I am posting this to see if anyone has any advice or experience with fluid buildup in the abdomen and beard. I am hoping the vet is wrong, or that the collective knowledge of the community could have a suggestion. About 10 days ago, I noticed my 14 month old dragon Sherlock's eyes were bulging out of his head to the point where he couldn't close them (more than the usual pre shed bulge). His beard also seemed a bit puffy, and he was a little lethargic. I don't know how gradual the condition came on because I was out of town for a few days.
I took him to the most reputable reptile vet in the area last week. He said that Sherlock had a lot of fluid buildup in the abdomen and throat, and drew approximately 20cc of it and sent it to a lab. The vet said that the fluid caused pressure behind his eyes. Sherlock was started on antibiotics, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory. He's been getting them all week. Over the weekend he looked even worse, with his eyes so swollen that they were pushed toward the back of the sockets and he couldn't see in front of him. Tuesday and wednesday he It seems like he was feeling a little better, and his eyes were less swollen but still abnormal. He's still been somewhat active, and eats several crickets if I hand feed him, but he can't really see to catch them himself. He hasn't shown interest in the greens I've offered, though he has always been good about eating them in the past. He's only defecated once in the past week, which is abnormal for him.
Last night the vet called with the results from the lab which indicated that the fluid wasn't caused by a virus or infection, and that it was most likely caused by the heart and/or liver, which indicates the onset of organ failure. He said that they didn't do any xrays because they are expensive and he wouldn't be able to see anything anyway because of the fluid buildup. He said that we were doing the only treatment available and should continue the meds until they run out next week, at which time he would do a follow up exam. He said that the prognosis is not good and he may need to be euthanized. Exploratory surgery is an option to look for a tumor or blockage but he said the probability of finding anything is very low and the expense would be high. He said that it doesn't sound like anything wrong with our husbandry and that it may be a genetic defect. The vet also said that he may hang on like this for awhile if he is drained of fluid periodically, but if he's as miserable as he looks and going to die anyway then i don't want to prolong it. He was purchased by my girlfriend at a very reputable reptile store in our area that gets it's beardies from local breeders, but I have no idea about the parentage.
Does anyone have any input or experience with this? I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can. As far as husbandry, he's kept in a home made cage 18 inches by 36 inches, with a lacquered wood floor and no substrate except for occasional paper towels. I use a weak bleach solution periodically on the floor, and generally use paper towel to clean up his mess. Basking temp is about 110 deg, the floor of the cage at the opposite end is about 77. He's fed crickets and greens, with crickets dusted every couple of days with d3 calcium and vitamin supplement. He is misted or soaked periodically, but hasn't shown any interest in a water dish so I took it out.
Any help would be appreciated. At this point I'm not hopeful but maybe someone will know something.
I took him to the most reputable reptile vet in the area last week. He said that Sherlock had a lot of fluid buildup in the abdomen and throat, and drew approximately 20cc of it and sent it to a lab. The vet said that the fluid caused pressure behind his eyes. Sherlock was started on antibiotics, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory. He's been getting them all week. Over the weekend he looked even worse, with his eyes so swollen that they were pushed toward the back of the sockets and he couldn't see in front of him. Tuesday and wednesday he It seems like he was feeling a little better, and his eyes were less swollen but still abnormal. He's still been somewhat active, and eats several crickets if I hand feed him, but he can't really see to catch them himself. He hasn't shown interest in the greens I've offered, though he has always been good about eating them in the past. He's only defecated once in the past week, which is abnormal for him.
Last night the vet called with the results from the lab which indicated that the fluid wasn't caused by a virus or infection, and that it was most likely caused by the heart and/or liver, which indicates the onset of organ failure. He said that they didn't do any xrays because they are expensive and he wouldn't be able to see anything anyway because of the fluid buildup. He said that we were doing the only treatment available and should continue the meds until they run out next week, at which time he would do a follow up exam. He said that the prognosis is not good and he may need to be euthanized. Exploratory surgery is an option to look for a tumor or blockage but he said the probability of finding anything is very low and the expense would be high. He said that it doesn't sound like anything wrong with our husbandry and that it may be a genetic defect. The vet also said that he may hang on like this for awhile if he is drained of fluid periodically, but if he's as miserable as he looks and going to die anyway then i don't want to prolong it. He was purchased by my girlfriend at a very reputable reptile store in our area that gets it's beardies from local breeders, but I have no idea about the parentage.
Does anyone have any input or experience with this? I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can. As far as husbandry, he's kept in a home made cage 18 inches by 36 inches, with a lacquered wood floor and no substrate except for occasional paper towels. I use a weak bleach solution periodically on the floor, and generally use paper towel to clean up his mess. Basking temp is about 110 deg, the floor of the cage at the opposite end is about 77. He's fed crickets and greens, with crickets dusted every couple of days with d3 calcium and vitamin supplement. He is misted or soaked periodically, but hasn't shown any interest in a water dish so I took it out.
Any help would be appreciated. At this point I'm not hopeful but maybe someone will know something.
best thing you can do is keep him comfy and love on him and when it seems the time it's time. I'm sorry your experiencing this 
