***EMERGENCY*** Beardie got too cold, not responding!

[skipeople]

Irwin was in bed with me last night and it was fine when we went to bed, but I woke up this morning and it was freezing!! He moved by crawling up under the covers, but when I finally got up and picked him up, he was limp. I rushed him to his cage to warm him up and I felt what seemed like a tiny heart beat, very slow though. I started a warm bath and when I went to put him in, the warmth shocked him and he threw his head back and his whole body tensed up and clenched tight. I moved him to the very shallow, cooler end and let him sit a little bit until his body felt warmer.

Honestly, I am not sure if he is dead or not. He still has his full color and he did pull in some water when he was in the bath, but could that happen in death too?

Okay, I touched his chin to check for response and he threw his head back again like a shocked him. His eyelids aren't responding to my touch and he is just sitting under his heat lamp. I already called the vet and she suggested watching him a bit and then bringing him in if he stays unresponsive to check for any major damage. Our stat said it was 70 in the apartment, but it felt much colder.

How long does it take to warm them back up and how can you check for life?!?!?!

 

[zandi202]

Does your house get below 65 at night? If not he should be fine. Beardies get very cold and still during the night but it is normal. Their breathing and heartbeat slows down. He should be fine.

 

[skipeople]

He became unresponsive and I took him to the vet where we decided to have him euthanized. She believes there was something silently going wrong with him and says it was not him being too cold like I suspected. He was only three. RIP buddy.

 

[zandi202]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

 

[AHBD]

I'm really sorry to hear this, what a sad day for you, and what a shock. A dragon at 60 degrees or so may be sluggish, but it would never kill them. I think what may have happened is that you possibly rolled on him during the night. Another poster had that happen last year and her dragon was dead the next day. Whatever it was, I'm really sorry !

 

[skipeople]

I wanted to have a necropsy done, but my parents said it was too expensive for what it would get me, so I went ahead and had him cremated. She also mentioned me possibly rolling on him. Him slept in my bed regularly and he was always left near my head, so it is possible, but I don't know how likely it would be. I have (obviously) never had a problem with that, even when taking naps and him laying on top of me.

I can't help but to feel guilty and 100% responsible. I just can't believe I lost my friend so suddenly. I love reptiles and want to get another, but I am afraid I will kill another wonderful animal.

 

[AHBD]

I'm sorry.....it's natural to feel guilty, but don't blame yourself. You loved the little critter, and we certainly never mean to hurt our loved ones, human or pets. You didn't mean to hurt him, if that's actually what happened. You deserve to have another pet, accidents happen to everyone so don't let it rob you of the joy of having another. You will know when the right time comes.