Java's Illness

[DracoLord510]

Good morning
My beardie Java just got back from urgent care after spending a night in the ER. He threw up a bunch of black sludge after a bath on Sunday so we took him in. He's become increasingly listless and pale, and his fat pads are sinking. He's not interested in food or water, and his left front leg appears to be useless at this point. Java was given several antibiotics and something for stomach bugs and given a swab of his vent to check for parasites.

I don't know what to do with the little guy. I can't stand to see him hurting and weak, but at the same time I don't know how to help, and I don't think my wife and I have the strength to euthanize him after losing our female beardie two months ago. I just need some advice on what to do...am I selfish for hoping Java makes a decision on his own when we are at work today? Is it bad I don't want to take him in to urgent care where he will be alone in a back room somewhere, possibly to die alone?

 

[DracoLord510]

Java is a two year old male beardie. He is fed dusted crickets every other day along with mixed veggies. He lives in a 50 gallon tank with a 100w PowerSun bulb and a red heat lamp for night time. I really love my little guy.

 

[AHBD]

Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear this. Is his beard black right now ? What were the first symptoms before it started and was he eating well before ? Does he drink ? Is it possible he ate something toxic either in or out of his tank ? Can you post pics of him as well as his set up ? Here's how:
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/
Then hit the XIMG button

I hope he can be helped....it's O.K to let him rest + see what happens, don't make a snap decision.

 

[DracoLord510]

I'll see if I can post pics at home I'm stuck at work. Java was not eating for about a week before he threw up, immediately after a soak in the sink. He pulled himself out of the sink and threw up a liquid black substance. He turned pale and his beard was jet black. It has since gotten better and is substantially less dark, and his color is a bit better. He's laying without really holding himself up too much, kind of draped over his log. He previously ate pretty well (crickets and roaches) and would eat veggies, but only when we didn't look. He had a drink from his spray bottle every night and usually drank pretty well.

 

[DracoLord510]

Java on the way to the vet

Java on the way home

Java on his log underneath his light

 

[DracoLord510]

I don't think Java ate anything toxic inside his tank, and he is not out of his tank to roam free so it's not likely he got anything that way. Thank you for your help, it's horrible being at work without him. I love Java to bits and I want him to pull through.

 

[AHBD]

He actually looks pretty good considering ! If he's on a loose substrate, [ I can't tell for sure ] get rid of it. So, sometimes vomiting is caused by obstruction [ blockage ] or it can be severe case of coccidia or even severe salmonella. Some vets would even test the vomit as well as the feces since there are a lot of types of harmful bacteria/bugs. Does he seem a little better after the nausea meds. ? Try giving him a bit of baby food turkey + squash later or ask your vet for Critical Care formula, but water everything down before giving it to him, just a little at a time if he'll take any. Best wishes, hope he can come around !

 

[DracoLord510]

Yes, Java has been on sand his whole life, previously CalciSand, now on the Reptisand by Zoo Med. We can look into changing it this weekend. I will get him some baby food on the way home and see if we can feed him some. His good/bad fluctuates, where his color has returned to looking pale but he is a lot better than after he threw up. After he perks up a bit, we might take him to the vet to have his left leg looked at. His front right and back legs seem to work fine enough but he just seems weak.

 

[Mordecai]

I'm so sorry your little guy is sick. I don't have any advise as I am new to beardies but know what we are hoping for the best for you and your little guy.

 

[AHBD]

When was the last time he poo'd ? He could actually be impacted from the calcium sand. It can turn in to a sludge like substance if ingested over a period of time. If you Google " calcium sand impaction " you'll see some very disturbing stories along with photos . Not to say that's what it is for sure, but it may be. I'm not sure about the foot problem though. Any way he could have injured it ?

 

[DracoLord510]

He poo'd around 4-5 days ago, though he poo'd in the tub Sunday but it was runny.

 

[DracoLord510]

I'm not sure on injuries, the leg seemed limp after I picked him up from the vet but he managed to climb onto my shoulder from my chest and hang on. Additionally, he climbed out of his carrier in the car and sat on the seat to watch me for a few minutes before he climbed back into it.

 

[DracoLord510]

Thank you all for your concern and help. We just lost our female beardie in February due to egg binding and I can't stand to lose my big guy. I love seeing him every morning and I love his personality. It will break my heart if he doesn't pull through.

 

[AHBD]

You're welcome. I hope he continues to improve....if he continues to vomit you might want to get X-rays to be sure there's no impaction. It sounds like he's doing better though.

 

[DracoLord510]

He seems to be doing okay this morning. He ate some chicken and potato baby food mixed with calcium powder and spent most of the day basking. He hasn't thrown up at all since Saturday when we took him in. Still kind of lazy but I suppose he always has been. Also drank some water (had to open his mouth and put it in with a syringe but he willingly swallowed both the food and the water.)