Need Help Please! Hatchling with yolk sac not well :(

[kgaither77]

I have always frozen and tossed the eggs we got, because I seriously just wasn't interested in breeding and all that comes with it.
Well, I decided to keep a clutch, did my research first and had everything ready (I thought!)
We had a swarm of gnats get in the house somehow, and they managed to get into the incubator somehow. There were gnats everywhere, and it all happened within a matter of a couple of days. Well, with gnats comes gnat eggs, and little gnat nasty maggots. I got all the gnats out without thinking they had been in there long enough to lay eggs, and I hadn't noticed anymore of them, so it just didn't cross my mind again.
Until a few days ago I noticed all the little squirmy things in there while I was checking the eggs, as a few looked ready to hatch.
They were in some of the eggs, like they had eaten their way into them. I dumped all the vermiculite, cleaned the whole thing out, and then relaid the eggs in their same positions in the clean tubs with new vermiculite, tossed all of them that looked like they had been infiltrated, and cleaned all the others off.
So 3 days ago, I had 2 hatch, no yolks attached, almost immediately jumping and running around. Healthy little things!
Next day, I notice another has hatched, but still had the yolk sac. I did my research again and put it in a tub by itself with moist paper towels and the lid almost totally on, and back into the incubator. So yesterday I was checking him and I noticed all the little maggots were on his yolk sac and around the little part connected to him and it looked like they were crawling *into* him, though I'm not sure if they were or if it's even possible. So I ran some warm (not hot) water and rinsed them off as best and easily as I could. Got him new wet paper towels in another fresh cleaned bowl. I don't know if the water was a no-no or not, but I couldn't just leave them on him. So now my little guy is just laying there, still alive as he moves when I touch him, but this egg sac is huge and it's leaving pinkish (bloody) spots on the paper towel.
Can somebody please help me? Tell me what to do? Do I just leave him and wait and see? Should I tie off the yolk sac or leave it? I know he needs the nutrition from it, and don't want to do that unless it will help him.

And yes, I'm changing the other eggs' bedding and cleaning them again tonight.

Here's a pic of him, so you all can see. Any ideas what to do?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh my, that is too bad. How long has it been this way, several days? It doesn't look as though he is going to absorb it. Is he opening his eyes at all?
I hesitate to have you separate or detach it for fear of injury.
You could consider taking him to the vet, also, to see if they could possibly detach it. Great care needs to be taken though so infection doesn't set in or that he doesn't rip or tear it. You mentioned he isn't moving around much?

Tracie

 

[kgaither77]

No, he really isn't moving around much it opening his eyes much. He did perk up some when I was running the little bit of water, but it could have been from pain. He also will cling to me with his little legs if I move him. I've been lightly misting him to keep him hydrated and the sac and paper moist.
I would like to take him to the vet, but the closest one that handles reptiles is nearly 2 hours away. I'm just so sad for him, wish there was something I could do, but I'm figuring out there really isn't anything else I can do for him but hope for the best.

 

[kgaither77]

Oh he hatched around noon Saturday, so not as long as I was thinking (feels like longer) but I still would think he should have absorbed more if he was going to by now. He's maybe 2/3 the size of his 2 brothers too, quite a bit smaller.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am sorry he has not absorbed more by now! How is he looking this morning?
I hope he will eventually absorb the rest of it. Continue to keep him warm & moist by way of misting him & on paper towels.
He is not really opening his eyes though?


Tracie

 

[kgaither77]

He doesn't really open his eyes much unless I go irritating him.
But, I talked to a lady this morning that raises snakes and a few other reptiles, and she runs a small pet store where I get my crickets between shipments. I told her the situation, and she basically told me what I already knew, that his chances weren't good, and that leaving him how he is, it will just be a matter of time before he's gone. So, I asked about possibly removing the sac to see if that might/could/would/?? help him, since I really don't think at this point, taking it would hurt him more than he is, and she agreed it was worth a try. So she told me how she has to do it with the baby snakes sometimes, sterile string- tie it off- snip it, and he almost immediately started moving around a bit more. I have to say, the sac smelled pretty bad. Maybe it was rotting or infected? He still has the string on the tiny bit of umbilicus left, so I'm hoping that will fall off before long. It already is getting thinner like it's going to. I also replaced the damp paper towel with some damp sterile surgical gauze, just in case, don't want to introduce any other bacteria or anything to the little guy. And I got some repta-boost and baby food for him. I was able to get him to lick maybe 8-10 times the repta-boost, then he fell asleep, so I'll do it again in a couple of hours, and maybe mix it with a bit of the baby squash. I'm still misting him, but he doesn't seem to like it. I did put him back in the incubator also.
And so far, no more gnats or anything else in the incubator with the rest of the eggs. There are actually 2 clutches in there, laid a month apart (same beardy mama), totaling 37 left, so hopefully there will be no more issues or early hatchers!

 

[kgaither77]

Well, my little guy is now climbing around on me, his umbilical and string are almost totally dried up now. He only goes a few inches, then stops, then he'll move a little more, but hey, it's still a huge improvement from where he was last night and earlier today (I hope!)

Here's a new pic of him with one of his brothers so you can see how much smaller. Also, his middle, by where his legs meet his tummy, looks awfully skinny. I'm thinking probably because he didn't get his yolk all absorbed? We're about to do some more repta-boost too. He is opening his eyes more, especially while he's crawling around, so hoping that's a good sign! I really want my little guy to make it. There is no way I'll be able to get rid of this guy lol, he's mine! I love this little dude!

next to brother born a day before him

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

They are so small and cute! I'm glad that he is doing much better after you detached his yolk sac. I hope he makes it- it sure is looking up for him/her.

 

[Amy2]

Awwww, he is so cute! They are so tiny and adorable :love5: :love5: I hope he continues to improve for you

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am glad that removing it has helped. It sounds like he is feeling pretty good now & active.
Since he was not able to gain the vitamins through his yolk sac, I recommend supplementing vitamin A, D, E & K a few times, to get his levels up while he is young. Not permanently, but just a few small doses & that should be good.
I hope he continues improving for you.

Tracie

 

[kgaither77]

Just an update-
Little Trooper is doing FANTASTIC! For about a week, I kept him separated in a tupperware bowl but in the tank with the other babies because it was warmer there than in the incubator. Since then, he's been with his brothers, running and eating crickets and if it wasn't for him being so small, it would be hard to tell anything happened to the little guy at all. I am so so happy he pulled through! I'll be keeping him for sure He now has a total of 18 siblings (!) and all are doing great. Next step, finding homes for all the babies!

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

So great to hear! You go Trooper I'm sure he will grow up to be an amazing dragon! Raaaawr!

 

[LoveMy4BeardieGals]

OH MY GOSH Lil' Trooper is SO SO PRECIOUS!! I am so glad to hear that he is doing great and I do not blame you, I would not be able to part with him either :lol: but I would keep all the babies if I could lol

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great news for little Trooper!
Do you have pictures of him now? I am so happy that he made it through. You should definitely keep him.

Tracie