Dexter... 3 years old and never knew what heat was.

[Goonie]

Still has the mouth sore? Poor Dexter, having to endure another round of antibiotics and rinse.

I'm so glad to hear that he's doing well and shedding. That means he's absorbing the proper nutrients and is growing.

Whenever you have a chance, I'd love to see new pics of him.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

How is everything?

 

[MeatHead]

Sorry we haven't posted in a while. Things have been hectic around here, Ken starting a new job, planning a wedding, and the typical day to day stuff.

Dexter is doing good. Has gone through a complete body shed. Took him outside the other day when it was really nice and sunny. Boy did he love it. He layed there all pancaked out and looking around.

We are still working on the mouth sore. I guess he's just had it for so long its really in there. He is done with his meds and now we are just using the oral rinse every day. Other than that he is doing amazing. He has to have frequent baths because he becomes easily dehydrated. I am guessing from the lack of nutrition from the last 3 years. But all in all he is a happy man in his new home with his new slaves.

 

[ChellyBeans]

Pictures?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

I agree.

 

[Goonie]

Thanks for the update on Dexter. I'm so glad that he's doing so well.

I'd love to see new pics of Dexter too . . . whenever you have a chance.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Me, too, pics, please :lol:

We are all pic hogs, espeically improvement when rescued pics.

So glad that Dexter is finally realizing what a dragon's life should be and having a great time healing. That's great that he did a complete shed, it's like starting over. I'ts such a joy to watch an animal that has been so badly treated, start to heal. It's such a wonderful feeling.

Keep us posted on his progress and yes, again, any pics would be appreciated!

Deb and my 5 spoiled dragons

 

[lovebeardeddragon]

Im glad he's doing good.

 

[MeatHead]

Well a few weeks ago Dexter took a turn for the worst and quit eating. On the third day of not eating, enough was enough and we took him back to the vet. The vet examined his mouth again and what he originally thought was bone deformation turned out to be mouth rot. A ton of mouth rot. So he removed it, which left Dexter with a very thin lower jaw. You could actually see his bones and muscle tissue, but it seemed to relieve his pain and Dexter sprung back to life and was ready to eat. The vet gave us even more antibiotics. I'm trying to stay strong here. The $170 vet visits every month aren't really bothering me, its the combination of forcing meds down his throat and the fact the when he starts to get better and put on weight, he takes a wrong turn somewhere and we end up back where we started. Like for instance, the past 2 weeks his mouth has been clean, his face looked like a completely normal healthy dragon after the rot removal, and now a few days later the mass on the side of his face has returned twice the size it was before. We think its a sist that ruptured. I'm thinking Dexter is going to need surgery to finally get over these mouth sores. He lost almost all of the weight he put on. So at this point he only weighs 30 grams more then the day we got him. I'm hoping he pulls threw, he is the most expensive pet store dragon I have ever owned lol. We are taking him to a different vet just to get another opinion. We found a herp specialists that thinks they can help us out and if he needs surgery they will give it to him (since the vet is about 3 hours from us) so wish us luck everyone!

 

[ChellyBeans]

Now THAT is dedication!

 

[Goonie]

Poor Dexter. I really hope he'll start putting on some weight and be well again soon.

Did the vet happen to tell you why Dexter keeps getting the mouth rot back?? Could his saliva have too bacteria? Could it possibly be linked to some type of intestinal thing, sort of like acid reflux???

 

[MeatHead]

Poor Dexter. I really hope he'll start putting on some weight and be well again soon.

Did the vet happen to tell you why Dexter keeps getting the mouth rot back?? Could his saliva have too bacteria? Could it possibly be linked to some type of intestinal thing, sort of like acid reflux???

He told us, and I'm paraphrasing here that he has a treatable mouth rot that is very aggressive to cure, but with the antibiotic he gave us that Dexter should be over it in about a month. As far as that goes the sores in his mouth look much better, the rot is not coming back that we know of, its the growth on the side of his poor face that keeps coming back... this time twice as big which is leading me to believe its a sist. You do pose good questions that I never thought to even ask so I will be ready to fire these at the vet, thank you.

 

[MeatHead]

Just as Ken posted before, slowly but surely he is getting there. One day at a time. He is starting to shed again which is good, its the second time he has shed since we got him. The vet said that it was calcium and bone decay. On the right side of his mouth half of his lower teeth and jaw are gone. So far so good, I do not see any signs that it is coming back. We are still giving med's and just as Ken said, I HATE forcing him. But the oddest thing is he gets SUPER bright after he gets his meds and I let him run around. I can tell he is getting stronger slowly because he will try to wiggle and force his way out of his burrito. He will also swipe at my hand as to say get that crap away from me. lol. He really is starting to form a personality. I still to this very day wish i could go back and beat the crap out of his old owners. I can't stand the way people treat animals. On the left side of his mouth is to what Ken and I believe to be a cyst. I have had a cyst before and I know how they act. When his vet removed all the deteriorated bone from his mouth I believe that the cyst ruptured. It was A LOT smaller and just one day it was back. I do believe that it has done that more than the one time. Dexter is due to go back to the vet within the next week - week and a half. I am going to discuss with them removing the cyst. I do believe it is causing discomfort for him. I am just hoping that he would be strong enough for the surgery.

But on a lighter note, he is back to eating well. He does have his days mind you but other than that he is good. He loves his hornworms and his wax worms to help him put on some weight. He enjoys running around the office as well. He is my big man.

 

[MeatHead]

Oh, and about the mouth rot/ bone deterioration. I think the vet said that it was due to his poor nutrition and living conditions that caused the bacteria. I can't remember, I was trying not to cry when they were holding him down and getting it out of his mouth. But they had to come up with a MEGA strong combination of meds to get rid of it.

 

[Goonie]

Thank you for updating us on how Dexter's doing.
I'm so happy for you and Ken that Dexter is eating and thriving, despite the yucky meds that he has to ingest. What a trooper! Hope the cyst will somehow dissolve on its own and he won't have to endure surgery.

Do you have any new pics of Dexter??