Baby Beardie attacked...permanent disfiguring

[MissingBello]

I haven't posted in a while. My wife and I are the proud keepers of 2 healthy beardies. Today we purchased a 3rd from Petco that was marked as "Manager's Special" They've had him since June and have been unable to sell the little guy. When Petco got him, he had been attcked by another beardie and his upper left jaw had been mangled pretty severely. He has some teeth missing and his bottom jaw doesn't line up with his upper jaw. The left side of his face had just been tore up. It broke our hearts when we saw him. The manager said their vet had treated him and he had just come off meds. We had read stories of how injured beardies make full recoveries and we decided to take a chance on this one. He's small but long, just over 12" from nose to tail. He sleeps a lot but has had moments where he perks up. He's eating greens and today pounded down about 5 crickets. We named him Orion to go with the other two greek named beardies we have, Apollo & Athena.
Today he also "waved" and "bobbed" at Apollo and snuggled into a pillow. He tries to be as normal as possible but my wife and I know that daily life for him is a struggle. His left eye is also swollen shut and has signs of a past infection. His body looks healthy and strong but his legs could use some muscle.
I know that there isn't a whole lot we can do for him. We're hoping and keeping the faith that he will grow and be healthy despite his injuries. Any advice that anyone has would help but most of all, we ask that all of you beardie owners say a little prayer for Orion as he is battling to overcome his affliction. He is very loveable and we refuse to give up on him. Thanks. Robert & Jackie, Las Vegas, NV.

 

[mitternachtvogel]

I hope the best for you, and wish you luck. :[ He sounds like he would have some serious trouble eating and all.


Have you tried feeding him baby food and smaller crickets?

I would think that would make it a little easier on the poor thing.



Could you post some pictures and keep us updated on how he's doing?

 

[albitjerz]

The first thing to do is get your new additon to a good reptile vet to make shure all the infection is gone. His eye being swolen could be a sighn of an underlieing infection. Odously eating is an isue for the little guy. Offer smaller cricks and baby food. You could also give him the regular beardie foods just in smaller peaces for easer eating. Im shure you know this but pay extra attention to vitamins and calcum suplament in the diet. You menton he is week and small. After he is fealing better make shure you take him out every day and provide excercise as tolarated. With love and suport and all our prairs to you and yours.
Lisa and Puff PS CONGRATZ!

 

[MissingBello]

Thanks. He goes to our herp vet on Tuesday. I've been doing a warm compress on his eye to loosen the mookie stuff and he had it open for a while. He eats fine. Even with just the one eye he "pegs" those crickets better than the other two.
Last night was probably the most comfortable night he's ever had. He got to fall asleep on our pillow which I'm sure was a first for him. He has a good strong "I want to live" attitude and his damaged jaw isn't stopping him. He have high hopes for this little guy and hopefully our vet will as well.
When we were considering buying him, we wondered if it was worth the $50.00 but we figured that if he didn't make, his last days would be spent under loving care. But if he does make it, and I think he will, then we'll have another healthy dragon, that to us is worth far more than a mere $50.00.
If he can make another month, then I'll be 100% sure that he's gonna be fine. Right now he's doing really good.
My wife brought beardies into our lives about a year ago. We started with two. Apollo & Bello. Bello was about a year old when we got him and Apollo was a mere baby. Bello died due to our lack of knowledge regarding proper care. After that, I studied up on beardie care and now Apollo is full grown and turned out beautiful. We purchased Athena at a year old and she too is doing great.
Apollo is what they've called a "German Giant" He's a mediun brown with orange highlights. Athena is a pastel white and grey with a touch off brown and at times also has orange highlights on her beard.
So after raising two we decided to help little Orion. We couldn't say no so we took him. I need to figure out how to post pics cause this little guy is an inspiration. He's a fighter.

Thank you for your help and I will post his progress as it happens. Robert & Jackie

 

[baugherb]

you are awesome people.. Hope all works out...

 

[mitternachtvogel]

http://www.tinypic.com is a good sit for uploading pictures. it doesn't require an account, and i find it faster and less hassling than photobucket. Just use the direct link and paste it between the image code that's on the toolbar of your post. I wanna see this little guy!

 

[MissingBello]

Anyone who'd like to see pics of Orion just send me an e-mail at [email protected]

 

[MissingBello]

 

[MissingBello]

Hi All....we were able to speak to someone who knew what was going on with Orion. It surprised me when I heard but it didn't occur to me cause they said he was attacked and bitten. He was attacked but not by another beardie. It was bacteria....mouth rot. His infection ate away the upper part of his jaw and spread to his eye. Petco's vet treated him with meds and cleared him for sale in the store and said he was going to make a full recovery. HOWEVER...in the morning Orion is going to our herp vet for another look.
It's frightening to see what this can do a beardie. Especially a young one like Orion. People...keep their habitats clean and your beardies even cleaner. Will post vet's news tomorrow. Thanks for da support!!!

 

[Okiemavis]

Good luck!! I haven't got much more to add, but natural sunlight is always great for ailing beardies. If it's warm where you live I'd take him outside to the sunlight whenever you get a chance.

 

[MissingBello]

Great news. I know that I said that he was attacked and then I said he had mouth rot. Well turns out he was attacked by another beardie while in transit to Petco and his injuries brought on the mouth rot. He did go to our herp vet today. Dr K. gave him a through examination. Turns out his lower jaw was fractured as well. She said he's lucky to be alive. The people at Petco stepped up to the plate and got him some vet care when he arrived at the store. For that I am very thankful.
Overall Dr K. said he's gonna grow into a healthy dragon. The skin will heal as will his eye. The bone and teeth that he lost will never grow back but that doesn't really matter, he's doing just fine with what he's got. I can't wait to watch him grow.
She mentioned that he may need surgery in his nasal area down the line but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
My thanks and gratutude go out to everyone who replied to us. I believe that your prays helped little Orion and your advice and suportful words helped us. He has two grown dragons for role models. Athena is fixed so it's like the baby they were never able to have. Unfortunately, Apollo can be aggressive so we have to watch him around Orion and Athena for that matter.
We plan to spoil him rotten. Thanks again all. Robert & Jackie, Las Vegas, NV.

 

[lovinmybd]

Glad to hear that all will be fine...You are amazing people for all you do for the beardies....keep up the great work!