Panicking!

[Kristina Rogers]

I hope your little guy pulls through this. It’s amazing how attached we become to them so quickly.

 

[Sadie]

Kristina, he was gagging like he was choking on something initially. It was almost as if he was regurgitating food because he'd chew and swallow a lot even though he wasn't eating anything. He also had a lot of saliva around his mouth that was bubbling. That with the elevated WBC led them to believe it may have been an infection.

Thanks, Rex!

That would be a sign of RI and it can be caused by lack of UVB-- make sure you get copies of anything they do Xrays blood work etc-- your dragon is very sick I would set up a hospital tank - take out the hammock and any high basking decor so he cannot climb - w/ him stumbling all over the place he is likely to hurt him self - I would take the screen off the tank get the fixture I recommended put it width wise across the middle of that tank along w/ the basking bulb so hes sitting under both of them get a piece of decor something that is wide like a shoe box it can be cut so it has a slant to climb on and low I would cover it w/ a dish towel for softness etc -- basking temp on that decor should be anywhere from 95-110 - place your probe thermometer on it and get a temp -- the UVB distance should be 12-15 inches for a Arcadia or a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb - please post back here w/ updates after the vet visit- they need to do a calcium level on him -- I would see if you can get some Oxbow Critical Care for him Herbivore and Omnivore -- they can be mixed together and can be fed off a spoon if he will lick or fed by syringe - it is some thick stuff but very good -- you will need to water it down so it soupy and you may need to cut the very tip off the syringe so it does not plug -- you will need to feed very slowly little at a time so he does not aspirate -- see if the vet recommends that --

 

[Sadie]

That would be a sign of RI and it can be caused by lack of UVB-- make sure you get copies of anything they do Xrays blood work etc-- your dragon is very sick I would set up a hospital tank - take out the hammock and any high basking decor so he cannot climb - w/ him stumbling all over the place he is likely to hurt him self - I would take the screen off the tank get the fixture I recommended put it width wise across the middle of that tank along w/ the basking bulb so hes sitting under both of them get a piece of decor something that is wide like a shoe box it can be cut so it has a slant to climb on and low I would cover it w/ a dish towel for softness etc -- basking temp on that decor should be anywhere from 95-110 - place your probe thermometer on it and get a temp -- the UVB distance should be 12-15 inches for a Arcadia or a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb - please post back here w/ updates after the vet visit- they need to do a calcium level on him -- I would see if you can get some Oxbow Critical Care for him Herbivore and Omnivore -- they can be mixed together and can be fed off a spoon if he will lick or fed by syringe - it is some thick stuff but very good -- you will need to water it down so it soupy and you may need to cut the very tip off the syringe so it does not plug -- you will need to feed very slowly little at a time so he does not aspirate -- see if the vet recommends that --

Ok I see your feeding the Oxbow already --- keep me posted please --

 

[Rebeca]

Yes, I'm already using Oxbow Critical Care. Last night the vet had me remove everything from his tank so he doesn't hurt himself. I dropped him off at the vet this morning and am anxiously waiting to hear from them.

PS-If you're wondering why I only refer to him as "he" is because my son really wants to name him Zumi, but is hesitant to because he doesn't "zoom" or anything close to it. He wants to wait and see if he's going to make it before he names him... =(

 

[Sadie]

Yes, I'm already using Oxbow Critical Care. Last night the vet had me remove everything from his tank so he doesn't hurt himself. I dropped him off at the vet this morning and am anxiously waiting to hear from them.

PS-If you're wondering why I only refer to him as "he" is because my son really wants to name him Zumi, but is hesitant to because he doesn't "zoom" or anything close to it. He wants to wait and see if he's going to make it before he names him... =(

I understand --- sometimes we have people not even know what sex they are and then we have others think they have a she when its a he and vise versa -- if you get him back or if they suggest treatment I would suggest the hospital tank set up -- this is a terrible situation - he is too young to have to deal w/ this kind of medical problem-- but lack of proper care has brought all this on --- the people that have the other dragon are going to end up w/ the same issues - they are too ignorant to see what is going on -- or they just dont care -- please keep me posted

 

[Rebeca]

I just got a call from the exotics vet. They are suspecting it could possibly be Atadenovirus, or, more likely, a vascular event such as a stroke. They can test for ADV, but the results will take 7-10 days, and they feel he needs to be kept there for monitoring and treatment of his symptoms. The doctor said he is gravely ill and the neurological symptoms are very severe. If it would turn out that he has ADV, the only thing that can be done is supportive care and treatment of the symptoms as the virus cannot be cured and will remain with him as long as he lives. If it is a stroke that he had, the damage is done and will not improve.

They are going to be calling me back with an estimated cost for his care. Hospitalization alone is over $300 a day, and any additional testing or treatment would be on top of that. It would be 1 thing if his treatment would make him better, but the vet was clear in stating that he will most likely remain as he is, if he even makes it.

I don't want him to suffer, but he is and will continue to if I have him treated... This is so awful and incredibly unfair!

 

[Sadie]

I just got a call from the exotics vet. They are suspecting it could possibly be Atadenovirus, or, more likely, a vascular event such as a stroke. They can test for ADV, but the results will take 7-10 days, and they feel he needs to be kept there for monitoring and treatment of his symptoms. The doctor said he is gravely ill and the neurological symptoms are very severe. If it would turn out that he has ADV, the only thing that can be done is supportive care and treatment of the symptoms as the virus cannot be cured and will remain with him as long as he lives. If it is a stroke that he had, the damage is done and will not improve.

They are going to be calling me back with an estimated cost for his care. Hospitalization alone is over $300 a day, and any additional testing or treatment would be on top of that. It would be 1 thing if his treatment would make him better, but the vet was clear in stating that he will most likely remain as he is, if he even makes it.

I don't want him to suffer, but he is and will continue to if I have him treated... This is so awful and incredibly unfair!

If he does have adv the other dragon has it too as it is extremely contagious-- well one step.at a time - did they say anything about a RI? I would get your tank situated in the meantime I am sure you don't want to leave him at the vet--- I guess I would get ready for him get the adv test done and go from there-- if it turns out he does not have it you will haft to decide on whether you want to take care of him beings he is going to stay this way - I am so sorry things have turned out this way - adv you have no control over but the stroke was more than likely brought in by the improper lighting and all around husbandry conditions- but it also could of been genetics as well - I am sure all the factors are contributing

 

[Sadie]

Update on your dragon please

 

[Rebeca]

Sadly, he passed last night. The neurological damage was just too severe to survive... Thank you all for your help, encouragement, and support.

 

[Sadie]

Sadly, he passed last night. The neurological damage was just too severe to survive... Thank you all for your help, encouragement, and support.

I am so sorry - he never really had a chance w/ as long as he went w/ out the proper care- did you have the adv test done? I don't know if you plan on getting another one but if you do make sure you disinfect the tank w/ Zoo Meds Wipeout or rescue or F10--- if you need any more help please post and ask

 

[REX-BEARDY]

Sadly, he passed last night. The neurological damage was just too severe to survive... Thank you all for your help, encouragement, and support.

Oh, that is awful, i am so sorry, poor little guy. please, make sure you replace him.

 

[Rebeca]

I do plan on replacing him and my friend is looking for one for us. I have the Zoo Med Wipe Out to disinfect everything that can be disinfected, and I plan on discarding the things that can't be. Thanks again, and I'll let you know when we get our new addition to the family!

 

[Yvonne G]

That's too bad. I'm sorry he passed.