I'm sad to say Spike passed away this morning.....so so sad. He had improved a few weeks back but was not 100% but was finally eating on his own worms and salad. We had a friend watch him for a few days last weekend when we thought he was doing far better (who had watched Spike before) and when we got back last Monday Spike seemed not so well again. After a few days of nursing him again I thought he would get better, then he
black bearded late Thursday-so yesterday I got new antibiotics from the Vet because he seemed to get terribly worse quickly. I was able to feed him baby food in the morning but could barely get his mouth open later for the antibiotics. He clearly was in distress and this morning he kept trying to move away from his heat and hide in a cold, dark spot. He started to gasp dramatically for air a few times. Didn't like when I tried to pick him up. Then I think he took his last breaths and peacefully (I hope) passed. We had rushed him to the vet and they said he was gone.
The hardest part is that I understand more now that Beardies seem to hide their illness until it's too late. But when I think back I realize that there may have been a sign or two? I know it's so hard to figure out. I had read about their back legs shaking somewhere and although at the time I thought it was calcium related (and it seemed to disappear when we ensured his calcium intake and UVB)-it may have been a big clue to his eventual seizures and illness. He also never got to be outdoors much because we live in the Northeast. Maybe that was an issue...I'm just so sad. He also began to be a little slower when trying to eat his crickets...all these little signs that seemed indifferent at the time...maybe they were something?
Spike was only 3 1/2 years old...he should have had many more years with us ;-( The Vets make it so hard financially to bring in exotics when they are sick. With that, this site I will be ever grateful for because all of you really came through and helped me with Spike when I needed advice. The handful of you that take the time to read about our Beardies says so much about this great little community.
They are special little ones and there is so much to know and understand about them...I cringe when I think of how the pet stores just "sell" the Beardies without real info. So thank you again for all....
RIP Spike-we love you xo