BrightStar
Hatchling Member
I’ve tried to do some research, and all I’ve found so far is that reptiles can be infected with West Nile virus. I know I posted here in regards to Rygel’s lack of appetite, but after having a long consultation with the vet when we rushed him in on Thursday, we discovered that many things that I had thought of over the past nine months or so as merely quirks could have been symptoms - like him knuckling his feet, falling off of his basking log, and trying to walk off of my hand into thin air. He didn’t do this constantly, or even everyday, so I just thought my guy was being a weirdy beardie.
If you are able to find any additional research, I’d be pleased to read over it.
The vet said necropsy results could take some weeks. The actual necropsy will take place in a few days, so probably Monday or Tuesday. At that time, they will provide my vet with a gross report, which basically will explain their findings on just examining him when they open him up. But our vet doesn’t think that will come back with much useful information. She said they will take samples of various things and look at them under a microscope. Then they would have to write up the next report and send it to her.
Today has been extremely difficult. The morning was especially hard because getting him up and out for his morning cuddle have been something I’ve done every single day since I got him in October 2016. I couldn’t cope with seeing his cage there, empty... waiting for him to go back in. We shut off the lights, but that just made it worse because I’ve become so attuned to lights must be on and temperatures must be right. I’ve ended up putting his roaches and a mint plant in there! Anything to just make it look a bit different.
So many triggers that remind me of him. I opened the refrigerator door last night to get myself some milk, and his veggies were all there, including the baby food and slurry I had made to feed him these past days. In the kitchen, there’s his food dish and calcium and vitamin supplements, and on the table by his cage, the temp gun and solarmeter, plus his night blanket and bed cushion.
I’ve lost pets before, and I’m no stranger to the heartbreak and grief, but I had a bond with Rygel that was unlike anything I’ve had with my other pets. Before we went to say goodbye yesterday, I sobbed and wailed and probably frightened my poor husband, who has never seen me ever as distressed as I have been by Rygel’s loss. He has been my rock and so patient, understanding and compassionate through all of this. Rygel hated my husband, so sadly they were never able to develop much of a bond.
I know the pain and despair of losing Rygel will get easier. I’ve been giving thoughts to how I want to memorialise him - I’m thinking a Beardie garden statue somewhere bright and sunny outside, and a memory box where I will keep his favorite blanket, pillow, photos of him, and the more sentimental cage accessories that aren’t too big. Not to sure about the ashes. My husband has suggested making them into some kind of jewelry piece, like a pendant with them in or something. I doubt there’ll be many ashes left from a bearded dragon.
If you are able to find any additional research, I’d be pleased to read over it.
The vet said necropsy results could take some weeks. The actual necropsy will take place in a few days, so probably Monday or Tuesday. At that time, they will provide my vet with a gross report, which basically will explain their findings on just examining him when they open him up. But our vet doesn’t think that will come back with much useful information. She said they will take samples of various things and look at them under a microscope. Then they would have to write up the next report and send it to her.
Today has been extremely difficult. The morning was especially hard because getting him up and out for his morning cuddle have been something I’ve done every single day since I got him in October 2016. I couldn’t cope with seeing his cage there, empty... waiting for him to go back in. We shut off the lights, but that just made it worse because I’ve become so attuned to lights must be on and temperatures must be right. I’ve ended up putting his roaches and a mint plant in there! Anything to just make it look a bit different.
So many triggers that remind me of him. I opened the refrigerator door last night to get myself some milk, and his veggies were all there, including the baby food and slurry I had made to feed him these past days. In the kitchen, there’s his food dish and calcium and vitamin supplements, and on the table by his cage, the temp gun and solarmeter, plus his night blanket and bed cushion.
I’ve lost pets before, and I’m no stranger to the heartbreak and grief, but I had a bond with Rygel that was unlike anything I’ve had with my other pets. Before we went to say goodbye yesterday, I sobbed and wailed and probably frightened my poor husband, who has never seen me ever as distressed as I have been by Rygel’s loss. He has been my rock and so patient, understanding and compassionate through all of this. Rygel hated my husband, so sadly they were never able to develop much of a bond.
I know the pain and despair of losing Rygel will get easier. I’ve been giving thoughts to how I want to memorialise him - I’m thinking a Beardie garden statue somewhere bright and sunny outside, and a memory box where I will keep his favorite blanket, pillow, photos of him, and the more sentimental cage accessories that aren’t too big. Not to sure about the ashes. My husband has suggested making them into some kind of jewelry piece, like a pendant with them in or something. I doubt there’ll be many ashes left from a bearded dragon.
