UPDATE: out of danger zone

[beardie1434]

I had re-homed a bearded dragon a few months ago. Set-up they showed was great and they talked knowlegable, gave all the correct answers to all my questions about care and habitat and diet. Well I went to check in on things to find that the couple are having issues and the poor beardie is the one suffering the most. Extremely underweight was very dehydrated and I believe she is in need of anti-biotics as well. Needless to say I can't get into the vet now until after Christmas . Beardie is now safe and warm and getting frequent warm shallow baths and I have given her a slurry of collards, squash and a taste of mango(her favorite food) being careful not to feed too much too quick so her stomach can adjust to proper diet/food again. Anything else that anybody can suggest to get me thru the weekend? Please I feel that I am forgetting something due to how upset this whole situation has me.
WARNING PHOTOS ARE VERY UPSETTING!!!

 

[beardie parents]

Is she eating? The only thing I can think of is baby food. I also read (after posting the previous sentence) that you fed her a slurry. I'm sure that will work, also.

 

[beardie1434]

She was a little hesitant compared to her former feeding response to mango or mango flavoring(when I previously owned her). her third warm bath she perked up some and moved under the spout (which is also something she did all the time before). Cleaner her up real good with a soft tooth brush. Noticed a hard mass in her belly though that really has me scared now.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The poor baby.
For now, I would focus on rehydration especially for about 3-5 days. When reptiles are dehydrated, the kidneys are under stress.
So go easy on the protein for a little while until she starts having normal stools again. Monitor the urate output to ensure that there is adequate urates & that they are soft.
The slurries are very good to start with right now.
The harder mass could be an impaction. What type of substrate was she on?

Please keep us posted on her.

Tracie

 

[nikkiperry2580]

Hello,
I'm so sorry your having to go through this. It's very upsetting and I can't imagine what your feeling. Has she pooped since you've taken her back? I'm wondering if she has an impaction. What type of substrate did they have her in? Could it have been something she'd accidentally eaten? I think that your doing the right thing with the soft food/baby food. Are you giving her calcium and vitamins mixed in with her food? Just make sure she's getting her water and warm baths, that will help if this hard mass in her belly is an impaction. Keep up the good work and get her to the vet asap, after the holidays. Good luck and keep us posted.
Nikki

 

[beardie1434]

She was on tile, no chips or cracks seen, however one of them decided to uses a log from their yard for her basking spot( it did not look like it was baked to kill anything that may have been on it or in it :x ). I am using t-rex multi vitamin and calcium w/ D3 mixed in her slurry and placed her under a brand new Reptisun 10.0 UVB and 75 watt incadescent for heat. I have her on repti-carpet with shallow water bowl in viv. I am holding out a couple of days for a climbing/basking log or at least till she gets strength back then the heat light will be adjusted to ensure proper temps. I have her basking temp at 90-95 for now and will increase to normal range once hydration is better. I too have been wondering about possible impaction or kidney flair up as well. She did poo once, urates appeared to have possible low calcium and remainder was gummy in apearance. She attempted a second time with no result while I was giving her right side gentle massage during her last bath. I have already ordered more Reptaid incase there are any parasites and am picking up more probiotics just to have on hand.

Thank you!

 

[beardie1434]

Here is a before picture. She loved to dig so sometimes I would put her in an empty tank with some sand for a little supervised "dig time"

 

[Atrax]

Poor baby I hope she'll get to her old self soon for you. You're doing great, keep up the good work.

 

[AHBD]

The hard mass may be unlaid eggs.....I hope that's not whhat it is, but there's a chance that she's eggbound. She does need to see a vet ASAP. Since you say she loved to dig, that may be why she was digging. For now, keep up the soft foods and add extra calcium.

 

[nikkiperry2580]

Well, your clearly doing everything spot on! Just continue on the track your on and I'm sure you will see and improvement in a few days. I would still take her to the vet to be on the safe side, but your doing great! I'm glad you thought enough of her to take control of the situation and get her to safety! Good mommy! lol. I hope you and your beardie have a wonderful Christmas! Keep us posted!
Nikki

 

[jeritta]

It sounds like you are doing a good job with her. I am sure she will be back to her old self in no time. Have a Merry Christmas. Keep up the slurries and warm baths.

 

[beardie1434]

Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and possibilities. You guys and gals are the greatest! I learned so much when I joined this site over a year ago and I guess we are always learning more.

This morning she is very alert, not to active yet but more than last night.

She has not done any digging or tried since I took her back, she had laid eggs last spring and had no complications with the process then. She was the only reptile in the place she was and I have her in my living room instead of even near my other dragons to reduce her stress and not expose my others in case she picked up anything potentially contagious while she was out of my care.

I do not believe she is egg bound but I know it is always a possibility, I really am hoping that it is only early or temporary liver or kidney as her chances are so much better for recovery if one of those is the problem. Looking like Monday we will be able to get into the vet.

 

[beardie1434]

Update: mass fells a little softer and she just had a lot of poo. Urates looking better too!


Vet appt set for Monday...They also said if she takes a turn and things get worse call and they will get the vet for me at anytime. That makes me feel a lot better.

 

[nikkiperry2580]

I am so glad to hear she's coming around. That's great news! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.
Nikki

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It sounds like she is starting to improve slowly. Keep on giving her the slurry right now, to help with kidney function. It is possible that from dehydration, she has had some urate build up which can harden.
I hope that she doesn't have eggs! That would not be good in her state right now.
Do not introduce much protein quite yet, not until her urates are normal. If you want to add a small amount of chicken or turkey baby food with the greens & veggies slurry that is ok.
Has her beard been black at all?
Please let us know how she is doing! You are doing great, with her & I know she appreciates it.

Tracie