AboutTracie Kretzschmar Expertise I can answer questions pertaining to health, UVB specifics, overall husbandry care & supplementation, analysis of blood test results, and behavioral problems & handling. I can answer questions pertaining to bearded dragons, leopard geckos, iguanas, uromastyx & ball pythons.
I can answer adeno virus related questions in bearded dragons, & then specifically about the testing methods as well. I am beginning an Pogona Adeno Testing Society in 2008 which will help to begin to start some standardization within the bearded dragon colonies of the breeders who choose to test.
Experience I have been working with bearded dragons for over 5 years now, as well as leopard geckos, too. I am currently doing rescues, as well. I hope to be able to educate people prior to them purchasing an exotic pet in order to avoid any health crisis with them.
Education/Credentials I have a master's degree in sports medicine & physiology, & 1 year of vet tech schooling, & am currently working on a reptile certification through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
Question QUESTION: I acquired a sick juvenile bearded dragon this afternoon. Someone turned her in to the pet store and I offered to try and take care of her. We have 5 of our own so I thought I'd give it a shot. She is very weak and refuses to open her eyes. I have given her some vitamins by mouth and a warm bath to hydrate her. I put her under a light and she sits up towards it and gapes her mouth. When you hold her you can turn her over and she is completely stiff. You have to look real hard to even tell she is breathing. I actually thought she had died in my hand earlier. I put her in the water and she moved around some and started breathing heavier. I can't take her to the vet, just wondering if you have any suggestions. I don't see any visible infection in her mouth and there is no nasal discharge.
Not sure what to do for her at this point ????
ANSWER: Hello Kim,
Well, bless you for taking her in & trying as she has a better chance with you than anyone else.
What type of lighting are you using & what are the temps?
I would continue with the oral hydration. You could integrate some blended greens, bee pollen & some applesauce for her. Give her at least 5-7 days on a liquid diet before integrating protein so you can monitor her stools to make sure her system is functioning normally.
Too much protein too quickly can tax her kidneys if she is dehydrated. I would also keep her basking temps from 95-100 but no higher. She has probably not been kept at optimal temps prior to now so she wont take to higher heat very well.
Let me know how she is doing.
Good luck! :-) I hope she improves for you.
Tracie
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QUESTION: I hydrated as soon as we got her home. I gave her bee pollen and B in water orally. The lady we purchased our last two babies from recommended the combination of those two things to perk up one of the ones we got from her and it made a world of difference, so I thought we would try that on her. She is under a UVA/UVB light as well as a basking light. I orally hydrated her again this evening, she is showing some signs of life now, but has not opened her eyes at all.
Hopefully she will perk up soon.
Thank you for your help!
Kim
ANSWER: Hello Kim,
Ok, great I hope that those ingredients will help her out alot & that she will start to perk her up.
What type of UVB are you using, is it a flourescent tube light or a compact coil? What brand is it?
There are a couple of brands that are known for causing eye problems & other health problems.
Tracie
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QUESTION: Well I am sorry to tell you that I think despite all our best efforts she isn't going to make it. She is literally at deaths door but just won't give up. She is limp and unreponsive now, but still breathing. Everytime I think she is gone, she takes a breath. I hate to see her suffer, but I guess there is nothing more to do but keep her comfortable and wait.
Thank you for your time :(
Answer Hello Kim,
I am sorry. :-(( Honestly there is not any more that you could have done. She is not alone & is better off with you than being in the petstore any day! She is lucky to be with you.
She was in bad shape when you got her & it was a shot in the dark. She held on this long because she had you to care for her. Just be with her & hold her, as it will take her awhile to cross as we call "The Rainbow Bridge" & she will not be alone.
