Perry, my 5 mo old beardie hasn't been doing very well for the last week or so. I have had him for about a month and he was "healthy" and happy when I got him. Just under two weeks ago he stopped eating. At first I could force feed him worms but he eventually began spitting them out. I was syringe feeding him for the last week or so and he seemed to be doing ok until last night. He seemed more lethargic and went to bed early. This morning he has been lifeless. Thank God I had an appointment with the vet today all ready set up. They said that he has MBD and that his kidneys are probably shutting down. He may die!! We went over the husbandry and everything that I was doing. They said that everything looked good, and that I was probably a little too generous with the calcium supplements (which actually turned out to be a good thing.) After reviewing everything, they said it was probably from improper care before I got him. Which means the breeder that I got him from did not keep him under proper lighting and was not supplementing his diet nor making sure he stayed hydrated.
WHY ON EARTH would someone breed their dragon if they were not going to provide proper care?!?!? That just makes me sick! I am so attached to him and my nephew, who cried for two days when his fence lizard died that he only had a week, is going to be devastated if he doesn't make it. Luckily, because I have been properly supplementing with the calcium and vitamins, his MBD is very minor but there is not much to do about the kidneys, except for supportive care. I got some carnivore care, liquid calcium and antibiotics (for parasites). I brought in a fecal sample but it was too dry to test, so they began treatment for parasites just in case. The antibiotics are .01cc of Trimethaprim-sulfa 1 x per day for 21 days.
Can anyone offer any advice that might increase his chance for survival?
His husbandry is perfect. His temps are good 80-110. He has an MVB and is on paper towel. I moved him to a smaller enclosure because it is easier to clean. I have to clean everything, every time he poops or at least once a day. He will be eating the carnivore care and I will be supplementing with the liquid calcium. He looks so lifeless