My Dragon is very very ill happened over night.

[SM45]

I have had my Bearded Dragon no lie for about 12 to 13 years. I have been using the same UVA and UVB and substrate for the length of time hes been alive. The other day I was doing a sand change and gave him a bath. He was doing fine in the bath jumping around having fun as always and after he was done I put him back in his tank obviously. The next day I noticed his skin began to whiten and he became very ill or really unreponsive and tired. He would not eat...nothing. This morning I woke up and found him fallen off his basking spot so I rushed to the tank to see if he was ok and he was still breathing very slowly and will not open his eyes at all. I have never ever seen him do this before...I was thinking that he is so old that maybe the stress of the sand change or the cleaning got to him I don't know. Again I have used the same things for years and have never had any problems. Please help!!!

 

[brittani299]

Hello . He is an old guy. If ou have been doing everything the same his whole life and nothi g has changed and he has loved this long maybe it is just his time. I had a cat that was 17 years old. One day he just looked tired and looked like he was really to go. So I took him to the vet and he was really sick his kidneys where shutting down. I had to put him to sleep . I don't want to make you feel bad because I know we all love out pets but it sounds like he has had a good long life and might be ready to go

 

[SM45]

He now will open his eyes and raise his head look around and then go back to sleep? It may be his time I Pray not could it be a hybernation of sorts and it is more severe now because of his age?

 

[brittani299]

It could be. Maybe he is trying to go into brumation but is having some problems. Can you take hi to the vet at all?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

What a guy, for 13 or so that is very good.
How are his eyes looking, are they sunken in or bright looking right now?
Have you been using a UVB light for him & if so, what type & brand is it? How often do you give calcium?
Do you have any pictures of him?

It could be brumation but it may be a good idea to take him into a vet if possible?
How has his appetite been?

Tracie

 

[SM45]

His eyes are sunkin. I just walked in and checked on him. He was not breatyhing and I picked him up, his mouth was slightly open and his eyes almost all the way shut. He is lifeless I thought had passes but I could feel like a faint heart beat or vibrations in his chest/stomachh area. Then he comes out of it and opens his mouth and eyes wide like he got scraed then passed right back out lifless again with his mouth open and eyes shut. He did it twice I don't know whats going on if hes passing which I pray not but think he i Pray hes not in pain....what the hhell is going on this is upsetting...

 

[jwideman]

He's had a good run. I think all you can do now is try to make him comfortable.

 

[SM45]

Again hes just laying thiere then raises his head opens his mouth wide and lays his head back down and closes his mouth wtf is going on!!??? Is he Brumating?

 

[brittani299]

It sounds like he is passing on

 

[jwideman]

Again hes just laying thiere then raises his head opens his mouth wide and lays his head back down and closes his mouth wtf is going on!!??? Is he Brumating?

Has he ever brumated before? Was it like this?

 

[SM45]

Again hes just laying thiere then raises his head opens his mouth wide and lays his head back down and closes his mouth wtf is going on!!??? Is he Brumating?

Has he ever brumated before? Was it like this?

No never...He has slowed down before but never just not move or breathe and sleep the whole time. while at time lifts his head opens his mouith and goes back to sleep....

 

[jwideman]

It's possible. I'm not sure whether you should let him brumate or not, given his age.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Unfortunately, it sounds like agonal breathing. It is not pleasant to watch, but it is important to be with him. If his eyes are sunken, that is not a good sign.
You could try to bathe him to see what type of reaction you do get out of him though, if any.
Please let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[SM45]

I know this sounds stupid but when will I know of his passing....Damnit 13 years a great companion had him since he was a baby....Will my local vet they do not deal with reptiles...think they would cremate him? I had my father cremated when he passed almost two years ago been a rough couple of years who could do it would like to have his ashes next to my fathers.

 

[daner923]

How is he doing this morning?

The vet can definitely do it I would think. Just call, but it doesn't really matter whether he treats reptiles or not, he's wouldn't be treating him here, just cremating.