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Very Sick Beardie.... Please Help!

MidnightFalcon Jul 02, 2003 10:21 AM

I just got a very sick beardie... and I'm not so sure if I should take it to the vet because I don't know what it has, except for severe MBD. It drags it's back legs when it walks and their kinda' 'folded' like a frog's he doesn't move much but his appetite is increasing. When I first got him he wouldn't eat anything but after about 4 days he'll eat a few leaves of collard greens and 6-10 superworms dusted in Rep-cal. His mouth hangs open constantly, and he can chew his superworms up very well.. his teeth seemed to be glazed over with some type of rubbery substance..? The inside of his mouth is yellow.. and I know he has a resp. infection. I soaked him as soon as I got him.. and everyday after that. He seems to be doing a bit better but I'm still concerned.

Can anyone tell me what's wrong and if I can help in anyway or should I find a vet A.S.A.P.?

Replies (5)

grimdog Jul 02, 2003 10:39 AM

Vet ASAP. Resp infections do not get better by themselves unless very minor. The MBD needs immediate action. High amounts of UVB and injections of calcium/vitD will be very beneficial. Also any dragons that I suspect of having a calcium powder I give them calcium orally. I like to mix RepCal with D3 with pedialyte. If the dragon was really dehydrated the problem could be lack of electrolytes. Which the pedialyte will take care of. To administer meds I hold a dragon in my left hand and place the dragons back against my stomach. With my forefinger and thumb I pull the dragons mouth open, maybe not an issue with yours. Then I use a syringe to administer the meds. I would start with the pedialyte and caclium mix now, it won't hurt. Start slowly and make sure the dragon is swallowing the mixture. You can get syringes without needles at CVS or most other Pharmacies. Hope this help but get the dragon to a reptile vet as soon as possible.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Mattman Jul 02, 2003 11:03 AM

That sounds like a serious case of mbd. Also with the teeth glazed over like you said, sounds like possible mouth rot, but mbd can effect the jaw also. See a vet fast. In the time being give calcium like grimdog said, and if sunny outside take him out for some strong uvb, uva can't hurt any.
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Photos

MidnightFalcon Jul 02, 2003 11:12 AM

Alright, the quickest I can get it to vet is on Monday.. at the latest next Wednesday.. because we just payed rent and don't have the money but the tax return should be coming pretty soon. Pedialite mixed with the repti-cal, right? And a lot of UVB sunlight, I may not be able to do that because it's Florida and we have 40 and 50 percent chance of rain all week long.. but I have been taking it outside for about 2 hours a day. It is pooping.. primarily on me.. so I guess this is a good sign. So I should feed it plus give it the mixture, take it outside, and soak it. Do you think it would be okay to go a get him de-wormed. The pet shop up the street does it for free.. or do you believe he is too sick?

Mattman Jul 02, 2003 11:23 AM

At this time since he is not doing so well I would wait. Don't want to add any harsh meds on top of his condition right now. When you go to the vet on Monday take a stool sample with you for checking for parasites. Ask the pet store what he uses to deworm. I am curious about that. Thanks.
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Photos

grimdog Jul 02, 2003 12:21 PM

Wouldn't really worm it till he starts to come around some more.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

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