Cinnamon Dragon is Very Sick. UPDATE: Cinnamon's Gone

[msmaui]

The vet just called me with Cinnamon's blood test results. She said there were a lot of muscle enzymes from his leg, which she said she wasn't worried about because it will heal. He still isn't walking on it though. His kidneys and liver and everything are fine. The bad thing is his blood sugar. She said a normal dragon's is around 300. Cinnamon's is 2000. She couldn't even believe it. She said she's never heard of a diabetic bearded dragon but guesses it could be possible. She want me to bring him back him to have it rechecked. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? He's doing awful today too. He's just slept all day long. Even when I take him out he just lies there.

 

[beardie parents]

That is very strange! I don't know how a dragon's blood sugar could get that high. I hope things turn out better for him.

 

[diamc]

Wow, that's a high glucose reading. :shock: Have you been giving him juice and/or fruits?

 

[msmaui]

No juice or fruits but the thing he did love was Craisins.

 

[diamc]

So, he had been eating Craisins regularly? I just found this info about them:

It’s true that alone and unadorned, cranberries are almost a perfect diet food, as they are high nutrition while being low carb, low calorie, and high fiber. Unfortunately cranberries are so tart that most people don't like them "in the raw" (though some do). As a consequence, most commercial cranberry products are loaded with sugar. This is especially true of dried cranberries, and that changes them from a very low carb fruit to a high carb choice.

 

[msmaui]

So, he had been eating Craisins regularly? I just found this info about them:

It’s true that alone and unadorned, cranberries are almost a perfect diet food, as they are high nutrition while being low carb, low calorie, and high fiber. Unfortunately cranberries are so tart that most people don't like them "in the raw" (though some do). As a consequence, most commercial cranberry products are loaded with sugar. This is especially true of dried cranberries, and that changes them from a very low carb fruit to a high carb choice.

Oh My God! That's horrible!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

WOW that is a very high blood sugar content! The craisins are high in sugar.
Good to know his liver & kidney enzymes are within standards though, that is important.
Was it the CPK levels/enzymes that were high in his leg? That indicates stress & or injury in a generalized area.
How much of the Metacam is he on, did she dose it correctly? That can affect him. Are you giving oral fluids?

Tracie

 

[msmaui]

I don't know what CPK levels are but she said the enzymes from his leg injury. If he injured it, I have no idea how. I did take his branch out the other night because he fell off of it and was just propped up in the corner with his belly facing me. That was after I'd taken him in for his leg though. Regarding the Metacam, she prescribed 0.2 ml twice a day. The only other things I'm giving him orally are his liquid calcium and Carnivore Care. I don't think I could get that syringe in his mouth one more time for anything. It's a terrible experience. He literally hates it. He is getting his daily bath though and his urates and poo are both runny. He's not in good shape today at all. He doesn't move around at all. I feel so sorry for him. When he's like this I really don't know if I'm doing him any favors. It has been almost 6 weeks since I first took him to a vet and he's not any better. If anything, he's worse.

 

[augustwst]

HEllo msmaui,

I'm gonna tell you the one thing that stuck in my mind on my post. It was from Tracie. DONT GIVE UP ON HIM! My Samson was sooo sick that everyone thought he was dead, including the vet techs. My vet wanted to put him to sleep at one point. Samson is not out of the weeds yet, but I can tell you what I've learned from the experience:

Educate yourself as much as you can.
Too much meds are BAD!
Hydrate, calcium, good lighting!
DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!

Here's an idea...I don't know if carnivore care has any plant matter in it, but I put a bunch of greens in my juicer and dropper them to Samson just so he can get some of the plant nutrients. You could probably use a blender and puree them and squeeze out the juice. Shoot it in with the jumpstart to wash it down. I've gone as far as blendering bugs. It's really sad when you have to force feed them when they're so sick, I know, I used to cry when I had to feed him. It took all the energy he had just to swallow. And that's all he did was sleep.

Also, you could ask your vet for a b12 shot. That seemed to help mine. Also, aren't there calcium shots that a vet can give, to give him a boost?

 

[msmaui]

On Saturday 11/15/09 I had to have Cinnamon put to sleep. He got to where he couldn't even drag himself a couple of inches. He didn't even raise his head anymore. He just laid on his rock day and night, even pooing there. I felt like I wasn't being fair to him keeping him alive in that condition. His first trip to the vet had been on 10/06 and even though he had a brief rally about a month ago, he had continued to go steadily down hill after that. It absolutely broke my heart and I've been totally devastated. Today's the first time I've been able to post here because I couldn't stand to talk about it. Actually, I still can't. I had him 4 1/2 years. He was the only dragon I've ever owned and I'll always love and miss him.

 

[diamc]

Oh, I'm SO sorry that Cinnamon got worse and needed to be put down but you did the right thing since he couldn't even move anymore and didn't even raise his head. When they get to the point of pooping where they are laying, that is definitely not a good sign because otherwise they would move as far away from it as they can. You tried everything you possibly could, I only wish we could have helped more. He had to know that you were trying desperately to help him. If you feel like talking, let us know or even send me a pm. I'm very, very sorry.

Perhaps this poem will help just a little:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

 

[vickson420]

I am very sorry to here about Cinnamon.I know you tried really hard to get him well and you did what you could for him.Please at least try to take some comfort in the fact that you did have him with you for 4 1/2years and he brought joy to you during that time.I do hope in time you are able to look back at your time with him and smile.In the end you did do what was best for him even though I know how much it hurt to do so.

 

[augustwst]

Oh my gosh, I'm sooo sorry! 4 1/2 years is a long time, but I know, when you love a pet, you want to have them around forever. At least know that You did everything that you could do for Cinnamon. I'm sure you will have many great memories of him. I know you will miss him. I'm so very sorry for your loss. HUGS.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh hon, I am so so sorry for your loss of Cinnamon. I understand how devastating that is. Poor guy. If you need anything at all, we are all here for you. It is never easy to lose a family member, & he will always be with you, always.


Tracie

 

[nesta's mommy]

so sorry for your loss

rip cinnamon