Please help! Vets can't figure out what's wrong...

[izzy824]

My bearded dragon is about 8 years old and has been swollen in her belly and beard for the past week. She has been making gurgling sounds and almost seems to be sneezing at times. She also sometimes shakes her head very quickly like a human would do if they had an itchy nose. This all sounded like a respiratory infection, so I took her to the vet today and after hours of x-rays and blood work they said they didn't know what was wrong. They said her body and beard have a yellow liquid inside that is causing the bloating and "gurggling". They said they had never seen anything like this and wanted to do an ultrasound as well. Being that they didn't know what was wrong with her at this point, I didn't want them poking and proding at her anymore. She has been eating and has gone to the bathroom and the x-rays showed no evidence of impaction. I can tell that it is painful for her to put her beard down and is sleeping with her head up. Is there anyone who has any idea what this could be? Please help!

 

[staylor]

sorry you had to find us this way. I am still fairly new so I don't have an answer for you. Where do you live and one of us may be able to get you to a different vet that may know. I hope someone on here can help you.

 

[izzy824]

I live in Pearland, TX. Thanks for your help! I am very worried. She is my home and classroom pet and my little ones love her just as much as I do.

 

[li]

Hi and sorry you are finding us in the manner. Eight years for a beardie is a pretty good life span. Many don't make it that long. You must have done a great job in caring for her.

K....I hate giving news like this and maybe your vet will find something and my story won't be what's happening to your girl. My beardie was a little younger and was perfectly healthy. Never had any health problems not even a parasite. About 2 years ago...actually exactly we started going through almost the same thing. Spyro would go completely crazy shaking his head and frothing. He would stop breathing then gasp and go stiff. Almost like a seizure. Then he would be good for a couple of days and I would think he had something and he was fine. Each time I would get him into some warm water and just really massage him good. Finally on a Friday, he did it again in the morning. I was hysterical. He just wasn't good...I took him to the vets. I knew even before we got there that it wasn't good. I had already made my mind up that I was going to put him down. My husband had to drive me because I was just so hysterical. When we got to the vets she came out and met me and took Spyro out back to give him a look over. She came out and told me that all his organs were just shutting down. She said that to her it just looked like it was an "end of life" thing. She said she could tell by his body weight/fat that he hadn't been sick. They did a few tests and couldn't find anything particularly wrong with him. She told me that there was nothing we could have done and we made the decision to put him down.


The reason I am telling you this is that if the vet has done tests and they can't find anything, then this could possibly be the same type of thing. I really hope not for your sake. I just want you to know that you can do everything possible for your beardie and it just might not be enough. Nothing else you could have done. I know this for a fact. Anybody on this forum that knew me when Spyro was alive can tell you that he was a very spoiled dragon.

One question....what is the temp in her tank?

Good luck and please keep us informed as to what is the outcome with the vets and such.

 

[staylor]

With his age I do agree with Lisa, it could just be the end. But if your anything like me you might want a second opinion if money permits. I found this for you:
Larry N. White, DVM
Briarcrest Veterinary Clinic
1492 Wilcrest Drive
Houston, TX 77042
Tel: (713) 789-8320
Comments:
This is the only vet that I will take my herps to, and everyone that I know who owns herps agrees with me. I have taken in various turtles, lizards, and snakes. He acctually knows what he is talking about(he doesn't have to reference a book)and breeds herps of his own! (03/12/04)

Dan Jordan, DVM
Animal Avian Hospital
2422 Robinhood
Houston, TX 77005
Tel: (713) 524-3800
Fax: (713) 524-8314
Comments:
# JR (12/29/04)

Natalie Antinoff, DVM
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
1111 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Tel: (713) 693-1111
Fax: (713) 693-1110
Comments:
# RN - Ms. Antinoff has treated my Iguana for 12 years and is extremely competent and knowledgeable in the Herp field. She has a genuine interest in the care of Herps. (01/07/07)

Brenda Flores, DVM
Westbury Animal Hospital
4917 S Willow Drive
Houston, TX 77035
Tel: (713) 723-3666
Fax: (713) 723-0317
Comments:
# DW - Small animal clinic with Dr Brenda Flores and Dr. Heather Puksta both having extensive exotic backgrounds and experience with reptiles, birds and small mammals. (09/14/07)

 

[izzy824]

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful words and your concern. The poor little thing is so worn out she is actually sleeping for the first time in days. Unfortunately she is having to rest on her swollen beard. I have thought about the possibility of it being her time, and if it is I know she has had a great life giving joy to hundreds of kids and of course me. It still stinks though. I will just keep hoping for the best. It sounds like your beardie was a wonderful guy! Thank you for the vet recommendations as well. I will be contacting them tomorrow.

 

[pscaulkins]

Wow, I am so sorry to hear this. Since she is 8 y/o, you did something right like Lisa said. That's quite old for a beardie.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[Pogie]

Welcome to the forum, sorry it has to be because of something like this.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this, will be crossing fingers that the new vet can maybe help.

Keep us posted

 

[li]

Please keep us updated as to what is going on. Thinking about you!

 

[renich]

Wow, I too am so sorry that you had to find us this way. And as everyone pointed out 8 years is a great age for a dragon. Hats off to you for caring for her.

I'm sorry that I can't offer any insight. I have never heard of this. I'll try to see if some of our very experienced members have. If it were me, I'd go get a second opinion. Try and find someone who has more herp vet experience.

Good luck and keep us posted!