Critically ill bearded dragon - opinions wanted.

Jen Pigs Fly

So my 4 year old bearded dragon was showing signs of being unwell last Friday - she was very grey and sunken in and refused all food even her fav treat of locusts. Changed up her heat lamp as thought she may have been cold.

Still refused food Saturday and Sunday.

On Monday she went to eat some meal worms and vomited a lot of blood.

Rushed her to he exotics vet where she was examined. She vomited blood once more. X-ray showed no broken bones. Heart is slow and very anemic.

She has been in the vet since Monday. On Tuesday she vomited more blood but took 2 liquids feeds. Vet had her an antibiotics and pain killers as well as fluids. Stated she is very listless, very sunken in and very withdrawn in herself.

Now today I got a call stating she is showing no signs of progress, and has since been moved onto morphine but still no signs of her reacting. Blood tests done which shows she is anemic and her blood level sugars are very low. Said she is listless and has not made an attempt to move at all.

Possible diagnosis is stomach cancer, I have to ring back in a bit to confirm weather she should be PTS or not.

I'm all over the place, I know if she's in pain and she's unresponsive for so long it's right to put her out of her misery, however I have a niggling feeling st the back of my head. Perhaps it's just the apprehension of the call and having to put her to sleep this evening.

So in your opinion do you think I've done all I can for her? I have such s small amount of doubt but it's eating me up.

exaisle

I think you've done all that could be reasonably expected.

In the interests of her not suffering any more, there's only one course you can take.

Sorry.

Jen Pigs Fly

exaisle wrote: »

I think you've done all that could be reasonably expected.

In the interests of her not suffering any more, there's only one course you can take.

Sorry.

You're right, I know it's the best thing. Perhaps it's normal to always have that doubt at the back of your mind. I do not want her to suffer anymore

jellybear

If there's something niggling would you consider a 2nd opinion? Bairbre O Malley in Bray is wonderful with exotic animals, although this could be where your dragon is?

Unfortunately it doesn't sound promising though.
I'm so sorry you're going through this

Jen Pigs Fly

jellybear wrote: »

If there's something niggling would you consider a 2nd opinion? Bairbre O Malley in Bray is wonderful with exotic animals, although this could be where your dragon is?

Unfortunately it doesn't sound promising though.
I'm so sorry you're going through this

Exactly where she is, and I know she's the best I need to trust her judgement when it comes to exotics.

It's awful I had a glimmer of hope that she may be ok but she's just not fighting anymore

jellybear

Awh Bairbre really is wonderful and I would trust her judgement even though it is so heartbreaking. Just remember you've given her a great life and you're doing what's best for her.

Will be thinking of you. X

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Jen Pigs Fly

She's gone, she started vomiting blood again as was in pain so the decision has been made. Bairbre will do an autopsy for me to find out what was wrong and she was given a dignified end

Thanks everyone for your words it helped put it into perspective that I'm doing the right thing.

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jellybear

So sorry for your loss

kathleen37

So sorry for your loss. Take care
xx

aonb

always so hard to loose a loved pet, but you did your best for her

Jen Pigs Fly

Thanks guys for the kind words

Jen Pigs Fly

Quick update if anyone who's interested.

Post-mortem received today - she was worse than thought, she had acute organ failure, especially her liver which was overflowing with bile. As a result her stomach had ruptured and all of her organs failed, confirmed not a husbandry problem but a freak medical problem that could not have been caught or diagnosed.


Now I know I did the right thing. And she will now contribute to furthering medical research into reptile care and husbandry.

exaisle

Thank you for the update. Sorry to hear the news.

For what it's worth, any animal would be so lucky to have you as their owner/carer.