Huge Scare...Bad Bugs? Food Poisoning?

[fresnowitte]

Okay my scare started Friday evening when Zak began choking, coughing, then vomiting.

I thought I was loosing them... I was hysterical... I'm not ready to say good-bye. But... it was only Zak that had gotten sick not Wheezie. :? Wheezie had bright alert eyes and wasn't having any problems except he didn't like it much when Zak would tense up to vomit. Of course it was after vet hours and the vet is 2 hours away on top of that anyhow. I noticed that in the vomit there was an undigested super that I'd fed Zak earlier that day...as a matter of fact Zak at about 6 supers. Well I got some liquid down them and made sure that their tummy's were warmer than usual. The next morning when I got them up there was another half of worm laying next to Zak. But they were more than cooperative about basking...which they did for over 6 hours straight on Saturday which is really good for them. There was no more vomiting with Zak not coughing nothing and somebody pooped...but just acted like he had a belly ache. So I got em' some soy yogurt to settle their tummy. They love soy yogurt so it went down easy...then they had some chicken and veggie baby food which is what they ate when they first hatched. It's funny because they both really chowed it down like they remembered that flavor.

Anyway back to the story...No sooner did Zak start acting better an I was beginning to relax not feel so scared and worried....Blazie vomited all over his viv :shock: he'd been totally fine all day. All that came up were the supers none of the salad he ate or the roaches. Okay so I get him some soy yogurt and there was no need to warm his tummy he was already pressing his tummy against the warmest spot on his log. So in about an hour he's fine...but during that hour I notice that Checker's and Ms. Tiggs were acting as if they had a tummy ache. Okay so not only did I go thru thinking I was loosing Z&W but several more of my babies are not feeling well....Hmmmm... :idea:

Okay here's what I think happened....I normally grow my own supers...but we were running low on the adult size ones so thought sense we were in town we'd pick up a few from the pet store to replenish out bin...actually I placed them in a separate bin...these supers didn't look so well and there were alot of die offs...keep in mind the ones I grow I don't experience die offs so it was that I wasn't caring for them right. Anyway the beardies that got sick were the beardies that ate from this batch of worms. Everyone is okay today back to normal...eating, pooping, no more vomiting or signs of tummy aches. But was a scary and crazy thing to happen. So I guess it's safe to say beardies can get food poisoning too.

But I did learn a few things from this experience.

1) Remember Z&W's vet said they only had one stomach...then when I showed Dr. Wentz he said 2. Well I'm hear to tell you that I have to also agree with 2 even though I can't tell anything from the x ray and this is why....remember I said Zak was vomiting right? Okay if they only had one stomach would vomit not come out each mouth? Remember Wheezie acted perfectly fine. So I learn finally after over 2 years they have 2 stomachs.
1a) Therefore I was right about the poops if there are 2 tummies...I've always thought that it was Zak's poops in the morning that were large...and Wheezie's poop's in the later part of the morning that were smaller and more veggie content looking.

2) If bugs that you purchase look even the least bit questionable don't use them...they didn't look bad they just didn't look plump and juicy like I'm use to seeing.

3) Lastly I can tell you that beardie barf smell like human barf.

 

[Jasper's Mom]

Barbara, that must have been so scary! I'm so glad that everyone is OK.

 

[fresnowitte]

Thanks Sandi!
I really can not remember the last time I've been so scared.
But on the other hand I can't remember the last time I've felt so relieved either as I did today when everyone was back to normal. Wheew!

 

[sara24354]

Barbara,
That must have been so scary!!! Hugs to you and hope everyone is feeling better.Give them all a snuggle from us over hereLOLol
Hugs and bugs,
Sara

 

[Ruby2uesday]

Oh how awful!!! I'm glad they are all feeling better! I guess they literally did have a "Tummy Bug" didn't they?

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Glad all is well Barb. Is it possible that the one that takes the larger poops has his own stomach and the one with the smaller poops is shareing one? I dont know but those 2 amaze me.
Tom

 

[fresnowitte]

Sara scary was actually an understatement. It all came on so fast...an until the others started showing signs of upset tummies I thought...well let's just say the worst thoughts went thru my head. Poor Blaze had such a sad I feel miserable mommy look in his eyes. He still won't even look at a super worm poor baby. Tiggs finally ate a super last night she'd turned them down on Saturday which added to the way I was believing it was the worms as she never turns one down she will wake from a dead sleep if you were to dangle a super in front of her.

Hugs & Snuggles back at ya!

Thank-you Ruby2uesday!


Ahh! Tom why do ya gotta do that to me....now I'm going to start wondering again. :lol:

I imagine anything is possible...I'm just going by the poop and the pooping schedule...let me explain.

Every sense they were hatchlings they have pooped twice a day or more earlier on. Now keep in mind that Zak does eat more live feeders than Wheezie does...Wheezie eat more salad and a few soft bodied feeders.
Also Zak is usually the first one to become hungry and want to eat in the morning. The appearance of the poops the first one looks darker like more bugs/protein was taken in. The second poop is more veggie looking the green with bits of color from other veggies...but they both have healthy poop nothing I'm concerned with there. Whether it be both separately or in one. :?

Being the unique little creatures that they are I'm always wondering about things...where's this, what if, who feels this...who controls this...etc.... :roll:

 

[sara24354]

Barbara,
I can just imagine what went through your head.I can't imagine something happening to Alf let alone something happening to Zak-N-Wheezie. I would have been hysterical and Mark wouold have had to knock me out(if he's been able because I might have had to knock HIM out.) The poor dear I honestly wish you and everyone else here at BD.org could be a fly on my walls sometimes. I am no where near as bad as Mark,you see he has only read a little here and there,mostly if I'm reading something and he comes in to say hi when he gets off work so if something goes wrong(or he thinks it does) he panics and "Mama,come look at Alf and tell me if this is ok or weird." He worries more than I do,if that's possible. That's why I make a lot of my posts,"Why don't you make a post and see what everyone thinks?" I know I drive you all crazy,but it's for my own peice of mind,that way I can say "Barbara said......... or Diane said........etc.........

Anywho.....how is everyone doing now? Tummies all better? Give them all a snuggle from us.

Hugs and snuggles,
Sara

 

[fresnowitte]

Oh Sara I so understand what you mean...Frank is like the biggest worry wart....but I think even though we know it's best he doesn't post (you know the type A personallity :lol: ) I think he may read more than I do if that is at all possible. :shock:

Everyone seems to be fine this morning Z&W are a little slow going this morning but they look fine. I will continue with the soy yogurt today and a soft baby food diet for Z&W. Ms. Tiggs and Checker's are not any longer turning their noses up at the supers...so that's good. PVT Blaze just looks at me like "are you crazy woman!" :lol: Smart little creatures even without being able to speak were able to tell me what made them feel bad.

Once again I'm so grateful that I get to spend all day every day with them.

 

[sara24354]

Barbara,
Thanks for the update!! I am so glad the beardies are doing better today!! As much as I would like to see Zak-N-Wheezie in person,I would also like to meet the family that has given them so much love anbd helped them to thrive.Mark spends alot of his computer time reading about cars and stuff like that,not that there is anything wrong with that but he doesn't read much about beardies.Although I must admit,if not for him I would not have Alf and Freckles. A friend of ours had a beardie and I was playing with his snakes when Mark asked me to "come look at this" Darin beardie was head bobbing a turtle and I thought it was so cute. Mark asked what I would think about one of those for a pet............the rest is history. I started doing research on these adorable little critters and researched for probably 6 or 8 months,picked out one of Gina(from moonlight reptiles)babies and never turned back. She sent me pics of the entire clutch 2 or 3 times,but there was something about Alf that hit me from the first picture and now I have had my girl for 8 1/2 months(she was about 5 months old when I got her).Freckles was a gift and we love her too.(just can't handle her much but I try.) Sorry to hijack your thread,love you all and take care.
Hugs and bugs,
Sara

 

[Goonie]

Oh my lord! I would've had a panic attack, then a heart attack, then another panic attack if that ever happened to me.

What a relief that everybeardie's ok now. Thank goodness you're home to keep an eagle eye on them during the day (I would've called out sick from work).

Isn't it amazing how they're able to communicate to us with just a look? Those beady eyes tell so much.


As for buying live feeders from pet stores, I never buy anything that stinks or look strange in color. Also, if there are alot of dead bodies in the bin or container, I don't buy those either.



Give all the little sickies a big hug and kiss for me.

 

[fresnowitte]

Thanks Gina! Yeah it was quite scary. I had a couple of heart attacks on Friday night...
Yes it is amazing how much you can tell from your beardies eyes. :wink:

They seem to all be back to normal now...but I'll give then a big hug and kiss for you anyway it give me
another excuse. :lol:

 

[diamc]

Oh wow, what a scary weekend you had Barbara. Great to hear that they are all doing better now. So, they really like soy yogurt, what flavor? I tried the peach on Sabrina but I don't think she was too crazy about it.

Maybe you'll be able to sleep better tonight now that all their tummies are straightened out.

 

[fresnowitte]

Diane I was not aware that we could even use flavored soy yogurt... :?: ...that might make it easier for me :idea: to eat so it doesn't end up going to waste. It seems where I live the only soy yogurt you can get is in the 32 oz size...an they could never eat that much before it goes to waste therefore I'm always trying to force myself to eat some of it knowing it must be good for me...but the flavor of plain yogurt is nasty. :bleick: But my beardies all like the plain so that's good I'm going to assume. :wink:

Yes I will sleep much better tonight being they have all gone an entire day acting normal again. Whew!

 

[diamc]

I bought the O'Soy peach, I tried it and noticed it had a buttery type flavor, I didn't care for it either. Vicky said the blueberry isn't too bad so thought I would try that next. I was able to find the 6 oz cup size. One problem I have though is that I heat up their baby food so trying to get Sabrina to eat cold yogurt wasn't easy. :roll: I swear she looked at me and then looked at the microwave. The O'Soy comes in all these flavors: Blueberry,Chocolate, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, Vanilla. And is also available in a convenient Strawberry/Peach multipack with three 4oz cups of each flavor.
Strawberry & Peach
If you like bananas, you could try putting some in the plain yogurt, that might help you to get it down easier, just a thought.
Sweet dreams tonight. :wink: