Sick Beardie

[Petgirly]

Hi there, I’ve had my guy for just over a year now. He has had GI issues most of his life. Been through parasite testing and treatment with meds. Stool was never perfect but was much better. Then Earlier this year his foot became swollen. Did x rays and he either had a bone infection or it was bone cancer in one of his toes. Tried antibiotic for 6 weeks and toe seems stable. Bone will never look normal but has not progressed into other area of the foot. Now he has stopped eating and has what we believe is fluid in his stomach. We have done X-rays and blood (see attached) with no real conclusion on what’s going on. Other than the x rays do look suspicious. The Dr also thought she could feel something in his stomach. At this point I’m wondering if she stool issues, foot issue are all related and he is full of cancer. He is bright and alert but will not eat anything (I have tried everything known to man) so I am now force feeding him and he is getting fluids. He is still producing stool normally with no issues. Anyone have and thoughts or suggestions? He is only just over a year and I feel like I’m loosing him already.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi there, I’ve had my guy for just over a year now. He has had GI issues most of his life. Been through parasite testing and treatment with meds. Stool was never perfect but was much better. Then Earlier this year his foot became swollen. Did x rays and he either had a bone infection or it was bone cancer in one of his toes. Tried antibiotic for 6 weeks and toe seems stable. Bone will never look normal but has not progressed into other area of the foot. Now he has stopped eating and has what we believe is fluid in his stomach. We have done X-rays and blood (see attached) with no real conclusion on what’s going on. Other than the x rays do look suspicious. The Dr also thought she could feel something in his stomach. At this point I’m wondering if she stool issues, foot issue are all related and he is full of cancer. He is bright and alert but will not eat anything (I have tried everything known to man) so I am now force feeding him and he is getting fluids. He is still producing stool normally with no issues. Anyone have and thoughts or suggestions? He is only just over a year and I feel like I’m loosing him already.

We need Tracie to address this - she is our vet tech mod
@Drache613

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor guy, that is terrible he has had to go through all of this already, at such a young age.
You are positive he is male but not female? It is late here so I will look at the x-rays again tomorrow
but did but it almost looks like the visible outlines of possible eggs. If not, then it is something else,
they mentioned fluid or something else. The calcium is a little high which can occur with some tumors
but most of the time it indicates egg production.
The Uric acid & AST look to be in range.
Has he lost any weight recently or been maintaining?
Continue with daily fluids right now. He is not on any medications right now, correct?
If you can afford it, you could consider an ultrasound to see if they can try to pinpoint anything else.
I'll write more on Monday when I get a chance.

Tracie

 

[Petgirly]

Hello,

Poor guy, that is terrible he has had to go through all of this already, at such a young age.
You are positive he is male but not female? It is late here so I will look at the x-rays again tomorrow
but did but it almost looks like the visible outlines of possible eggs. If not, then it is something else,
they mentioned fluid or something else. The calcium is a little high which can occur with some tumors
but most of the time it indicates egg production.
The Uric acid & AST look to be in range.
Has he lost any weight recently or been maintaining?
Continue with daily fluids right now. He is not on any medications right now, correct?
If you can afford it, you could consider an ultrasound to see if they can try to pinpoint anything else.
I'll write more on Monday when I get a chance.

Tracie

Thank you. As far as we know he is male but realistically I have no clue but I would assume the vet would? They didn’t mention the possibility of him being female but I will lose the question to them. If there is eggs do they normally get a fluid filled abdomen? His abdomen for sure has fluid as you can feel it. He has maybe lost about 30 grams but overall been pretty stable. I will speak to the vet about an ultrasound. Thank you for your help. I’m so worried about him.
Jenn

 

[AHBD]

To determine the sex, arch the tail like this :

Sexing Your Bearded Dragon

Written by Alex Sleeis in 2001 Introduction There are many rumors about how to tell the difference between a male and a female bearded dragon. Many beliefs are based in fact, but are not as absolute as many would have you believe. The myths: Some say that females are smaller than males. Some say...

www.beardeddragon.org

 

[Petgirly]

To determine the sex, arch the tail like this :

Sexing Your Bearded Dragon

Written by Alex Sleeis in 2001 Introduction There are many rumors about how to tell the difference between a male and a female bearded dragon. Many beliefs are based in fact, but are not as absolute as many would have you believe. The myths: Some say that females are smaller than males. Some say...

www.beardeddragon.org

I’m thinking boy but it’s not easy to tell!

 

[KarrieRee]

I’m thinking boy but it’s not easy to tell!

I see no bumps - a girl

 

[xp29]

Candle light it to be for sure. Be careful not to burn him with the light.

 

[Petgirly]

 

[Petgirly]

Girl?

 

[KarrieRee]

Girl?

Yes

 

[xp29]

Yup it's a girl !!!!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thank you for checking! I was suspicious & there appeared to be visible outlines of
eggs, to me, on the x-rays. She is likely egg bound, so I highly recommend going to the
vet again, or finding another one more qualified. Honestly, it should have been mentioned
previously by the vet simply by the x-rays.
Fluid can be caused by egg issues, yes. Has she not tried to scratch around as if she was
trying to dig, etc?
How is she doing today?

Tracie

 

[Petgirly]

She has not been digging or exhibiting any behavior that would make me think nesting…..other than not wanting to eat and a bloated belly, everything else is completely normal! Very activate and happy. (Except when it’s force feeding time!) I asked the vet about possibility of eggs and they did offer me a quote for surgery however unfortunately it is something I just cannot afford….. I have made a nesting area in her habitat now and she has been in it a few times moving around the bedding. I’m crossing my fingers and trying to remain positive. I appreciate all your help.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, that is a little bit of progress. You could get her on some liquid calcium to help out her
system in case she needs a boost right now. Some extra oral fluids too wouldn't hurt.
I hope she starts to do better for you. Keep us posted on her!

Tracie