I am at my wits end agonizing over my poor beardie, Mr. Lizard
He is 4 years old. I bought him at a reptile expo in December 2013 and he was a little baby, maybe couple months. He was missing a leg and we felt sorry for him so we bought him along with another female. The female died suddenly and sadly during the following year when we had returned home from work out of state for 4 months. (left her in care that we trust) so her sudden death was odd and also confusing as I was unable to observe any symptoms leading up to it.
Up until 2 months ago, Mr Lizard was doing great. I left for a weeklong trip on Sept 6th, had his lights on a timer, left him in the care of a friend. When I returned home on Sept 12th, I noticed that he did not eat ANY of his beardie bites. They were all crusty on the floor of his cage. He had been eating them every day for me prior, so this sudden change was very odd. He loved eating flukers grasshoppers and crickets however, so he got those to eat. I offered him beardie bites but he was never again interested. I offered him some veggies and fruit on occasion and he was only minorly interested. He'd eat a few bites, thats it. I also noticed he started sleeping more. At first this wasn't a major concern but after about a week I started my online research. The temps had just started changing here in Louisiana so I figured brumation. I read this could last a while. Seeing no other worrying symptoms, I figured this was it. However, one time I reached into his cage to feed him a grasshopper and he had a weird difficulty taking it from me. He seemed disoriented like he couldnt figure out where to flick his tongue to catch it. I put it in his vision on the side of his head, and he then took it. I noted it was odd, but he'd never done it before so I wasn't too worried. About a week later, we returned home from the grocery store with some kale for him. My gf reached into his cage and he put his head WAY back, his beard flared up, his eyes rolled back and he was moving uncontrollably. He was not in control of his movements, and we think it was some sort of seizure. He was moving his arms alot and then it subsided. We were VERY concerned. We didn't want to disturb him anymore after this stressful event so we let him be and discussed what to do. Did online research. Next morning, I tried to feed again, same thing. Minor seizing event with head back and arms flailing. He was not doing well. He then mentally seemed to not be there anymore. We were very distressed. Made the decision to maybe euthanize, he wouldnt respond to crickets or a bath or anything. He was limp. His eyes didn't respond to movement or stimuli. Before we made our final decision, I tried to give him water to drink through a needleless syringe. He drank. I got my hopes VERY high. I even went so far as to make him a "bug smoothie". Water, pedialyte, squashed calcium dusted crickets, smashed beardie bites and two smashed superworms. He has only drank this for days. Upon more online education, learned that UVB lights have to be changed every 6 months and cannot have plastic in front of them. I inspected my UVB to find the manufacturer placed PLASTIC ON THE FIXTURE!!!! I was absolutely enraged. I ripped off the plastic. Went and bought a new reptisun 10.0 from pet smart. Got a thermostat with probe just to be positive of his temps. (his temps were good). I was now sure he is getting proper UVB and temps, was getting fluids and calcium, and just held on hoping. I saw no improvement in a couple days. In fact a new symptom popped up. Head tilting and walking in a wide circle. Took him to vet. She did a very thorough examination and asked many questions. She does not have a very good outlook for him. I suspected MBD, she doesnt think its that bc he has good weight, bone structure and muscle tone. He is dehydrated, so I have been soaking for 20 minutes each day. She thinks it may be adenovirus in which case there is not much hope. I am thinking that I will make the call to euthanize either tomorrow or next day bc after all this supportive care, I see no improvement I am very worried that he is suffering. I also don't want to throw in the towel too quickly. I don't know what else to do
His list of symptoms starting in order of appearance:
1.Decreased/selective appetite (only wants grasshoppers, and eagerly eats them)
2. Lethargy, sleeping more and mostly on cool side of cage
3. one episode of strange reaction trying to catch grasshopper from my fingers
4. Extreme seizing reaction to kale, head tilted way back, beard flared, uncontrolled movements
5. Bowel movement day after first seize. had urate, but looked a bit slimy and I suspected maybe bloody? I thought maybe a dark reddish hue. Unsure. Then another seizing episode, less severe
6. Mental blankness. Eyes don't respond. Won't respond to live crickets or a worm
7. Very weak, limp to pick up. No response to warm bath
8. Restless in cage. Sleeps short periods, then moves around as if uncomfortable
9. Responded to being offered liquid in syringe, drank.
10. Tilted head and walking in wide circles.
From the first seizure, all of these things happened within about 4 or 5 days. Vet visit yesterday. Soak baths yesterday and today. Doesn't want the prescribed liquid diet from vet. Doesn't want plain water. Only drinks my little bug smoothie. Mental blankness. Always has dark beard and tail. Labored breathing. Restless in his tank. He has SO many symptoms that all seem to crossover with potential illnesses or sicknesses. My poor Mr. Lizard I am just so vexed as to how he has gone down so fast. And I feel like it is all my fault
He is 4 years old. I bought him at a reptile expo in December 2013 and he was a little baby, maybe couple months. He was missing a leg and we felt sorry for him so we bought him along with another female. The female died suddenly and sadly during the following year when we had returned home from work out of state for 4 months. (left her in care that we trust) so her sudden death was odd and also confusing as I was unable to observe any symptoms leading up to it.
Up until 2 months ago, Mr Lizard was doing great. I left for a weeklong trip on Sept 6th, had his lights on a timer, left him in the care of a friend. When I returned home on Sept 12th, I noticed that he did not eat ANY of his beardie bites. They were all crusty on the floor of his cage. He had been eating them every day for me prior, so this sudden change was very odd. He loved eating flukers grasshoppers and crickets however, so he got those to eat. I offered him beardie bites but he was never again interested. I offered him some veggies and fruit on occasion and he was only minorly interested. He'd eat a few bites, thats it. I also noticed he started sleeping more. At first this wasn't a major concern but after about a week I started my online research. The temps had just started changing here in Louisiana so I figured brumation. I read this could last a while. Seeing no other worrying symptoms, I figured this was it. However, one time I reached into his cage to feed him a grasshopper and he had a weird difficulty taking it from me. He seemed disoriented like he couldnt figure out where to flick his tongue to catch it. I put it in his vision on the side of his head, and he then took it. I noted it was odd, but he'd never done it before so I wasn't too worried. About a week later, we returned home from the grocery store with some kale for him. My gf reached into his cage and he put his head WAY back, his beard flared up, his eyes rolled back and he was moving uncontrollably. He was not in control of his movements, and we think it was some sort of seizure. He was moving his arms alot and then it subsided. We were VERY concerned. We didn't want to disturb him anymore after this stressful event so we let him be and discussed what to do. Did online research. Next morning, I tried to feed again, same thing. Minor seizing event with head back and arms flailing. He was not doing well. He then mentally seemed to not be there anymore. We were very distressed. Made the decision to maybe euthanize, he wouldnt respond to crickets or a bath or anything. He was limp. His eyes didn't respond to movement or stimuli. Before we made our final decision, I tried to give him water to drink through a needleless syringe. He drank. I got my hopes VERY high. I even went so far as to make him a "bug smoothie". Water, pedialyte, squashed calcium dusted crickets, smashed beardie bites and two smashed superworms. He has only drank this for days. Upon more online education, learned that UVB lights have to be changed every 6 months and cannot have plastic in front of them. I inspected my UVB to find the manufacturer placed PLASTIC ON THE FIXTURE!!!! I was absolutely enraged. I ripped off the plastic. Went and bought a new reptisun 10.0 from pet smart. Got a thermostat with probe just to be positive of his temps. (his temps were good). I was now sure he is getting proper UVB and temps, was getting fluids and calcium, and just held on hoping. I saw no improvement in a couple days. In fact a new symptom popped up. Head tilting and walking in a wide circle. Took him to vet. She did a very thorough examination and asked many questions. She does not have a very good outlook for him. I suspected MBD, she doesnt think its that bc he has good weight, bone structure and muscle tone. He is dehydrated, so I have been soaking for 20 minutes each day. She thinks it may be adenovirus in which case there is not much hope. I am thinking that I will make the call to euthanize either tomorrow or next day bc after all this supportive care, I see no improvement I am very worried that he is suffering. I also don't want to throw in the towel too quickly. I don't know what else to do
His list of symptoms starting in order of appearance:
1.Decreased/selective appetite (only wants grasshoppers, and eagerly eats them)
2. Lethargy, sleeping more and mostly on cool side of cage
3. one episode of strange reaction trying to catch grasshopper from my fingers
4. Extreme seizing reaction to kale, head tilted way back, beard flared, uncontrolled movements
5. Bowel movement day after first seize. had urate, but looked a bit slimy and I suspected maybe bloody? I thought maybe a dark reddish hue. Unsure. Then another seizing episode, less severe
6. Mental blankness. Eyes don't respond. Won't respond to live crickets or a worm
7. Very weak, limp to pick up. No response to warm bath
8. Restless in cage. Sleeps short periods, then moves around as if uncomfortable
9. Responded to being offered liquid in syringe, drank.
10. Tilted head and walking in wide circles.
From the first seizure, all of these things happened within about 4 or 5 days. Vet visit yesterday. Soak baths yesterday and today. Doesn't want the prescribed liquid diet from vet. Doesn't want plain water. Only drinks my little bug smoothie. Mental blankness. Always has dark beard and tail. Labored breathing. Restless in his tank. He has SO many symptoms that all seem to crossover with potential illnesses or sicknesses. My poor Mr. Lizard I am just so vexed as to how he has gone down so fast. And I feel like it is all my fault