Sometimes It Really Hurts

Last month, I got terrible news about my beloved beardie Nubs. He has adenovirus. There's no treatment, no cure, no hope. I was heartbroken. 

We did a round of antibiotics and is only helped a little bit. He has had blood in his stool and today it was more than ever. 

I talked to my vet today about him and asked if we should do a blood test or something else next. But that's unnecessary. Nubs is telling me that it's time to let him go. His beard is always black. He doesn't move much. He's ready to be done with his sick body and stumpy legs. 

Nubs is my baby. I love him the most of all my guys. I'm heartbroken, but feel peaceful. 

My New Favorite Critical Care Mix

I have all three types of  LeFeber's Critical Care powder from my vet***, but I've found its too rich for critically ill reptiles. The high nutritional content stresses their systems more than it provides nutrition. I've started using it when I need to fatten up underweight reptiles or those who are past the critical state. 

My food choice for critical reptiles is simply warmed up baby food. Sweet potatoes for very ill ones and chicken and vegetables for others. Simba got his very first bit of sweet potatoes yesterday. 

Using a syringe, I put some baby food in an ounce measuring glass and heat it up in the microwave for 5 seconds. I put a tiny amount (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) of Repashy Calcium Plus in the glass and use a toothpick to stir it in. Then I use syringes to suck up the right amount for each beardie. 

Every day, I feed this mix to my two babies (Dragon and Lucky) and then I sometimes give the leftovers to another beardie. Yesterday, Jessie ate her portion right off the spoon! 

I've had critically ill beardies that have done worse on Critical Care and then improved when I put them on baby food***. I think it's because Critical Care requires so much energy to digest and they don't have enough energy reserves for that. 

***NOTE***-- this is my personal belief and one of two recommendations from my vet that I've chosen to ignore. He highly recommends Critical Care after a reptile is sufficiently hydrated. 

The other recommendation I ignore? I let my tortoises cohabitate. Crazy, I know, but the little ones do better with friends. I realize it's a parasite spreading risk, but I monitor the situation carefully. 

So if you follow me on this, you will be outside a vet's care. After 3+ years and $15,00+ of "training," I feel qualified enough to make these decisions for the reptiles in my care. Follow at your own risk. :) 

Sad Sami

This is how Sami looks most days -- 

She's still really sick. But she does try to eat on her own and she's pooping okay. 

But most of the day, she lays on her log and doesn't move. 

It makes me sad. She's got 4 more antibiotic shots left. Hopefully that will help.