Losing hope here.. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Babybert]

Today we took our 7 month old beardie to the vet.. This was our second visit.. We got him from someone who didn't take proper care of him so of course he had a severe case of MBD. .. After getting the proper lighting for him and nursing him back to health , he still has what it looks like a hard time breathing.. He has a sunken in spine and the vet said there wasn't anything else we could do but put him down because that's the cause of his breathing issues .. I'm so attached to the guy that I was in hysterics ! Anything else I can do? Surgery ? ANYTHING?! He still eats everyday and plays and seems to be pretty happy other than the heavy breathing.. They checked for respiratory infection but no sign of it. Should I just give in and put him down?!

 

[pogvitt]

As long as he is eating and doing other normal dragon things maybe give it some time before you make a decision - if he is in a lot of pain or distress chances are he wouldn't have an appetite

 

[mikewithsfi]

I agree you can wait a little bit and see if his breathing gets better. If he is eating, playing, running around, and being a normal dragon other then the breathing, then why put him down. Like pogvitt said if he was in pain and very sick he would not eat, nor would he run around and play and be active.

He may live a very happy full life with his breathing the way it is...

 

[Babybert]

Thanks guys. Makes me feel alot better. I will just continue to watch him. Fingers crossed

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Absolutely not, he sounds happy right now. He is eating & basking so there is no reason to put him down. A lot of dragons learn to adapt to different physical ailments & do just fine.
What is your set up like, which UVB light do you use now? Did the vet prescribe liquid calcium for him, too?
Do you have any pictures of him?

Tracie

 

[Babybert]

His set up is a large glass tank .. It was the bearded dragon XL tank by zilla? Or one of those brands. He has a reptisun 10.0 and yes I did get liquid calcium but would it be over doing it if I'm still dusting with reptical plus vit D too? He also gets herptivite 2-3 times a week. Yes I have pics. I'm still trying figure out how to post it thank you everyone for the positivity !! Very much appreciated. I would just hate to lose him now! I'm willing to do anything it takes, and I can't stand the jerks around me who act like in nuts for taking him to the vet. Do they do surgery for this kind if thing?

 

[Burra]

I agree with everything everyone else said. It's all about quality of life, if he is still eating, basking, pooping, and is happy, then he is not suffering or in pain. He may just need to breathe that way, it doesn't necessarily mean he is in distress.

I would also find another vet. Euthanasia shouldn't be taken lightly, and although it is an option in your case (I guess), he should also have discussed all of these quality of life issues with you as well.

Good luck, and I hope he continues to do well!