Spike’s Progress

[xp29]

Yeah he’s certainly had a tough life with everything he’s been through but it’s great for the most part he doesn’t let any of that stop him.
Lately he’s decided that he wants to sleep leaned up against something so I’ve been turning that DIY ramp I made him into an angled bed platform and he seems to like that.
I’ve also been thinking about options for keeping him calm at night and I’ve had an idea I’ll trial and see how it goes. I have an old shirt that’s more or less unwearable now I figure I’ll cut some fabric off that to make 2 blankets, make sure to get my scent on them and at night give him those and see if having something that smells like me with him will help by maybe creating the sense I’m there with him all night.
I’ll definitely update after a bit with how this goes because if it works it maybe also be useful to other dragons in similar situations with vision loss and nighttime nervousness over it.

Yeah that actually sounds like a good plan. For sure letcus know how he responds

 

[Spider8ait1994]

Yeah that actually sounds like a good plan. For sure letcus know how he responds

So I’ve now made both blankets and rolled + sewn along the four edges to stop fraying.
The purpose of making at least two is to take into account the fact that scent fades in time so I figure that to keep the scent constant I can give him one and the one he’s not currently using I can just keep with me throughout the day then routinely swap the pieces out as needed.
It’s still the afternoon here at the moment but I’ve put one in with him for now and he does seem more chilled out already but I’ll give him a few nights before a full update on this idea as that way I’ll be able to get more insight into whether he’s consistently calmer with these than without them.
I figured it would likely help as I know their sense of smell is a big part of their sensory system so scent would be a great way to bring him comfort now his vision is likely gone but also taking into consideration the potential for his hearing declining with age this would still be a viable option because as far as I’m aware of the sense of smell unlike some other senses generally doesn’t fade or fail with age unless it’s affected by damage through injury or illness.

 

[xp29]

I hope it brings him Peace long term. He deserves it.

 

[Spider8ait1994]

I hope it brings him Peace long term. He deserves it.

Photos are a bit low quality because I didn’t want to turn too many lights on while he’s asleep but so far so good.
He’s definitely been more settled and went to sleep pretty quick without any issues around 5:30pm it’s now 11:14pm and he’s been asleep this whole time without any disturbances.
Even just looking at his face in these photos he’s visibly more settled without any grey/black beard and you can see he’s not all tensed up.

 

[xp29]

View attachment 94124 View attachment 94125
Photos are a bit low quality because I didn’t want to turn too many lights on while he’s asleep but so far so good.
He’s definitely been more settled and went to sleep pretty quick without any issues around 5:30pm it’s now 11:14pm and he’s been asleep this whole time without any disturbances.
Even just looking at his face in these photos he’s visibly more settled without any grey/black beard and you can see he’s not all tensed up.

Man that's awesome

 

[Spider8ait1994]

So it’s been a couple nights now and the ‘scent blankets’ are definitely helping him stay calm.
Since trying this he hasn’t had a single disturbed night.
He’s been falling asleep without issue and stays asleep until whatever time he decides to wake up the next day.
I’ve also been in contact with his vet about his vision and night panics and they’ve been interested in seeing how he goes with this idea. In addition they’re also in agreement that he’s most likely either entirely blind or mostly blind at this stage.
That said he does still seem to be able to sense light levels with his third eye and will orient himself in an appropriate direction to bask according to where the light is coming from.
While his walking isn’t great because of his vision nowdays I’ve found he does still love to swim so I’ve been supervising him in the tub with just enough water he can swim in it (ie his feet can still touch the bottom comfortably without submerging himself but still enough swim if he tucks his legs up) while always keeping my hand near him as a precaution and he’s been having a great time with that.
I figure it’s kinda like a bit of aqua therapy for him so he can keep up with excercise in a way that’s a bit easier than running or stair climbing.

 

[xp29]

So it’s been a couple nights now and the ‘scent blankets’ are definitely helping him stay calm.
Since trying this he hasn’t had a single disturbed night.
He’s been falling asleep without issue and stays asleep until whatever time he decides to wake up the next day.
I’ve also been in contact with his vet about his vision and night panics and they’ve been interested in seeing how he goes with this idea. In addition they’re also in agreement that he’s most likely either entirely blind or mostly blind at this stage.
That said he does still seem to be able to sense light levels with his third eye and will orient himself in an appropriate direction to bask according to where the light is coming from.
While his walking isn’t great because of his vision nowdays I’ve found he does still love to swim so I’ve been supervising him in the tub with just enough water he can swim in it (ie his feet can still touch the bottom comfortably without submerging himself but still enough swim if he tucks his legs up) while always keeping my hand near him as a precaution and he’s been having a great time with that.
I figure it’s kinda like a bit of aqua therapy for him so he can keep up with excercise in a way that’s a bit easier than running or stair climbing.

Your updates always make me sad, and feel me with happiness. I'm sad he has had so many hurdles, but the care you give him is so amazing and the way he responds is so endearing that I can't help but smile.

 

[Spider8ait1994]

Your updates always make me sad, and feel me with happiness. I'm sad he has had so many hurdles, but the care you give him is so amazing and the way he responds is so endearing that I can't help but smile.

Yeah it’s sad to think of all he’s been through but I try to remember that he’s here and make it to old age which is a huge improvement on his condition when he came to me so to have these aging related issues means he’s overcome so much to get to this point in life he may not have otherwise reached.
And speaking of his original condition with the end of November here came the monthly weight check I do for my dragons so Spike is 487 grams which isn’t too bad for an old guy.
The new guy Apollo weighed in at 253 grams and he’s 11 months old.
What surprised me was seeing Apollo’s weight at 11 months compared to Spike’s initial weight when he first came to me which to this day I remember was only 143 grams and he was estimated to be at least 2 YEARS old at that point so it’s shocking to think a 2 year old dragon was at a point he weighed less than a healthy 11 month old of the same species.

 

[xp29]

Yeah it’s sad to think of all he’s been through but I try to remember that he’s here and make it to old age which is a huge improvement on his condition when he came to me so to have these aging related issues means he’s overcome so much to get to this point in life he may not have otherwise reached.
And speaking of his original condition with the end of November here came the monthly weight check I do for my dragons so Spike is 487 grams which isn’t too bad for an old guy.
The new guy Apollo weighed in at 253 grams and he’s 11 months old.
What surprised me was seeing Apollo’s weight at 11 months compared to Spike’s initial weight when he first came to me which to this day I remember was only 143 grams and he was estimated to be at least 2 YEARS old at that point so it’s shocking to think a 2 year old dragon was at a point he weighed less than a healthy 11 month old of the same species.

Yeah that really does put into perspective the condition he was in. It's amazing to see what a fighter he is, he's got more will to live tham most humans I know. I can only imagine the adventures he would have had if you got him as a hatching

 

[Spider8ait1994]

He got to meet the shopping centre Santa today and loved it. I wasn’t sure how awake he’d be as it was an earlier morning booking but he sure woke up for the meet
Seeing how he reacted to the Santa does make me think that he’s not 100% blind just yet and does actually have maybe a little bit of vision left, enough so he recognised a Santa.
(Side note: ignore how odd I look in photos )

 

[NickAVD]

View attachment 94553

He got to meet the shopping centre Santa today and loved it. I wasn’t sure how awake he’d be as it was an earlier morning booking but he sure woke up for the meet
Seeing how he reacted to the Santa does make me think that he’s not 100% blind just yet and does actually have maybe a little bit of vision left, enough so he recognised a Santa.
(Side note: ignore how odd I look in photos )

This is a great photo!

 

[Spider8ait1994]

This is a great photo!

Definitely one to treasure and I’m glad that Spike enjoyed the experience while he’s still able to be out and about.
He did draw a bit of a crowd too since apparently he’s the first lizard they’ve ever had since they initially started doing pet photos a couple years ago so I got to talk with a couple people who’d been wanting a dragon or had family who did and was able to answer questions they had (and mention my book if they wanted a guide they can keep to reference from).
I have also noticed an interesting thing about the groups of people who take an interest in Spike.
Children are unsurprisingly a big group who love getting to meet him but the surprising thing is that specifically elderly women seem to consistently also love meeting Spike.
Not sure if it’s just where I grew up here in Australia or if it’s a global thing but generally the older generations grew up with all the misconceptions that reptiles are primitive, basic, unfeeling things that just exist entirely on instinct without emotions or personality and are something to be feared or hated so to find that a large portion of the elderly feel very much the opposite of all that did surprise me but it’s nice to find that despite everything that group of people grew up being taught a lot of them recognise reptiles are more than what they’d been taught while they were younger.
And I’d say Spike definitely shows they’re more than all that with how affectionate he is to people.

 

[xp29]

View attachment 94553

He got to meet the shopping centre Santa today and loved it. I wasn’t sure how awake he’d be as it was an earlier morning booking but he sure woke up for the meet
Seeing how he reacted to the Santa does make me think that he’s not 100% blind just yet and does actually have maybe a little bit of vision left, enough so he recognised a Santa.
(Side note: ignore how odd I look in photos )

He looks like he is having a blast. That is awesome!!!!

 

[xp29]

Definitely one to treasure and I’m glad that Spike enjoyed the experience while he’s still able to be out and about.
He did draw a bit of a crowd too since apparently he’s the first lizard they’ve ever had since they initially started doing pet photos a couple years ago so I got to talk with a couple people who’d been wanting a dragon or had family who did and was able to answer questions they had (and mention my book if they wanted a guide they can keep to reference from).
I have also noticed an interesting thing about the groups of people who take an interest in Spike.
Children are unsurprisingly a big group who love getting to meet him but the surprising thing is that specifically elderly women seem to consistently also love meeting Spike.
Not sure if it’s just where I grew up here in Australia or if it’s a global thing but generally the older generations grew up with all the misconceptions that reptiles are primitive, basic, unfeeling things that just exist entirely on instinct without emotions or personality and are something to be feared or hated so to find that a large portion of the elderly feel very much the opposite of all that did surprise me but it’s nice to find that despite everything that group of people grew up being taught a lot of them recognise reptiles are more than what they’d been taught while they were younger.
And I’d say Spike definitely shows they’re more than all that with how affectionate he is to people.

I love taking my guys out in public. You can kind on see people sort themselves out according to how they perceive beardies. Up front are people eager to interact, behind them are people definitely interested but a little unsure. The next group are interested but a little afraid. (These are the ones I try to draw in) It is so much fun to watch them when they get brave enough to pet a beardie. You can see a whole range of emotions play out on their face.
Spike is a great ambassador for beardies. No one with a heart could hear even a little of his story and not fall in love with him.

 

[NickAVD]

Definitely one to treasure and I’m glad that Spike enjoyed the experience while he’s still able to be out and about.
He did draw a bit of a crowd too since apparently he’s the first lizard they’ve ever had since they initially started doing pet photos a couple years ago so I got to talk with a couple people who’d been wanting a dragon or had family who did and was able to answer questions they had (and mention my book if they wanted a guide they can keep to reference from).
I have also noticed an interesting thing about the groups of people who take an interest in Spike.
Children are unsurprisingly a big group who love getting to meet him but the surprising thing is that specifically elderly women seem to consistently also love meeting Spike.
Not sure if it’s just where I grew up here in Australia or if it’s a global thing but generally the older generations grew up with all the misconceptions that reptiles are primitive, basic, unfeeling things that just exist entirely on instinct without emotions or personality and are something to be feared or hated so to find that a large portion of the elderly feel very much the opposite of all that did surprise me but it’s nice to find that despite everything that group of people grew up being taught a lot of them recognise reptiles are more than what they’d been taught while they were younger.
And I’d say Spike definitely shows they’re more than all that with how affectionate he is to people.

You are absolutely right! By the way, I also noticed that older people are very friendly to dragons. And most importantly, they see them as individuals. I am glad that Spike liked your walk and meeting Santa, it was a real gift for Spike!