Dragon flipping onto back constantly, lethargic

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is Steve doing today? It sounds like he is enjoying getting some food & fluids into him. That's great he liked the Reptaboost then. I am sure he is worn out though, his body has been through a lot.
Hopefully you will get your new lights soon then. It's frustrating waiting so long for something then having to re-order!
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[SilverGravity]

We finally found a probe thermometer that we picked up, and Steve also went to the vet today. Honestly, it wasn't very helpful. She just told us what we already knew, and that we could either put him down or keep trying, but of course we're not putting him down. We could have done blood work, but I don't think Steve have enough fluids to lose. We asked for shots, and he got vitamin and fluid injections. We had to ask for how much water to give him, and they said 10-15 cc. Is that right? It just seems like a lot to be giving him in one day, but I'm not sure. They said he was pretty dehydrated, his eyes are starting to look sunken.

He perked up a bit in the car with the heat and sunlight, so I'm hoping once the UVB lights come in it'll really help him out. The vet was very pessimistic, she didn't see much hope for him. She also said his spine was deformed, and she's not sure if he'll ever totally get better since he was deprived of so much. I really don't want to give up on him though, and I can't believe they could have gotten a completely accurate assessment on him in the 20 min we were there, and probably half of that was us asking for shots or other information. The rooms were cold, so he wouldn't have been very active when they saw him.

She gave us anti-inflammatory medication to make him more comfortable, but she said that it would hurt his kidneys but that he was probably close to going anyway. He seems to be doing better though, I don't want to hurt him with it if he could get better, especially since she thinks he already probably has kidney issues. I looked up natural anti-inflammatory things, and found serrapeptase, so should maybe get that for him instead? I read it has no side effects and couldn't hurt them, but I don't know if it will help?

Also would I be able to mix in calium powder with his reptaboost, or can that not be mixed with water? I don't think there would be an issue, but I wanted to be sure. We couldn't find liquid calcium, and though he eats the dusted crickets, he probably needs more calcium than he's getting with them.

 

[AHBD]

At least the vet didn't try some aggressive + expensive treatment that wouldn't be helpful. You can get Serrapeptase from Drache613 [ Tracie] And yes, you can add a little bit calcium powder to the Reptaboost. Try making some smoothies out of turnip, mustard, collard greens + squash to mix with the Reptaboost since he likes it. I think 10 cc's of water is reasonable, maybe a bit less. If he'll drink 10, that's fine. He may be in bad shape but no one can say for sure whether he'll bounce back to an extent + stay around for a while. You're doing a great job with Steve.

 

[SpacialCoogs]

we believe in you and Steve.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I think you are doing a wonderful job with Steve. I am sorry it's so rough for him!
Definitely keep trying though, especially if keeps trying too. You just never know how much he may be able to progress with your help.
I agree, 10mls would be plenty I think, if he will take that much. Can you get him to drink out of a dish on the floor by swirling your finger around in it so he sees that it is there? Or put a plastic dish/lid on the floor & pour the water in slowly while he is watching to see if he is interested too.

Keep us posted on him.
Tracie

 

[AriannaWyer]

Hi,

I've been eagerly reading this thread in between yard work, and I just wanna say I'm cheering you and Steve on~

 

[SilverGravity]

So I've got him outside, and he's a lot more alert and active now that he's out here, but he's also wanting nothing to do with the sun. He stresses and shoves himself into the nearest dark corner as soon as I move him to the sunny part of the towel. He opens his mouth a lot whenever I put him into the sun, but he doesn't want to be there.

I haven't had him drinking from his water dish although he has one, but I'll try.

Also- his nostrils keep closing up? Yesterday his left nostril seemed to be blocked, but when we got him back from the vet it was clear, so I assumed it was fixed whatever it was, but it's been doing it again today?

 

[AHBD]

That's great that your're getting him outside. The towel would be too hot, put him down in the grass. Nostrils shed like the rest of the body, sometimes that clogs up for a few days but shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is Steve doing?
I am sorry he doesn't seem to like the sunshine very much. Sometimes they have a hard time adjusting to higher UVB levels & heat when they have been deprived of it in the past. Does he avoid heating/light in his tank or just in the sun?
It can look like the nostrils are clogged if they close them, then open them again. Are his nostrils looking like they are going to shed?
I hope that he continues to improve for you.
I think the Serrapeptase would be much safer for him to use long term than the pain killer or anti-inflammatory.

Tracie

 

[SilverGravity]

Best improvement yet!! I walked in to turn his lights on for the day and he immediately lifted his head with open eyes and I was impressed because he never was that alert, especially this early in the day, but then he actually turned around, very ungracefully, and almost WALKED. He usually shoves himself around and often crashes into things because he has such bad control over where he goes, but he actually put his feet flat on the ground and actually kind of walked, and ended up where he wanted, not crashing into anything. Even after that he had his head up and eyes open and was looking at me. Just 20 min of sunlight yesterday and a couple of shots and good food and he's already almost walking!! I've never seen him walk!

He also doesn't avoid heat much in his tank, he does sometimes but he is also under it sometimes, so he's just choosing how warm he wants to be I guess.

His nostrils don't look like they're going to shed, but I think he might just be closing then on his own for some reason, since it never looks like there's anything in it, it just always looks like maybe something is swollen and blocking it but then it's back to normal in a little bit.

I'm so excited for him!!

 

[mamakintobeardie]

I just read this entire string. I want to say that you are doing a fantastic job with this guy and that you have some sort of career in veterinary medicine in your future!!! Keep up the great work with Steve!

 

[Betty53218]

I've been following this thread, and I'm so excited for Steve! You are doing a great job with him. My heart goes out to these poor beardies that come out of bad situations like this. They deserve so much better. I am so glad that you were kind enough to rescue this sweet boy! Prayers going out for Steve for a complete recovery.

 

[SilverGravity]

Thank you guys! And he even is starting to eat on his own again. I gave him some greens and although it was was very shaky and he was having a bit of a hard time, he did manage to actually eat. Then he walked away again; he didn't get that high off the ground, in fact I think a part of him was always resting on the ground, but he was properly walking, just was very weak with it. As soon as he's had a bit of time to rest and digest I'll take him outside to get some more sunlight and make use of that calcium powder.

 

[SteelFox]

So happy to hear that he is improving!

 

[AHBD]

That's really good to hear ! I know you must be sooooo happy ! Keep up the good work, and the sun is really good for him but be sure to put him in the grass so he can be comfortable.