One beardie has died, scared for other

[dracospike]

Purchased two beardies only 6 days ago. They were housed together at first but yesterday we separated them. This morning I feed both and they seemed to be just fine. This afternoon we came home and one of them had passed away. He was smaller than the other one but had seemed to settled in and was eating great. Now I am worried about what could have gone wrong in only 7 short hours. Does anyone know of anything that could happen that quickly? My son is devastated so I am very worried that it could be something the larger one may have wrong with him as well. Is it possible that separating them stressed the little one out? I have had so many questions and everyone on here has been so wonderful helping out. Please help I can not watch my son go through this again.

 

[dylanravenj]

For it to die so suddenly like that there must have been something wrong with it when you bought it. I am sorry for your loss
How is the other one behaving? Is it alert? Pooping regularly?

 

[dracospike]

Spike was very small compared to Draco but I had finally stopped worrying about him because he was eating and basking. Draco seems to be very alert and is in the process of eating right now.

 

[daner923]

That is very scary! I'm sorry for your loss. You should thoroughly sanitize his tank to make sure it isn't something contagious, and maybe take him to the vet.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there...I'm so sorry that this happened and your son has had such a trauma with one of his new pets ! What exactly did you feed them, and how large [ try to be exact ] were the insects ? Sometimes a prey item that's too large can cause a severe impaction that occasionally leads to seizures + death. Hopefully the other one will be O.K. !

 

[dracospike]

Craziness! When I went to pick Spike up to take him back to the pet store I swore I saw a little movement. Then he ever so slightly opened his eyes. My heart stopped and I prayed that I wasn't just imagining it. Then I saw another tiny movement. So I warmed up a rice bag, wrapped him in a blanket and rushed him back to the pet store(which when I called they said I had to do before they could refer me to an emergency vet) When walking out of the house for some reason dehydration popped in to my head so I got a bowl of water and the whole drive was dipping my finger in it and rubbing it on his mouth. Once we got to the pet store I immediately asked if they had more water. The sales clerk took us back and filled a syringe with water. Needless to say he drank it and with in 30 seconds was a completly different little man. His color changed and he perked up. I believe that he had been dehydrated even when we got him. Even though water was being offered neither of them would drink that I saw. Because Spike is so much smaller than Draco it effected him more severly. So he is doing great and will now be given a bath every other day and will be offered water from the syringe until I can be sure he is 100%. It is probably still critical to watch him very close because he is so small(even the sales clerk commented on how tiny he was). So now I will worry about him even more which I didn't think was possible. Such a weight lifted off my heart and tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy. Whoever was watching over little Spike thank you!

 

[dracospike]

As for what we are feeding them it is the smallest crickets you can buy. Probably 1/4in. We always save the smallest for Spike since he is so much smaller.

 

[AHBD]

Wow, you couldn't have asked for a better scenario than that ! I'm really glad to hear that he is still with you.

 

[dracospike]

I agree! So thankful for all the post and advice from here. It has been such a help to me over the past 6 days of trying to settle these babies in to our home.

 

[daner923]

Most beardies don't drink standing water, which is probably why he was dehydrated if you weren't bathing enough! So glad to hear he is alive

 

[Esther19]

Hallelujah! I am so happy for you! (And Spike!)

 

[kcarello]

Wow,,its great to say..so happy he isnt passed on!!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow, what a story. How is he doing today, still improving for you?
Please post some pictures & your tank setup as well so we can make sure everything is all setup properly for them both.
Be sure not to leave any standing water in the tank over night especially so he wont fall asleep & drown.

Tracie

 

[Travis1102]

That's great that he was still alive. Hopefully he's continuing to improve.

I think Spike might be due for a name change...Maybe Lazarus? :wink:

 

[dracospike]

If my son would agree Iw ould totally change it! Love it!!