An Adventure With Adenovirus- What Every Owner Needs To Read

[Selkie1993]

Hi everyone!

Over the course of 3-4 months, I've been posting lots of questions about my dragon, Drogon. I wanted to share my experience with you, especially if you're new to the forum. Unfortunately, Drogon was diagnosed with adenovirus, a common virus among bearded dragons.

What is adenovirus?
Adenovirus is pretty much like HIV in humans or FIV in cats. It's a chronic virus that causes a compromised immune system. Any beardie who tested positive or showing signs should be kept away from other dragons and live in a extra hygienic habitat, since their immune systems are already battling a virus.


My Story:
Ever since I got Drogon, I noticed he kept having reoccurring parasite infections. Normally, this isn't something to worry about, but in the back of my mind, I kept questioning why this was happening. At his first vet appointment at the exotic specialist, Drogon received a negative result for adeno, which is always good news, right?

Fast forward four years later, specifically to March 2023. Drogon was going through his yearly shed, but he seemed to be taking it worse than normal. Even after he stopped shedding, he wasn't eating, wasn't pooping, and I also noticed he had a head tremor. Some surmised it was just a weird tic, but coupled with the other symptoms, I took him to a local vet, since the exotic specialist is about an hour away from me. After my first visit, she suggested warm baths, believing he had bad constipation.

Unfortunately, this didn't help much. So we did a blood test and found his lymphocytes, or white blood cells, were double than normal, a true indication something was wrong.... also pointing to potential leukemia. I was devastated. How could this happen??

But the vet suggested visiting the local exotic specialist in my area. Can you imagine my surprise when the specialist compared results from his previous visit for a parasite infection and found his bloodwork was exactly the same! That's right: Drogon had double the lymphocytes in his blood for over a year! At first, I was very frustrated, especially since the another vet at the exotic specialist who handled his parasite problem didn't tell me that (still very annoyed).

Based on the specialist's experience and seeing Drogon's head tremors and stiff gate, she was very certain it was adenovirus.
But even after another cloaca test, his work came back negative!


The truth about Adenovirus:
According to my exotic vet, there is still so much we don't know about adenovirus. Does it have other variants like covid? What are the other symptoms? Based on her findings and research, the vet told me there is a study about adenovirus testing. Even if your dragon comes back negative, they can still be a carrier OR you might get a false negative result. Considering how many of us have multiple dragons, this is a scary thought. I wanted to share some of the symptoms you should be aware of in case you have a similar situation to mine.


Common adenovirus symptoms:
- Lethargic, sleepy behavior
-Hiding a lot
- Lack of appetite, especially if your dragon loves to eat
-Lack of bowel movements
-Cranky disposition
Most important: head tremors and a stiff gait. Sometimes, this can occur from low calcium levels, so it's important to check for this.

Prognosis:
Bearded dragons can live very long and normal lives, even with adeno. But it's important to never expose them to other dragons, which risks infection and your compromised beardie catching something. I've also learned that Drogon's disposition improved with syringe feeding critical care herbivore or omnivore mix on his bad days, and keeping the basking spot extra warm (obviously, give them a temperature gradient, but the increased temperature helps with their immune system).

I've always had a close bond with my baby boy, but this bond has blossomed into a mutual understanding since we both suffer from chronic conditions, him with adeno and me with my fibromyalgia. We have are good and bad days, but we can always comfort each other when needed.

Thank you for reading my story, and I hope this helps other dragon owners in the future.
Selkie

 

[xp29]

I'm glad you got answers, now you can take the correct measures to keep him in the best health possible.
Also thank you for sharing, it's important that we get good info out there and that we raise awareness. There is way to much bad info readily available. Beardies aren't just a hobby they very quickly become part of the family and they deserve the best care possible.
I hope things get easier for you and your boy going forward.

 

[Selkie1993]

I'm glad you got answers, now you can take the correct measures to keep him in the best health possible.
Also thank you for sharing, it's important that we get good info out there and that we raise awareness. There is way to much bad info readily available. Beardies aren't just a hobby they very quickly become part of the family and they deserve the best care possible.
I hope things get easier for you and your boy going forward.

Thanks XP!! Anytime an animal comes into my home, I make a vow to take care of them no matter what; they become my children. I dont want anyone out there to feel like it's all over, especially since it's so common!

 

[xp29]

I bet he is one SPOILED boy but that's how it should be
All we can do is keep spreading good info, I think Tracie is making progress on a treatment for them (i think i remember reading that in a post) hopefully one day (soon) thete will be a cure for it.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Selkie,

Thanks SO much for sharing valuable information on care for Adeno positive dragons.
It is well needed. So few vets even try to find ways to help or even treat reptiles with
Adeno virus.
I know that Drogon is very pampered & spoiled.

Tracie

 

[Selkie1993]

Hello Selkie,

Thanks SO much for sharing valuable information on care for Adeno positive dragons.
It is well needed. So few vets even try to find ways to help or even treat reptiles with
Adeno virus.
I know that Drogon is very pampered & spoiled.

Tracie

Hi Tracie!!

Thank YOU for your advice and kind words through all of this frustrating time! I really appreciate your support. My baby is definitely spoiled he even gets TV time with a tablet in his enclosure

 

[SirBeardie]

I'm glad I found this post. I've been going through the same thing with my dragon for the last year and a half. Back in early 2022, he started exhibiting tremors and difficulty moving his rear legs. His vet initially suspected MBD, but I'd had him for eight years at that point and knew his care needs inside and out. A follow-up pointed toward an active adenovirus infection, of which he'd been an asymptomatic carrier his whole life up to that point.

I made a few more changes to his husbandry - including buying a solarmeter, which told me that the Arcadia D3 12% T5 bulb I'd installed recently was barely providing any UV! Every herp enthusiast should have one of these tools - and it seemed to arrest his decline, or at least slow it significantly.

However, it's been well over a year since the symptoms began, and while he's still a happy boy, the time between his bowel movements is getting distressingly long. He eats a few times a week, mostly Repashy Beardie Buffet (he's also lost most of his teeth, another long story) and occasional blackberries/raspberries for variety and fiber.

It's been three weeks since his last poop, and I'm starting to get worried. I've been giving him warm soaks, keeping him well-hydrated, and I've even given some olive oil in a syringe. I'm not a vet and may not know what to be looking for, but when I palpate his stomach, I can't find anything hard or solid that would suggest impaction. Every movement he's had in the last year has been very loose, anyway.

Any other tips on dealing with adeno-related constipation? His vet is too busy to see him until his next scheduled appointment in two months, and while I'll make an emergency room visit if necessary, I'd like to avoid it.

 

[Selkie1993]

I'm glad I found this post. I've been going through the same thing with my dragon for the last year and a half. Back in early 2022, he started exhibiting tremors and difficulty moving his rear legs. His vet initially suspected MBD, but I'd had him for eight years at that point and knew his care needs inside and out. A follow-up pointed toward an active adenovirus infection, of which he'd been an asymptomatic carrier his whole life up to that point.

I made a few more changes to his husbandry - including buying a solarmeter, which told me that the Arcadia D3 12% T5 bulb I'd installed recently was barely providing any UV! Every herp enthusiast should have one of these tools - and it seemed to arrest his decline, or at least slow it significantly.

However, it's been well over a year since the symptoms began, and while he's still a happy boy, the time between his bowel movements is getting distressingly long. He eats a few times a week, mostly Repashy Beardie Buffet (he's also lost most of his teeth, another long story) and occasional blackberries/raspberries for variety and fiber.

It's been three weeks since his last poop, and I'm starting to get worried. I've been giving him warm soaks, keeping him well-hydrated, and I've even given some olive oil in a syringe. I'm not a vet and may not know what to be looking for, but when I palpate his stomach, I can't find anything hard or solid that would suggest impaction. Every movement he's had in the last year has been very loose, anyway.

Any other tips on dealing with adeno-related constipation? His vet is too busy to see him until his next scheduled appointment in two months, and while I'll make an emergency room visit if necessary, I'd like to avoid it.

Hi There!
Thank you so much for reaching out. I believe my dragon must've been an asymptomatic carrier as well. From what I've learned on the forum, a Reptisun 10.0 T5 is the preferred bulb. Thanks @KarrieRee !

As for the constipation issue, this is fairly common and I'm also dealing with it right now. Here is what works for me:

1) Baby food pumpkin or canned pumpkin diluted with water and feed through a syringe
2) Make the bath water a tiny bit warmer than usual. Then, massage that stomach and don't stop! I even gently move his back legs as if he were walking to help stimulate a bowel movement
3) Try making your basking spot a bit warmer than usual to help with both constipation and boosting his immune system. (Thanks to @Drache13) for that suggestion!

If he still isn't pooping, you may need to take him to the vet so they can give him a colonic flush :/

Keep me updated! <3
Selkie

 

[xp29]

Please no enemas unless it's a last resort, more times than not they end in tragedy. I nearly lost one of my boys because the vet did so without my consent. It was very touch and go for several months afterwards. We see beardies here way to much that die from them, there was one just a couple weeks ago.

 

[Selkie1993]

Please no enemas unless it's a last resort, more times than not they end in tragedy. I nearly lost one of my boys because the vet did so without my consent. It was very touch and go for several months afterwards. We see beardies here way to much that die from them, there was one just a couple weeks ago.

WOW really!!!? My other vet (was a total dumbass) told me he did a flush and my dragon was totally fine. Why is it so dangerous?

Btw @SirBeardie just spent 30 minutes being firm with my dragon that he has to poop and it finally happened. Keep the water consistently warm and constantly massage the abdomen and paddle those feets!

 

[xp29]

If the vet doesn't know the specifics of beardies/reptiles they can perforate their intestines. Or rupture internals out right. It's insanely dangerous for our pets. We see post here ever little bit of beardies passing right after having it done. Feeding baby foods and olive oil, baths ect are much safer.
Keeping them hydrated will most likely stop it in the first place. (In healthy beardies). I don't have personal experience with adv so i can't reliability say what's best for those poor lil guys. But i do know enemas are never good regardless, they should be an absolute last resort.

 

[Selkie1993]

If the vet doesn't know the specifics of beardies/reptiles they can perforate their intestines. Or rupture internals out right. It's insanely dangerous for our pets. We see post here ever little bit of beardies passing right after having it done. Feeding baby foods and olive oil, baths ect are much safer.
Keeping them hydrated will most likely stop it in the first place. (In healthy beardies). I don't have personal experience with adv so i can't reliability say what's best for those poor lil guys. But i do know enemas are never good regardless, they should be an absolute last resort.

Daaaaamn wtf!!! I would sue if that happened to me. If you go to an exotic they should know better!! Poor owners and beardies

Yeah constipation and lack of eating is a common side effect of adv according to my new vet. That's what originally led me down this path with my dragon. I was talking and singing to my dragon the entire time he was in the bath like you neeeeeeed to poooop you neeeee to gooooo I'm not letting you out so stop hufffingggg

 

[SirBeardie]

I actually got a poop out of my little guy today. I guess it figures that the moment I go ask for advice he demonstrates that everything's fine. I was at my desk and suddenly noticed him waving his tail at me from his viv, and ten minutes later after we cleaned up, he had the biggest smile on his face just before shutting his eyes for a nap.

Over the last year I've tried plenty of tactics to help him move his bowels: very warm baths (100 degrees F), olive oil, pumpkin puree, pumpkin baby food, Critical Care Fine Grind, tummy rubs, and because he has difficulty moving, I'm constantly adjusting his lights to make sure he's at the right temp and getting just the right amount of UV. I never appreciated just how much the little things can affect their temperature; even having a fan blowing halfway across the room can make a difference. Lucky for both us, I work from home, and as much as I'd like a different job, I'm keeping my current one for his sake.

What I had only just considered now is that we moved house this month, and we're over four hundred miles away from where he'd lived his whole life. While he hasn't shown any other signs of relocation stress that I recognize, I wonder if the new environment made him uncomfortable. It's certainly distracted my attention enough to forget about how it might affect him.

Appreciate the heads-up from everyone about enemas. If his new vet suggests it, I'll know to go find someone else, difficult as it seems to be to find reptile specialists in this part of the country.

 

[xp29]

Hydration plays a big role in their pooping also. Just giving soak or misting won't hydrate them unless they actually drink. If they eat salad well, rinsing first and serving wet helps, but even at that i recommend giving water with an eyedropper a couple times per week. It might be worthwhile to add in a little pedialyte also. I tried the grape flavor with mine a ways back, they didn't seem to care for that one. I diluted it quite a bit with water.

 

[Groggyfroggie]

Thank you for sharing this valuable information! I'm glad Drogon can get the care he needs.