Update on my bearded dragon Ivan

[hooklinebrittany]

He shedded off his entire infection. There's just a little scar left. I'll still keep treating that until that also goes away but I'm very proud of him. He's now ten inches long and growing. Thank you all for your help. It really got us out of the woods. Hopefully he stays nice and healthy from here on out, especially now that I'm not friends with the girl who caused the infection in the first place. Again, thank you guys. You really are great. <3

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great news Ivan is looking so good now! I am glad that he has shed off the infection on his skin.
If you need anything, just let us know.

Tracie

 

[DoubleJ]

It's good to hear a success story THanks for updating us.

 

[hooklinebrittany]

Recently Ivan has started wagging his tip of his tail. I first noticed it today while giving him a bath. It's not even the whole tail, just like... probably about half an inch at the end. He just like... waves it around. It's weird. And so I decided to look up here on the forums for why that would happen and kinda didn't really get a straight answer. Some say it was for mating, some said it was because they get excited to eat... but he wasn't eating and he doesn't have any other lizard to mate with. Lol. Anybody got a straight answer for me?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Sometimes, they do wiggle or twitch the ends of their tail in excitement sometimes, if they are chasing prey. I have a dragon who does twitch his tail, if he sees our other male especially.
How is Ivan doing now?

Tracie

 

[hooklinebrittany]

He's doing fantastic. I think he was excited to have a bath maybe. That's when he was twitching his tail most. He loves his baths. I give him one every day though so I was surprised that he was excited like that. But like I said he's doing really really good, he's grown to a whole foot long. Still not the size he should be at his age but he's closer than before. He's getting there. He's extremely active and social and his personality shows more and more every day. Things are going the way they should have from the beginning. I love him very very much and when he cuddles with me now I can tell that he feels the same. Buying him was one of the best decisions I ever made in my entire life. And I'm very glad that he's a fighter and got through the tough times with me. And it excites me that he's so healthy that he can start to feel comfortable and show his personality to me. It's all working out great. He's really really smart. When he gets cold in my room he knows how to walk himself back to his cage so he can get warm again. He's now in a 20 gallon tank as compared to the 10 gallon one he was in before that my cat broke and I temporarily fixed. Sometimes he mistakes the 10 gallon for the 20 gallon but most of the time he gets it right. He loves watching Charmed with me in the afternoon and sitting on the keyboard while I type. So yeah, everything is really really great.

 

[hooklinebrittany]

What is the www.thepats.info link at the bottom of your signature for? What is the Adenovirus? Never heard of it.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great Ivan is doing so well now & enjoying his baths, too.
It sounds like he is growing, & should soon be on mark for his age, too. The bonding process is amazing, & I am sure he is very attached to you now also. You are his mommy now.
That is cool he runs around & then wants back in his tank to go warm up. He knows where his home is!
They are very intelligent, & love to interact with people. I am happy you are enjoying him, & that he is doing wonderfully now.
Keep us posted on him. I hope he continues to improve & grow for you.


Oh my website, the pats is simply an educational website about the Adeno virus. This virus is a virus that has greatly affected the bearded dragon community quite awhile back. This was put together in an effort to raise awareness on this virus, as well as trying to encourage breeders to consider testing their dragons for this virus, to help clean up their colonies.

Tracie

 

[hooklinebrittany]

What does the Adeno virus do? How do you know if your dragon has it?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The Adeno virus suppresses the immune system by attacking the liver. Unless your dragon is showing signs of illness & you decide to test, sometimes there is no way to know that your dragon has Adeno virus. Other times, they are poor doers from the beginning which prompts you to realize that something is not right & testing can give some answers.

Tracie

 

[hooklinebrittany]

Well for now I think Ivan is okay. I don't exactly know what symptoms to look for though lol. Then again it's not like he can say "Momma my liver hurts!" Even though that would help. But that's cool that you're letting people know about it.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Yes I am trying to educate people on the Adeno virus. No, it is hard to know if they are having a liver problem. All you can do is make sure the care is optimal & if any problems arise take her in to the vet if needed.
If you decide you ever want to test, you know where to find me.

Tracie

 

[hooklinebrittany]

Well I don't need a test, but today when I was feeding Ivan he went after a cricket and wound up scraping himself on a piece of wood in his cage. It isn't bloody... It just looks like... Like the wet layers of white tissue underneath skin I guess. I see that I should get neosporin. It's really really small. Like a half centimeter at most. But I was concerned when I saw that he could get necrosis? Is that likely with a scrape that small that isn't even bloody? I will wear down the edge of the wood where he scraped himself tonight so it doesn't happen again. His skin just... looks like I imagine it would without scales I guess? It's really disturbing me and I don't want him to get sick again after all that we have fought off and after how well we have been doing. I feel like such a slow person because I don't have anybody I can trust to mentor me with this guy, I'm all on my own. No experience, and I can't really ask the local pet store because you know how that is. And I don't even think there's any herp vets in my area. So I'd really like some help from you guys if that's possible.