Java's Illness

[AHBD]

Well that's great ! Hopefully he's going to be O.K. Be sure he always has time to digest his food and as a precaution you should get rid of the calcium sand.

 

[DracoLord510]

Thanks! We are feeding him after work (Around 5:00PM, his bedtime is around 10:00). He has a brand new bulb (PowerSun 100W) to keep him warm plus a new nighttime heat lamp to keep his temperature up. Crossing my fingers for the best.

 

[DracoLord510]

The post below will include poo pictures!

Java seems to continue to improve. He has kept nearly all of his food down (we give him turkey/sweet potato baby food mixed with his calcium powder daily), with the exception of a small spit up/vomit this morning, but nothing serious. He is drinking water again as well, and seems to have some use of his left front leg back.

In other good news, we may have found the culprit: when giving the little guy a bath yesterday he pooped for the first time in probably two weeks and produced an absolutely massive poo which I will include below. His color is much better and he's his normal brown and cream self instead of pale. I really hope this is a sign my little dragon is turning a corner.

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[DracoLord510]

Poo picture - you are warned!

http://s1344.photobucket.com/user/p...[user]=136162495&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

 

[AHBD]

I'm so glad to hear that he's doing better + better ! Hope this was no more than an impaction and that he'll not have any more problems. Did you get rid of the calcium sand ? That may well have contributed to it. And BTW, the pic didn't show up. Here's the info to post pics :
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/
Then hit the XIMG button.

 

[DracoLord510]

Java doesn't seem to be improving too much. He's still getting fed baby food (turkey, chicken and sweet potato, and mixed veggie) daily, mixed in with a bit of calcium powder. He has to be force-fed and doesn't take the food on his own, though he swallows with no problems. He's also given water in the same way. His poos have been mostly liquid and urate, though this may be normal as he's being fed liquid-y food. After eating he has an extra heating bulb turned on for a bit to help him digest. We are also giving him a bath every few days. He seems particularly lethargic in the morning when we wake him up.

I just don't know what do to. Part of me wants to take him to the vet...again...but a big part of me doesn't, because I don't want him to die alone in an incubator miles away from his family who loves him deeply. I don't know how much he's going to improve, but I'm okay feeding him by hand daily if I have to.

When we got Java two years ago he was the tiny beardie nobody at the store wanted and he became such a sweetheart and a cuddle bug. I'm in love with the little guy and I don't want to say goodbye yet...

 

[DracoLord510]

Anyone have anything else to say or to help?

 

[DracoLord510]

http://s1344.photobucket.com/user/patri ... ml?filters[user]=136162495&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

I can't get the picture upload to work, you should be able to copy and paste the link...

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm unable to see the photos on photobucket. It may be worth trying to get him to poop at the vet and then check it out under a microscope right away to check parasites and flagellates. If there is enough to bottle up it could be set off to a lab for more detailed analysis. In the meantime I'd keep up with the baby food and extra fluids.

 

[DracoLord510]

We helped Java cross over to Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He fell off his log and became unresponsive, and we both felt it was better for us to help him pass than let him suffer anymore.

Thank you to the few people who responded.

 

[AHBD]

Oh no, I'm sooooo sorry ! I know that you cared so much for him and have lost several pets in a short time, so what a blow to your family. You did all you could, there must have been some serious unknown problem. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

 

[DracoLord510]

Thank you...I don't know what all went wrong but my wife and I are going to take care of our birds and stay away from reptiles for a while. I don't think we are able to provide them with the care they need and I can't help but feel guilty for Java's passing. I feel closure that he was able to cross over with us by him yesterday (on my birthday) and that he's with his friend Lola now, but I'm finding it difficult to do work today. I remember getting him when we were told he was mean and wouldn't make a good pet and he ended up such a cuddle bug. All I hope is that he had a happy life and knew how very loved he was.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm sorry to hear this =(. I know how tough it is to lose a dragon and the guilt that can come with it. Know that you did your best and I'm sure he appreciated the care you gave him. I understand the need to take a break for a while too.