Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My bearded Dragon has masses in her stomache. The vet does not know what they are. The vet sais they could be eggs that broke inside her or some kind of infection on her ovaries or some kind of cyst. The operation is obviously expensive and risky, but I was wondering if it is worth doing. Has anyone had a bearded Dragon that got operated on? Was it sussesful? She was very sick not too long ago, I gave her antibiotic shots for 10 daysand the vet drained a bunch of fluid out of her stomache. She seems to be doing in better, and she is now eating, but the hard masses are still there. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks in advance
Tresa

Check out this site, it will give you some great information on reptile spays: http://www.lbah.com/Reptile/iguana_spay.htm

If your female is gravid and you do not mind her being spayed (instead removing the eggs but leaving the ovaries and uterus)the the surgery is really really simple and fast. Your dragon and your vet should have no problem. the fluid in the cavity in mot a common thing with dystocia though. There is a possiblility that an egg has actually escaped into the coelomic cavity. The decomposition of the egg would then account for the fluid. Did your vet x-ray after he removed the fluid. A fluid filled cavity can make it very hard to distinguish oragans and debris in the body cavity.

Also, your vet could first attempt to extract the eggs through hormonal injections. Oxytocin can work in reptiles with about 50% success in dragons if administered within the first couple days of the onset of dystocia. Another hormone called arginine vasotocin is even more effective but it is not likely to be something your vet has at his clinic. It is extremely effective in treating dystocia in lizards.

Fluid in the coelomic cavity can indicate all kinds of things. Cancer in the body cavity can cause it to become fluid filled, an ovary that has become twisted and lost its blood supply can cause a fluid build up.

There is also the possibility of an abcess. Has she had any wounds? Neoplasms other then malignant growths could possibly be the cause.. Without x-rays I don't think that anyone can really help you. You will have to trust your vet.

If it is a reproductive problem your dragon has a good chance. If it is a neoplasm then if it is not cancer the results are very good. There are also some viral infections and parasites that can cause abcesses in the body cavity...

What is your reason for not relying on your vet in this situation? Do you not feel comfortable with him? Is there another reptile vet in your area for a second opinion? The vet is really the only person that can help you in this situation, but if you don't trust this one there is always another one somewhere..

The vet I went to is the only one in the area that knows anything at all about lizards. And they confused me. The vet seems like she is not completely sure with what is going on.

What area are you in?

south florida-boca west palm beach area near pompono/ft.lauderdale

I don't know Florida very well, but here are some suggestions. Maybe someone in your area can help you more:

Nancy DiMarco
Marinelife Center of Juno Beach
14200 U.S. Hwy. One
Loggerhead Park
Juno Beach, FL 33408

Dr James Weege
19 Sabal Island Dr.
Ocean Ridge, FL 33435

Dr Tate Posey
9850 Alt. A1A Ste 507

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-4936

Dr. Jeanette Wyneken
Florida Atlantic University
Department of Biological Sciences
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991

And if you are willing to drive three hours you have one of the top reptile vets in the world:
Dr Douglas R. Mader
1343 Long Beach Dr
Big Pine Key, FL 33043

Also, try going here and searching from your exact address. I don't have any clue whats cities are near you, so you had better look!
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
Kakadu Dragons

thanks so much for all your help.