Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, ive had my water dragon for three years. he was doing fine till one day i found him with a neck injury ( i think) any way, he starting to stop basking a week ago, he still eats but i have to hand feed him. he doesn't defecate in his water anymore just on his cage ground. hes starting to turn a light shade of brown. i found him sleeping in his water bin last night. i think he is dehydrated or has a fever, all he does is lay is head on the groung all day he doesnt run any more either and his back legs are getting weak, he is about 4 years old and it kills me to watch him like this, always running into things and dragging him self around. my parents wont let me take him to vet because even if we did find out the problem, i dont thinnk we could save him, if any one knows why he is sick, how to help him get better or put him out of his misery some quick and painless way, please write me back soon thanks, chris 8*(

Ask your parents once again for a trip to the vet - to humanely euthanize the animal (assuming they are not prepared to shell out money for treatment) Under the circumstances I can't fault their position. In an effort to have my dragon's problem diagnosed and treated - only to end up having to euthanize, cost $650.00. I don't imagine that there are many parents willing to spend that kind of money on a lizard.

If you want to try and treat your dragon,you can continue to hand feed and administer an electrolyte solution such as gatorade cut with water, or Pedialyte in an effort to rehydrate the animal. Also recommend using a Sterilite storage container with warm water and place the animal inside to soak for 2-3 hours a day, possibly even overnight (make sure the water level is no higher than the animals shoulders). If your dragon continues to deteriorate, consider my suggestions below.

You may want to call your vet and find out what the charge would be to have the animal euthanized.

It is very likely that your animal could hang on for another month or two, with no hope of recovery - without a veterinary diagnosis it is almost impossible to determine what the problem may be. If your dragons ability to move is as poor as you describe, and a vet is out of the question, put the animal in a brown shopping bag and place the bag in the freezer.

Best of luck

i have researched is symptoms and it turns out that he has MBD. medication is probally to expensive. im probally just going to call my vet and see how much a euthanization will be. i cant stand the thought of freezing my baby. thanks again for the info, chris

Even with treatment, the damage that MBD may have caused your dragon so far may very well be irreversible, but it may not mean that it is the end of your dragon's life.

As a last resort, if you have a syringe, I would advise you to dilute calcium with water and administer it to your dragon on a daily basis until you can see that he is feeling better.

Odds are if he is to the point where his back legs are immobil, he will have that paralysis for the rest of his life, but I have seen many lizards with this affliction that have lived for very long periods of time, and they live quite normal lives.

I would at least try this method, if it doesn't work or seem to be doing anything at all, then I would euthanize him.

I'm sorry that your dragon isn't well, good luck with everything.