Sudden death in bearded dragon... why?

[MikachuILY]

Around 5 months ago I rescued an extremely small beardie from a petsmart. I knew I shouldn’t really be supporting their pet trade but he looked so sickly I couldn’t help myself. When I first got him the man told me “just come back if he dies, we’ll give you you’re money back.” Which I know is something they have to say, but he said it in the most knowing way. Like he just knew. Anyways I went ahead and adopted the poor boy he was lovely. I have another beardie as well, he’s almost a year old now, big and thriving! So it’s not my first rodeo. I believe I got him everything he needs. He has the same set up as my other dragon, 40g breeder, 125 watt uvb/uva/heat, and a ceramic heat emitter. His basking spot was around 100 and his cooler side mid 80s. I’ve always fed bsfl as I’ve always believed that was one of the best feeders for younger beardies. They got frequent baths, and got vitamins. All this being said I’m pretty confident that he had a good set up, and took good care of them. My rescue was very active and alert. He ate very well, basked normally, and shedded good! However around a week ago I came home too a few large poops in his tank. I just assumed it was a tummy ache, so I gave him a bath and rubbed his tummy. Since that day everything went down hill. He refused to eat, which was very strange for him. He wasn’t as active, and he kept his eyes closed. My mom and I were very worried and began to give him baths everyday. He would drink water but that’s it. He wouldn’t move anywhere but where we would lay him. This went on for around 4 days. Then I woke up this morning and he was dead. What could cause such a rapid death? He seemed so perfectly fine. He was doing so well, and then so suddenly he was gone. Any idea?

 

[KarrieRee]

Wow-- I am so sorry to hear this ---- it is hard to say but something was not right w/ him from when you got him and you actually probably prolonged his life by the care you gave him --- it is hard to say what he passed from --- they are a master of disguise when it comes to being sick--- until they cant hide it anymore or just up and die -- again I have no answers for you some others might have some insight for you ---
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

I'm so sorry for your loss. A lot of times though, there just is no answer.
He very likely could have been sick from the get-go. They are notorious for being able to hide illness until it's basically too late.
Or, he could have potentially gotten into something and ate something he wasn't supposed to. Such as a bug flying into his tank? Or something outside if he's ever allowed to go outside?

ADV is also pretty common in petstore dragons, and sometimes that virus is the cause of a lot of unknown causes of death.
Without a necropsy there really is just no telling

-Brandon