Pls help: Sick Gravid Bearded Dragon

[EllenD]

Oh I'm so, so sorry. That's awful, and so sudden. I hope you guys are alright, this is always so difficult to get through...

It does sound very much like an egg either ruptured inside her, causing internal bleeding and possibly peritonitis, or she was actually egg-bound. The black beard indicates sudden pain, and the bloating is also a sign of internal bleeding or infection. Sometimes the vets can't always see all the eggs on a flat x-ray, and sometimes the eggs develop quickly. I've seen several breeder parrots thathad become egg-bound, and it sounds just like it. It's typically sudden, painful, and unless you're aware of it and can intervene (much easier to help a parrot than a bearded dragon) they die very quickly...I lost one of my favorite breeder English Budgies one night from egg-binding, and even though I saw her suddenly become visibly sick and followed the exact protocol that I had used twice before with success, she just seized and died suddenly while I had her soaking in warm water in a steam filled room. It was awful to watch, and I was devastated, even though she was a breeder bird and not really a pet, not at all friendly or tame, and I had no interaction with her. It still was very traumatic.

Again I'm so sorry, this is in no way your fault, you got her vet care and did everything in your power to help her. This was just a sudden and unfortunately common occurrence with gravid females.

 

[ellentan]

Thank you everyone for your sympathy and kindness. We truly appreciate it! For my closure, our vet was kind enough to do a necropsy as a courtesy to find out the cause of death. It turns out she has small gallstones that block the bile duct, which was not visible in the Xray. This explains the vomiting, the nausea, restlessness, and the flip over. Also the reason she didn't eat because it would be really painful after she eat particularly after an hour.

Nevertheless, the actual cause of death was aneurysm (a localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall) bursting and lead to bleeding to death internally. Both illnesses would require surgery and especially with her being gravid, the risk is high. Knowing that she was in great pain and suffering, it is probably better for her this way and hope she is in better place.

Our family is devastated so we are not sure if we will get a new beardie. However, if we do, I will come back for tips and proper settings. I am truly amazed by the passion and kindhearted of the folks in this forum. I wish I found you all earlier but I am glad I did. May god blessed you all!

My husband made a wooden coffin for Emily and my son decorates it. We will bury her in our back yard. Here are a few photos. Take care everyone!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

OH how loving, that is so kind hearted what your son did. I am so sorry you lost Emily so suddenly.
Aneurisms are so unpredictable. There have been several on here who have lost their dragons to
one, also.

Tracie