HELP! beardie unexpected death :( not sure of cause :(

[amyyy]

Hi, I'm new on the board! I had 2 beardies, male called tiger aged 2, and female called dolly aged 3, both kept in a large terranium with everything in it; heatmat, UV light, heat lamp, water bowl, etc. We fed them the correct foods at the right times/intervals, locusts, mealworms and veg, the water bowl, and the tank are always kept clean, no dead insects or poo lying around! The beardies have always been happy, running round and always being loved, and last night they were both their usual selves. They both have a good appetite, although lately the female beardie has been eating nowhere near what she normally does, but she has been eating.

Then, when I woke up, the female beardie dolly, was lied in the terranium with her front legs out, her mouth a bit open, and her eyes half shut and a little glazy, at first i just thought she was half asleep or basking, so i picked her up thinking she might wake up and she was dead ):
She felt warm, but her eyes were all sunken and slighty opague on the skin around, her beard was very slightly black, her stomach underneath was going slightly inwards, and her mouth and tongue were really dry (no moisture there at all) I've no idea what's caused this! I'm really upset this was so unexpected Any more info needed & I'll say!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh I am very sorry about your loss of your girl! Offhand, sudden deaths are often hard to determine without a necropsy.
It could have been liver or kidney failure, possibly. Could she have been having egg binding problems? How long was Tiger & Dolly housed together & did they mate?

Tracie

 

[amyyy]

Thankyou for your reply!
Thankyou
We were talking about the possibilty of kidney or another organ failiure. The female beardie lived in the terranium on her own for about a year, then the male one was housed with her, so they've been together for just less than 2 years! I'm worried about my male beardie now, cos he always lies near the heatmat or in the corner of the terranium and at the moment hes in the spot the female used to go, and he's really quiet and going to sleep, I hope he doesn't start being off

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, give Tiger more attention & right now his tank is different because Dolly is gone. So he may have a little bit of stress because they tend not to like change. I would watch him pretty close too & if he exhibits any odd behavior you should get a fecal done on him, & a little check up to make sure he is ok.
Genetic problems can cause kidney or liver failure, too.

Tracie