I NEED IMMEDIATE HELP, PLEASE!!

[coastergirl946]

Lately Curt has been shedding, and not pooping unless bathed with a belly rub. I gave him a bath yesterday, and a bunch of tiny little red things came out with it. The last few times he's went, he has strained and black bearded.
Today, I gave him a bath to help him shed. I noticed he was straining to poop, so I gave him a few drops of olive oil with an eyedropper. This is where everything went terribly wrong.
HE BIT THE GLASS EYE DROPPER AND SWALLOWED A PIECE OF GLASS. Then he proceeded to poop, and threw up the olive oil along with some half-digested crickets, and stopped breathing and went completely limp. I thought for sure he had died, but he woke up.. he keeps closing his eyes. His entire belly, upper arms, under eyes, and tail tip are pitch black and he is laying here on my leg with his eyes shut, breathing slowly. He won't leave my side, and I'm terrified he's going to die.
His bulbs, temps, and everything else are correct. I don't know what to do for him. He's my boyfriend's pet and he trusts me to take care of him.. I feel like this is my fault and I hate myself. Please help me.

 

[kimmie]

I don't know about what anyone else would say/do, but I'd take him to the vet ASAP and explain what happened.

 

[minipumpkin]

vets asap

 

[AHBD]

I agree, vet ASAP. All the blackness means extreme distress. Hopefully he threw up the piece of glass. In the future, get a syringe that is plastic. As for now, I would keep him warm [ not extremely hot ] and get him to a vet. When he originally pooped the red things, I'm thinking they may have been worms. I'm truly sorry and hope for the best outcome !

 

[AHBD]

As nasty as this sounds, can you quickly look through the vomit to see if the glass is there ? That would be a huge relief...if you could see that piece. Still needs help from a real reptile vet, a regular vet may know what to do.

 

[greathouseFarm]

It sounds like an extreme impaction may have occurred before he bit the syringe. You said he hadn't pooped at that point. I hope I am writing in vain and you have already gone to the vet. If you haven't and he is still alive and responsive I would continue to give him the warmest baths to wrist test temp. And if you can manage to get him to swallow some apple sauce with a bit of olive oil mixed in it wouldn't hurt. He probably threw up because everything was backed up. Please update us! We are all a bunch of worry worms...

 

[coastergirl946]

I called the vet yesterday and he said that when Curt puked, he most likely puked up the piece of glass too. I have never seen Curt puke before, but I am still worried about the piece of glass and where it may be.. I pray it isn't inside him. Neither I nor the boyfriend have the money to take him to the vet.. he is now kicking himself for not being a better owner and considering giving him to someone who can give him a better life.
I put him back in his viv to warm up yesterday, and he stayed dark and motionless for a long time, but his eyes were still open. His colors improved gradually, but that's all the update I have for right now.
I was only trying to help him poop.. I can not believe this happened.

 

[AHBD]

Don't beat yourselves up....by the way, how old is Curt, , about how big is he? How much does he generally eat, and about how often does he have a bowel movement ? Larger dragons don't go as often as small dragons, and constant bathing isn't necessary, especially this time of year if his eating has slowed down. Don't get too worried about him shedding either, a good spray twice a day will help with that. You can also give him a drink that way, by spraying or dripping the water gently on his nose. That's the way I've done for many years. Sometime we can mess with them too much when they can take care of things on their own. Keep him warm, let him rest, and see how it goes from there.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Were you able to get him to a vet?
How is Curt doing today? Do not feed him any solid foods at all. Continue with a liquid diet right now, since he is having impaction trouble. They have an uncanny ability to bite at things, no matter what matter they are.
Please keep us posted on him!

Tracie

 

[coastergirl946]

I'm not squeamish, I did pick through all the vomit.. saw no piece of glass. I'm thinking it was in the sink.. I've been praying every second of this day that said piece of glass is not inside him and that I missed it somehow. It was an awfully small piece, but unfortunately not small enough to not do any damage if God forbid he ingested it.
What liquid foods would you guys suggest? I don't have an update for you at this time as I am now back home and the boyfriend is at work, but I'd really like to know how to help him and convey this information to my boyfriend.

 

[AHBD]

I've heard people make a slurry out of greens, but I've never done it. I guess something along those lines...or very watered down baby food like squash, turkey, etc. Or try dripping the water on his nose to let him drink on his own. Is he an adult ? Does he have good weight, size ?

 

[coastergirl946]

He's about 3-4 years old, and 15 inches long from nose to tail tip.. he's a big boy!
I nearly cry every time I remember seeing him the way he was last night. It ripped me to pieces to see him so dark with terrible stress marks and his eyes shut.. I went to gently take him off my shirt and he would not let go of me for anything. I was typing my original post last night with him on my shoulder and tears rolling down my face. I hope none of you ever have to see your babies like that.

 

[greathouseFarm]

Well the good and the bad of it is that most of us have been through some sort of illness or trauma with at least one of our babies.
That is why we strive to be there for you and others in their time of need.

Since you can't get him to a vet I think that it's important that we try and go back over everything step by step. We need to rule out any other possible causes for his lethargy. Lets not worry about the lost piece of glass for now as it's out of our hands.

So first, when was the last time he actually had a bowel movement? Has he eaten anything or have you tried to feed him anything since? If so what was it? What are is tank conditions. Size, check his lights and describe them to us. Temperature and Humidity readings... It would help if you could get your boyfriend to tell you the details. What substrate? Etc...

Have you noticed anything else different? Is he holding his head up at all? Making funny noises? The warm baths and olive oil/apple sauce can't hurt and if he is impacted it could save his life.

Tracie please chime in if I missed anything...

 

[AHBD]

He needs the heat to help him keep his metabolism going, so resist the impulse to have him out with you, after all his straining to poop and his vomiting, he needs heat and lots of rest. I'd give his stomach a rest for a day or two at least, but keep him very warm.