Euthanize bearded dragon?

Just typing this right now is killing me.. My heart is breaking into a million pieces!

Drake is a very old dragon. He is around 15 years and has MBD from being mistreated by others. He can't walk or climb and was once before treated for URI. Then a while back we found out he also has gingivitis. He refuses to eat and his breathing is rough. For months I've been force feeding him. Recently he has started throwing up slime. He has been to the vet multiple times. I clean his mouth every day and give him 15-20 min baths every week with pedialyte just as the vet instructed. He has so much saliva..

Drake is my world but he seems so miserable. I love him so so so much! I can't imagine life without him! But l understand that as a parent l have to make the right choice.. Do you guys think euthanasia is the best way to go? I've tried so hard to help him!

Because l know you will ask:

10.0 UVB reptisun tube
105 basking surface/tho he usually refuses to bask
Cool side of 80-85
Towels instead of substrate (washed every time he poos)
Dubia roaches/crickets 3 days a week (vets orders)
Mustard, collard, and turnip greens, butternut squash, green beans and I've tried squash and green bean baby food
Custom built wooden enclosure
One or two 15-20 min baths a week w/pedialyte

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this..

Hello,

Oh geez, these posts kill me also because it rips your heart out when you have to go through this with your dragon.
At 15, that is quite a long life for today's standards for sure. How long have you had Drake for?
What supplementation are you giving & how often does he receive it? How old is the tube bulb & how close is it to him?
Have you tried lowering the basking spot temperature to a range a little lower, around 95-100? Sometimes older dragons don't like it quite as hot. Is his beard black or not?
The foods you are feeding sound fine. How often does he throw up? His tummy could be a little upset for some reason, you could try adding some probiotics for him. Do you feed him earlier in the day so that he has ample time to digest before lights out?
His breathing, is it regular though, or erratic?
If you have any pictures of him & the tank setup, just so we can see everything.
It is a very hard call I realize. Some may not agree with my view but I want to be with them & if they are not horribly suffering, many times I feel it better to let them pass on their own with their owner. So often, they feel comforted & may go peacefully, with you.
I realize that probably isn't a simple answer or one you might have expected. I wish I could help more or tell you what to do, but only your soul can give you that guidance. Knowing Drake & seeing him can help your decision.
My thoughts go out to you.


Tracie

Yes, euthanasia is appropriate and the most humane thing to do.

I don't envy you being in such a position and having such a horrible decision to make.

I suggest you have long discussion with your reptile vet about Drake's health, prognosis and likelihood of have a good quality of life from now on , or after his current illness has been treated.
He could still have several years in him (beardies have been known to live to venerable ages as old a 21 years old and even longer in the right hands).

If he has poor prospects of recovering and has nothing but suffering and pain to look forward to then it's kinder to arrange his euthanization (at home where he will he with the people who love him and in familiar surroundings and where you can comfort him while he's getting the needle and while he goes to sleep never to wake up). This way he can die with dignity and knowing he is with you and in him home.

It would be horrible and terrifying experience for him to be have to be taken to a vet and be surrendered to a vet nurse and taken away where he can't even see you or hear your voice into room full of terrifying and strange sites and noises surrounded by strangers who are doing nasty things to him which he wont understand and will only make his final minute more horrible than they need to be. A much less stressful for him spend his last minutes of consciousness.

Regard his sore infected mouth , anyone suggested http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/F10-Antiseptic-Solution-Ready-To-Use-Refill-1L/Productinfo/F10ANTISSR/

Oral use: A 1:500 to 1:1000 solution of has been shown to be effective as a crop lavage for the treatment of yeast and bacterial infections. Administer by gavage tube.

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