Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click here to visit Classifieds

Something Sick..

pinkweeny May 07, 2007 10:09 AM

A full grown female of mine died last week, the causes... not known, but she was prescribed panacure, calcimize (calcium up), and batryl.
I have two young bearded dragons who I'm worried have contracted the illness, or perhaps a different illness.

For the past two days and nights, These no-older-than-a-year beardies have been doing their daily activities with their eyes closed. both eyes, sometimes they open them, but HARDLY of that. This is the first ive seen them both like this and i am concerned. I may take them to the vet, but I most likely already have the medication he will subscribe.

Has anyone had a simular case with thier beardie? (that their eyes were constantly shut)

What could this be? Worms? Infection?

How can i treat it?

I was thinking of de-worming them without consulting my vet. Is there any harm in that?

Replies (2)

ginebig May 07, 2007 11:43 AM

Sorry I don't know much about beardies, but the panacur IS for worming. It couldn't hurt to try.

Quig
-----
Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

PHLdyPayne May 07, 2007 01:28 PM

Parasites and worms won't cause dragons to keep their eyes closed, especially if they are active. Only reason a dragon will close his eyes is if he is lethargic and sick, or finds the lights too bright or the UVB bulb too strong, or something is irritating his eyes (either dust from sand based substrates, grit etc) or his eyes are infected.

To my knowledge parasites, especially internal parasites won't cause the eyes to close. However, if the parasite load is heavy, he could be lethargic and thus keep his eyes closed. Vitamin or mineral deficiencies can cause problems with the eyes as well.

As you gave no indication what your female was sick with, or even her symptoms, there is no way we can say she has the same problem. Did you house all your dragons in the same cage? Or are they separated? If all kept separated then it isn't likely diseases could have spread from cage to cage, unless you use all the same feeding utensils etc.

Don't self medicate as it is way to easy to over dose, especially when you do not know what is wrong. Dewormers are hard on the body and if too strong, can cause kidney failures and other problems. If your dragon's don't have any internal parasites, there is no point stressing them out by giving them medication they don't need.

If you don't feel confident in your herp vet, check out any of the sites below for another herp vet in your area.

Also, describe in detail your setups, both for the young dragons and for your female that died recently. What you fed them, how often, did you supplement? size of cage, UVB bulbs etc. What were your females symptoms before you took her to the vet for treatment? Did the treatment seem to help? How old was she?

www.arav.org/

www.herpvetconnection.com/
-----
PHLdyPayne

Site Tools