Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Meet quasimodo. Less than 24 hours old and was born with some kind of spinal problem. He toughed it out through the hatching process and is walking around on his own. All of his legs are completely functional. My initial thoughts were that he would not survive but he is only showing quick signs of improvement. Obviously his spinal problem isn't going to improve. I am still not sure how it will do with eating but my thoughts are to give it every opportunity at life. Am I being to inconsiderate of the animal in thinking this? Should this be a case of euthanasia? Watching it walk around is a heartbreaker but its determination throughout 24 hours is inspiring. What are your thoughts?

Mike
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.

Hey Mike, I'm sorry to say this, but I would very much consider euthinizing. I don't believe this is something that will get better, and I'm not sure what kind of quality of life it would have even if it did live through it. In the end it's a tough decision that only you can make.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

I think its a question of whether he is in pain or not, which is very hard to determine for BDs. I'd study to see if it looks like he's suffering when he walks (does he open his mouth for no apparent reason), does he shake, can he poop okay? If he looks like he's suffering you're not doing him any favors by keeping him alive. If he appears to be healthy and functional beyond his obvious deformity then I'd separate him and hand feed him for as long as he stays healthy. Anyway, that's a tough situation, I wish you and him luck.

I say give him a shot. The next few weeks should tell whether or not he can eat and grow properly. If not, then euthanizing him would be the humane thing to do. But until you are sure that he is suffering, give him a chance to live. At least that's what I would do. It's a tough situation, but what can you do? It's natures way. For every good mutation that increases the Darwinian fitness of an animal, there are many more that are lethal or severely crippling (which is lethal for any wild animal). Its the price life pays for evolution to occur.

I am sorry about the hatchling... But I would definately give him a chance. As long as he isn’t suffering it will be ok – in my opinion. I think Veronica at “beautifuldragons.com” took care of two dragons with similar problems. Maybe you can contact her?

I had a dragon hatching 1½ year ago and she has some problems with her joints. She looks a bit “funny” and is very small – but she is healthy and is doing great. (See pic below)

/Gunilla

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Beardies adapt very well, and as long as Quasimodo can eat, poop, bask and move around, without pain, he could very well live a happy life with his deformation.

Keep watching and see how he does, eating, eliminating, and getting around.

If he does all these things and continues to grow and do well, than you have a SPECIAL BUDDY !

I got a crippled chuckwalla over a year ago, that was under- developed due to a friends incubator being turned off by mistake.

She was going to be FROZEN, aGHHHHHHHHH anyway I took her at 6 days old, legs all unfolded and not developed right.

She had her first Birthday , and is a doll baby, walks on her wrists in front and uses her bent back legs to scaddle ~everywhere!

Eats more than my normal chucks, LOL

Just give him a chance and YOU will know IF he can do it!
I'm routing for him.

I also think B22 had a baby beardie like this he even called it

the same thing, after the hunchback, maybe you should ask him about it!

~ Wishing For The Best ~
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Eve

Lumpy was very much like Quasimodo. Look at some photos below of Lumpy...

This is a comparison photo of Lumpy and his brother Socket ...

We got Lumpy on Sept. 26, 2003. He was about a month old at the time and was eating and pooping just fine. Although he walked a little crooked which was understandable considering his "S" shaped spinal condition. Our very knowledgable reptile vet said that he didn't believe Lumpy was in any pain because he ate well (he gave those crickets a run for their money!), he pooped normal, he slept good, he basked, and he had a very pleasant disposition.

We were lucky enough to have him with us until January of this year. I think he would've been with us even longer but an unfortunate accident took his life.

Also, Lumpy didn't really grow much. When we got him he was 4" long and weighed 2 grams. His brother, Socket, was the same weight and length. At the time Lumpy died he was 5" and 6 grams, where his brother was 10 1/2" and 51 grams. He only grew one inch and gained 4 grams in the four months we had him. Dispite his slow growth, he ate several crickets daily and even several bites of finely chopped "salad." We also gave him a daily mixture of baby food, calcium, and occasionally put some acidophilus and multi-vitamins in it. He eagerly licked up this tasty slurry. Because he didn't eat very many greens, we didn't want him to get dehydrated, that's why we gave him a daily slurry.

We knew he wouldn't be with us for a very long time, but since he wasn't in pain, or appeared to be in any pain, we kept him as comfortable as we knew how. So, if Quasimodo doesn't appear to be in any pain, I would let him live as long of a life as he can. There is a lot to be said about a beardie owner that will do this. It's hard on your heart and even harder when they leave us. But when he does leave, you'll know that you gave it your best shot and gave that little beardie something that most others wouldn't.

Good luck. And please let me know if I can help out in any way. I've been through this already.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

to offer him since you had one you cared for that was like this baby.

Bless you!
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www.reptilerooms.com

I would humanely euthanize it. Since reptiles don't often show any sign of pain or discomfort unless it's extreme, there really isn't any way to tell if it's in pain or not. A vet may know of a way to straighten the spine etc, but most likely the chance of success of such a procedure wouldn't be worth the cost.