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Updated II :: Stargazer Disease

lindsay78 Jul 29, 2003 08:58 AM

Well, lastnight, I did the entire force feeding with babyfood and vitmain B. What a mess it made, as vitmain B is primary an orangish substance when in powder form.

This morning, the 2nd 'bad' baby could now sit with it's head in a normal position. However, when walking, it did the 'tip over' thing. She's looking alot better then yesterday, to say the least.

The original sick baby looks worse then yesterday. I'm not sure if it's because I had just turned the light on, and he was still sleepy, but none the less. They're receiving the exact same care, only the 2nd 'bad' baby is a bit larger in size ... That obviously has something to do with the recovery rate. The stronger, the better, etc.

I'll keep you all posted. I'm finding this quite interesting, and I'm appreciating everyone's input.

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Lindsay//
::Beardeddragons.ca::
lindsay@beardeddragons.ca

Replies (7)

cheyenness Jul 29, 2003 09:10 AM

>>Well, lastnight, I did the entire force feeding with babyfood and vitmain B. What a mess it made, as vitmain B is primary an orangish substance when in powder form.

>>
>>I'll keep you all posted. I'm finding this quite interesting, and I'm appreciating everyone's input.

I wish you and your babies the best... I guess I have been very lucky so far and have not had to deal with anything like this yet.

Yes, please do keep us posted.

Best of luck
Beginners Basics Reptiles
Beginners Basics Reptiles

Gunilla Jul 29, 2003 09:19 AM

I am happy to hear that one of the babies are doing much better! I hope the other one will improve soon too.

It is so sad that you and your babies have to go through this, but I actually think that sick babies are more common than we think... it's just that people don't talk about it much - I think you are great that tell us about it, so that we all can learn from it. Not that this helps YOU - but you are not alone...

I have helmeted gecko eggs four babies have hatched - two has died within a week of hatching. For no obvious reason... it is so sad, but I don't know what to do about it...

Good luck with the babies and keep us updated!
Take care….

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Teo - A Bearded Dragon

Mattman Jul 29, 2003 10:04 AM

Glad to hear one is doing a bit better then yesterday. I felt really bad when you first posted. I knew that stargazing was a bad symton to something, but was not sure what. Didn't want to freak you out any more than you were with not so clear information. I wouldn't give up on them. A while back when I helped out at a rescue we had a few beardies get dropped off showing the same symptoms. The owners could not deal with watching them like that, and could not afford proper care. We basically did what your are doing now trying to up the vitamins and calcium levels. These were star gazing and every once in a while going into convulsions where they would stiffen up and flip around uncontrolable on thier backs. It was quite upsetting to see. We seperated them from each other as not to spread any illnesses they might have back and forth, and to others not showing these symptoms. Some did pass away, but some did make it out. The ones that made it seemed healthy afterwards and as far as I know lived a normal life after the attack. I guess just hang in there with them, and let this take it's course. Not to much you can do other then what your doing now. I really appreciate you keeping us updated on this. We will all learn from each others mistakes, and hardships. I really feel terrible that you have to go through all this with your babies. I know I would be devistated. Just hang in there. Best of luck.
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Mystical Dragons

grimdog Jul 29, 2003 10:13 AM

I had 2 babies do this in about the 3-4th week after hatching (22 eggs laid 22 babies born and alive). These little ones were born out pretty large. The size of my other 3 week olds. And at 3 weeks the size of 6 week olds. So anyway they started to star gaze and lost muscle control, they were acting all crazy. I had just switched them up to 1/2 inch crickets. I thought I had read that too big food items could cause such a problem. I soaked the two of them. 1 pooped in the water and was almost instantly better. I continued to soak them for about 30 minutes daily and now I can not tell them from the other dragons. Just an idea. Worked with mine, but they are many other causes to as has been stated.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

lindsay78 Jul 29, 2003 01:26 PM
reiko Jul 29, 2003 10:47 AM

np
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reiko
photos

LindsayMarie Jul 29, 2003 11:35 AM

I am very sorry to hear that a couple of your babies are not well. I do however want to commend you on your care of the sick babies and your willingness to share this experience with others. I know how hard it can be to post anything on this forum, for fear of being attacked. I am glad to see that so far everyone has supported you, for you are a wonderful asset to this board and are greatly deserving of everyones compassion and good thoughts.

Just remember, God has a plan. We might not understand it or agree with it but we do have to accept it. Those babies are getting all the TLC they can get under your care and that is all you can do sometimes.

Sometimes an illness can look dreadful from an onlookers point of view and assuming they are in pain is automatic. But with many neurological illnesses, the victim of the horrible disease/illness, is often not in any pain at all. I am not saying that these babies are or arent in pain, because I am not a vet and cannot determine that.

I have a cat who has always been healthy, active, talkactive and quite the comedian. Last year at around 7 years of age she came up to the house, wobbling and falling over. We brought her to the vet immediately and the vet thought it to be a inner ear infection and prescribed antibiotics, ear salve and no outdoor play until better. Well we went through all the antibiotics and salve and no change. During these two weeks, she needed to be lifted up to eat, drink, go to the bathroom, etc. She could not stand on her own and when she would try she would fall over, HARD, with a LOUD thump. We piled blankets and pillows under the bed and this is where she stayed 99% of the time. Its where she felt safest, seeing as she felt exposed to all the other animals and unable to defend herself, if need be. After 2 weeks and no change we brought her back to the vet. The vet said it was probably a very bad infection and needed another round of treatment. She jump started the second treatment with a antibiotic shot and sent us home with more antibiotics to give orally. Basically to make a long story short, we went through 3 treatments of antibiotics and even after the last treatment she was not much better. A few months after the first onset of this problem, she began to walk around the house a little, but looked like a drunk cat and often fell over. We assisted her for the most part, but often when she tried on her own, when we werent looking, she would fall over towards the side her head was leaning to. Its been over a year since she came home wobbly one evening. She now walks on her own again and even goes outside once in awhile, but she stays VERY close to the house. She lives with a constant head tilt and has lost the majority of her balance. Today she talks even more then she used to and demands lots more love and treats! She sits infront of the cabinet that has the kitty treats and meows at us till we give her some!! Whether or not she was in pain those first 3-4 months, I will never know. I do know this, I didnt give up and neither did she. There were times when we thought maybe it best to put her down, but we just couldnt, because no one could say for sure if she were in pain and we felt it our duty to protect and help her if there was still hope and she wasnt in pain. We left it in Gods hands and had faith that He would do the right thing.

Sometimes thats all you can do, Lindsay.

I will pray for the babies and you and I hope that you will keep us updated. If you ever need to talk, just e-mail me and I can give you my phone number through e-mail. Take care Lindsay, LindsayMarie

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