethargic but I managed to get him to eat a bit today. He dried to drink on his own in the bath, which I thought was promising, but ended up choking on a bit of the water. I had to hold him downwards and the water ran out no problem. He also had an injection at the vet today for hydration. I ordered him some critical care on Amazon maybe 30 mins ago, but I got the carnivorous one. The omnivorous option wasn't available. Should I have gotten the herbivore one? Just now seeing your response
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I am sorry he had a rough time with his food & fluids. The Carnivore care will be ok, no
problem. Just be sure to mix it to a good consistency, to where it isn't too thick. You can
get some sweet potato baby food or squash baby food to mix in with it to be more palatable
for him.
Is his beard still dark? I hope he is feeling better. Be sure to keep him a little warmer over
the night, around 75-80 to help boost his system right now.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie
 
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