Bearded Dragon fatty liver disease POSITIVE REPORT

[Fellowdt23]

Hi everybody for those that dont know and for those that dont remember I have a dragon that was seriously ill with fatty liver disease which we think was due to antibiotic after antibiotic for a really stubborn respiratory infection.

This was all 3 years ago when the vet had to operate to see what was going on and after a liver biopsy the vet said that he had 20 times the amount of fat in his liver than a normal dragon. 3 years on and no vet visits inbetween he developed a lump on his side which got removed this week which turned out to be a small cyst, this being his first specialist visit in 3 years and the fact the vet is 200 miles away we took the oportunity to get a full health check including liver check amd everything else and here are the results

On the visit 3 years ago when the dragon was 2 years old he weighted at 500g with 20 times more liver fat than a normal dragon and if left untreated would have lead to death 3 years on he is 800g and has a fully functioning normal liver with no signs of disease which the vet said is credit to me as he admited more often than not liver disease in dragons is basically a death sentance because of whats envolved in treating and with 20 times the amount he said 3 years ago his liver wasnt really functioning at all

so basically anything is possible with the right care and whats happened with my dragons liver over the last 3 years is proof that you should never give up

 

[CooperDragon]

That's for sharing the inspiring, positive story! It makes me happy to hear good news like this =). I'm glad to hear he is doing so much better.

 

[Fellowdt23]

That's for sharing the inspiring, positive story! It makes me happy to hear good news like this =). I'm glad to hear he is doing so much better.

I just feel more often than not we dont share enough of the good news to show whats possible, after speaking with my vet today he was as shocked as me about his liver as he said the previous readings were off the scale and that just being alive would have been an achievement 3 years on but to find out he no longer has the disease has surpassed everyones expectations

 

[Betty53218]

What a wonderful story! Congrats on your great care and wishes for many more happy years ahead!

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Can you share what you did to help cure him? Change in diet? Supplements? My vet told me to lay off superworms because of the high fat content didn't help the liver.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That IS fantastic news, great job with him. It sounds like you completely turned him around. Some dragons just have a harder time with fat metabolism than others for whatever reason, genetics, etc.
I am happy to hear he is very healthy & his liver is doing much better.
Livers do, in fact have regenerative properties, so with some work it is very possible to reverse fatty liver.

Tracie

 

[Fellowdt23]

Thanks guys I will post more info on what I did shortly unfortunately its not all good as you will see I have another post now he has come home with an RI he caught in the vets

 

[Fellowdt23]

Can you share what you did to help cure him? Change in diet? Supplements? My vet told me to lay off superworms because of the high fat content didn't help the liver.

The best thing for fatty liver disease is no artificial foods so no store bought dragon biscuits.

Does your dragon eat veg?

Also plenty of fluids

yes he is right the worms are not great my dragon wasnt eating at all when fatty liver got him so first of all I had 3 weeks of diluted critical care 5mls a day then when his apetite started it had to be varied unfortunately mine hates veg so I had to vary the bugs best possible and only ever couple of days and everyday he didnt eat I gave critical care this went on for a further 2 months when I stopped the critical care alltogether baring in mind he only got it sparingly after the first 3 weeks and the reason it was so constant was because to help the liver get better it has to be forced to work constantly thats why the constant fluids and different bugs so important

He was also on a liver supplement which I gave him everyday for a year after that I just fed him a varied diet with the least fat possible and it seemed to work I will find a link to the supplement and post it shortly

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Thanks.

 

[Fellowdt23]

Hello,

That IS fantastic news, great job with him. It sounds like you completely turned him around. Some dragons just have a harder time with fat metabolism than others for whatever reason, genetics, etc.
I am happy to hear he is very healthy & his liver is doing much better.
Livers do, in fact have regenerative properties, so with some work it is very possible to reverse fatty liver.

Tracie

Not all good Tracie I have another post now my poor dragon caught an RI in the vets and by the sound he makes its full blown pneumonia