supportive care for our beardie

[mamakintobeardie]

Hi all,
thanks for all of your advice and help with my daughters beardie Nicky. We started here one week ago and you all of been so kind and supportive with lots of great advice. We found out last night that Nicky has gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma and that he will die. My daughter (and I agree) decided we did not want to put Nicky through the stress of a two week course of antibiotic and iron shots. We are trying to keep him comfortable and loved at home. My concern of course is that he may be in pain and is suffering, although he does not appear to be. He doesn't even have a black beard (which I find strange). Is there anything we can do to make him more comfortable? If others have experience with palliative care with beardies I'm open to suggestions. This is devastating to us but we just want what's best for him.

 

[AHBD]

I'm truly sorry to hear this devastating news....i was so hoping that wasn't what it would be. I know this is crushing you. You're right that if his beard isn't black then he's probably not in too much pain. I guess you can see when and how much handling he'll tolerate....offer any possible fave food but he may not eat much. Keep him warm and let him sleep pretty much as he wants to. My thoughts are with you + your daughter and Nicky.

 

[mamakintobeardie]

Thank you for your thoughts. I just fed him two dropperfuls of water and about .5 ml of squash. He was getting very agitated and krinking his neck sideways so I let him be. He's still got a lot of fight in him still! But you are right, he's sleeping almost all the time or has his eyes half shut.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I read Nicky's diagnosis, I am so sorry. That is so very sad.
What antibiotics/treatment did the vet even suggest, any at all?
Just keeping him nice & hydrated & comfortable will help, plus spending as much time with him as possible. What supplements do you use right now?
I agree, since he is sleeping a good amount, it is best to let him get his rest.
Please let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[mamakintobeardie]

Thank you for your nice message Tracie. The vet said an alternative therapy would be aggressive, first day iron shot, 2 days later antibiotic shot and then repeat for two weeks. At home I would be syringe feeding him a protein drink (can't recall which specifically). This would not cure the cancer but would only stabilize him and give him energy for a little longer. Still no guarantee how it would even work because we don't know how many organs the cancer has spread to. It's a bum deal. We couldn't put him through that kind of stress. My daughter is ill herself and we are back and forth to the doctors almost daily for her as well. She wants to be an exotic vet someday. I told her someday she may find a cure for this! Currently Nicky seems pretty comfortable. He's elevated in a slanted position laying against his rock bridge which is nice and warm from the lighting.

 

[Rankins]

Sorry to hear your dragon is so sick. Losing a loved animal is very hard.
I lost my 15 y/o kitty a couple weeks ago and am still very sad about it. I sympathize with you and your daughter.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,


He is precious, I am sorry it is such horrible luck. At least he is with you though, Nicky is lucky to have you.
Maybe it hasn't spread too far to other organs. If it was just in the pancreas then it might be more manageable possibly. At least he seems to be comfortable right now. I know he is happy being all nice & warm.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[mamakintobeardie]

Thank you all for your kind words. He is weak but still hanging in with us. His little eyes are just killing me though, they look so sad. I just pray he's not in any pain. Here is a couple pics of him. One a few months ago when he was nice and healthy enjoying his tub and one from yesterday

 

[Rankins]

I hope he stays comfortable until the very sad day shows up. You sound like your keeping him as comfortable as possible. If he appears to be less comfortable a horrible decision will need to be considered. Let's hope you don't have to do that...

 

[CooperDragon]

He still isn't black bearding which is a good sign. He can still have good times ahead. Spoil that little guy rotten. Give him an adventure =).

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Nicky looks really good though in those pictures. His eyes look sad to you?
Spend a lot of time with him & hopefully he will have a great time with you & not feel any pain.
I am sorry he is having to go through this.
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[mamakintobeardie]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let you all know that my daughter and I said "good-bye" to our beloved Nicky this morning. The last few days were not good. He was very anorexic, he was not accepting more than 2-3 mls. of baby food mixture / carnivore care a day over the last 3 days. Yesterday I only got about 2 ml in him and it was a struggle. He was having trouble swallowing and it felt like he was wheezing. Last night, was the first time I truly felt as though he was suffering. Strangely, he never did get a black beard. We'll pick him up from the vets later today to lay him to rest in our animal cemetery in the back yard. I'll miss this guy like crazy and I still feel jipped of time with him before he got this cancer as he was so young. Anyway, on a bright note, I thought I'd share this beautiful last photo of Nicky with the sun shining on his face. Thank you for all of your support and help. I'm so glad to have found you all. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be another special beardie in our future and it's great knowing you'll all be here as a resource.

Carol

 

[CooperDragon]

This is sad news =(. I certainly understand the feeling of being ripped off by having to let go after such a short time. He had a good life with you and I'm glad you were able to make the most of the time you had with him. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Fellowdt23]

I feel your pain lost my dragon Nacho this morning to an unexplained condition he was very similar to your wee guy in the sense he showed no signs of stress through out the whole time he wasnt well and its fair to say i am gutted

RIP NACHO AND NICKY XXX Hope you little guys are at peace now x

 

[mamakintobeardie]

RIP Nacho. What a great name. I'm sure they are basking in the desert sun right now! So sorry for your loss as well.