14 Year Old Beardie - Lethargic, Shaky

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is hopeful she was a little more alert. Give her time, it does take a little while for the UVB to start working. Maybe try giving some extra calcium also, in case her reserves are somewhat low.
Keep us posted on her.

Tracie

 

[bekah]

I was having a hard time figuring out how to post another picture. But here's link to a picture on my Google Drive of when we took her outside yesterday: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8-s2COLU3LsZ1RxV1RwTlNRRjA/view?usp=sharing

We gave her a bath last night and she seemed to enjoy it. When she went back in her cage she moved around a bit more in her tree but ultimately it was her bedtime so she went into her cave.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

OH she sure looks sweet. :love5: Did she enjoy being outside?
How is she doing today?


Tracie

 

[bekah]

She definitely perks up outside. I think it's all the stimulus! As far as we know she's still not eating. There are loose crickets in her cage but I doubt she's eating them. She definitely is not eating her veggies (which she's never been good about eating). I did droppers of water again but no interest. I put her favorite in her dish - bananas - and she licked at them and perked up a little but didn't eat them. I think her movement might have improved some but those front legs still seem stiff or otherwise impaired. She actually got herself wedged face down between her rock and the cage wall so we may have to do some rearranging. It'd be terrible for her to get stuck when no one was home to help her.

I was thinking, she just recently woke up from brumation. I'm wondering if she developed MBD over the winter when she wasn't getting a lot of calcium and basking as much. She basically stays in her cave all winter.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is a high possibility she could have decreased calcium stores. At her age, she still needs calcium & they can become depleted during brumation.
Maybe get some liquid calcium for her, to help bring the levels up more quickly.
Do you remove the crickets at night though so they wont bite her?
I hope she starts eating for you. Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I was wondering how your girl was doing, has she improved any for you?
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[bekah]

Thanks for thinking of her! Yes & no. She still isn't eating to our knowledge but she's starting to move around more and there's more "light" in her eyes when she she's up. Whenever we take her outside she perks up a lot. If she is eating, it's not enough for us to notice a difference in her bowl of veggies & fruit. Her normal routine is to go under her cave at bed time and come out during the day. She's starting to do that again instead of just staying in one place all the time.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, that is good news though, that she has more spirit in her eyes & seems to be going back to her normal schedule a little bit.
Sunshine will definitely help her out so if she seems to enjoy that continue taking her out often if you can.
I hope she continues to improve, even if it is slowly.

Tracie

 

[bekah]

I got her to eat!!!!!!

OK. this might sound completely crazy but we noticed that she was interested in crickets but wasn't being successful in catching them with her lack of energy and shaky movements. So I went to the store and got some canned grasshoppers and dusted them. We put some in her cage and she had no interest. So this morning I had an idea and it worked! I put the grasshoppers on the end of a child sized fork and pretended they were "running" around her and when she striked at it I would stop and let her get it! I only let her eat 3 this way because I didn't want to overdo it. Any thoughts on how many I should let her eat in a sitting?

 

[Jackiorio]

Congrats 14 years old is old for a beardie (considering they live 10-12 years in captivity) for ur light issue it may be time to get a new light as she may be cold (also she/he is very old) I would recommend the Mercury light as I have it and my little Beardie Zelda loves it she bask all day and she is very friendly and dark (she absorbs the heat) get a 100 wat which I think is great if ur house is really cold mabey a 130.
Hope it helps

 

[bekah]

Just wanted to give a big thank you to those who helped us with Spike! It's been over a month of hand feeding canned grasshoppers, outdoor basking sessions and hand watering with a dropper but she has finally improved! She's active and eating again and has that beardie curiosity back in her eyes....

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all for do for beardies and those of us who love them ?

 

[mamakintobeardie]

That's wonderful! I've been wondering how she's been doing

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is wonderful she has improved so much, bless her. Spike has a lot of spirit then. It is the extra attention, food & hydration that has helped out. I am sure the sunshine has perked her up a lot also!
Way to go, I am happy for you both.

Tracie

 

[bekah]

I just wanted to say thank you for your help with Spike now and throughout the years. She passed away peacefully this evening but this site played a huge role in her longevity. We rescued Spike and knew nothing about beardies or any reptile pets. This forum contributed greatly to our ability to care for her and get her to 14+ years. We are heartbroken but thankful for the life she had. God bless.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm sorry to hear that =(. 14 is a great run though and it sounds like she had a wonderful life with you.