My fault?

[Ncookie]

I rescued a female bearded dragon on March 11th, her cage was very dirty, a lot of old poop, dead crickets in it. They only had a nighttime basking light, a 5.0 uvb light. It was a 50 gallon tank. They said they would try to feed every other day but sometimes not even that. They said they “rescued” her from other people that didn’t take care of her so I don’t know how bad that was. I have no idea her age either.

Once I got her, I upgraded to a 10.0 uvb reptisun bulb. 100w reptisun basking spot light. Fed her daily with a mix of crickets and Various veggies and fruits (ones they can eat). Put liquid calcium on the food. Gave her bearded dragon vitamins twice a week. She has a plastic basking log. 80 degree cool area and 110 degrees basking. Used an outlet timer so it always turned on at 8am and turned off at 8pm. Had a spare room so I cleaned the room very well so that I could get her out once a day and let her roam around for awhile. Kept the same 50 gallon tank. Cleaned daily. I did use the black repti calcium sand (that’s what she had before so i just got new stuff when i got her) so that’s a mistake.

Her beard got black one day and she wasn’t eating and slept all day. Gave her a bath, she drank a good amount of water, gave her a good dose of her bearded dragon vitamins. She was still moving around a decent amount. Let her sleep. The next morning she was horrible. Almost looked dead. Took her to the vet asap but it was too late. He believes liver failure from what i told him and from looking at her skin color on neck and head. said generally that’s due to bad living conditions. Her color hasn’t changed since I got her so I didn’t think anything of it.

I only had her for a month and a half before she passed but I fell in love with her. I want to know if I did something wrong. Would she act normal for a month and half even if her liver was failing or did it happen from me?

I’m asking because after all the tears, I’ve decided I want to get a baby bearded dragon. But if I caused Pika to die, I want to know because I don’t want to put a reptile and myself through that again.

 

[NoahC]

That's so sad to hear! I'm no expert but I did have something similar with my Leopard Gecko who passed away this January with barely any signs of illness. The only things were that he stopped eating and a few weeks later, he died. He'd been on a good diet and had the right setup but the vet said there was nothing we could have done. Generally, when reptiles get sick, they don't show it unless it gets too bad to hide anymore and by then it can often be too late. From what you said, you did a great job in the short time you spent with her and her death wasn't your fault at all. Getting a baby beardie sounds like a great idea! You're obviously very prepared to look after them. I wish you luck with your new friend! Make sure you post pictures of them if you do end up buying one, baby beardies are the cutest!

 

[Ncookie]

Thank you. I just don’t want this to happen again. I think I could have had a better diet plan (veggie to insect ratio) but it was hard because I didn’t know her age and I know babies, juveniles, and adults are different. And the substrate needs to be either reptile carpet or tile.

 

[NoahC]

Thank you. I just don’t want this to happen again. I think I could have had a better diet plan (veggie to insect ratio) but it was hard because I didn’t know her age and I know babies, juveniles, and adults are different. And the substrate needs to be either reptile carpet or tile.

Yes, the calcium sand wasn't great but you're obviously aware of that, the vet would probably have been able to tell if she had been impacted, but I highly doubt the diet could be the reason she passed, you were evidently feeding her far better than she had been fed previously.
Hopefully you feel better soon!

 

[Gormagon]

They hide illnesses real well and, I think this was a pre-existing condition that caught up with her on your watch. You did all you could (other than the dreaded calcisand). What I am saying is, you tried to make her life better, that's all you could do!!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh wow, that is horrible, I am sorry for your loss.
I agree, while the calcium sand wasn't the best, I don't think that was the cause of her death.
Liver failure can last quite awhile, depending on the severity. It was likely due from poor
living conditions or bad genetics from inbreeding, it's very hard to determine exactly why.
I am sorry you lost her so suddenly. They are masters at hiding illness until the very end.
If you need help with your new dragon, when you do decide to get one, we can help out with
anything should you need help!
At least she was not alone & had you with her.

Tracie