My beloved Beardie Lezzie died today.

Question
QUESTION: My beautiful beardie that I've had since Dec. 2011 died suddenly today.  She was approximately 9 months old when I adopted her.  She has never been a great eater.  She would refuse to eat crickets so I would substitute with super worms.  At one point I had taken her to the vet and they said she had a remarkable digestive system and she promptly pooed all over everyone.  They gave me critical care which I would mix and hand feed to her along with baby food such as greenbeans, peas, squash,etc..  I was bathing her almost every day and then I backed off to 2 times weekly.  She didnt do much shedding, and she refused veggies for a long time.  I eventually got her to eat a little romaine lettuce mixed with squash, and carrots.  However, it definitely was not her favorite.  She was not very active and spent the majority of her time with me in hiding unless I was carrying her around on my shoulder.  
The last week of her life, I expanded her horizons by giving her a tiny pinky, and a horn worm.  After that she would not except any more food.  Not even the super worms which she loved.  
Last nite I came home from work and she was hiding under her log.  I lifted the log to find she had pooed but she had not run away from it.  This is unusual for her... she always went to the opposite end of the cage until it was cleaned.  I  noticed her beard went from golden orange to black and puffy and she was in a deep sleep.  I picked her up and gave her a soak in the bath, while she slept, until I rubbed her tummy and then she started struggling.  She pooed a bit and then promptly went back to sleep.  So I held her and dried her good and put her back in ther tank where she moved a bit from time to time... but always in a deep sleep.  I thought she was in brumation.  
I awoke this morning and went to feed her and found her under her rock with a mouth full of sand and her eyes rolled back and she was not breathing.  I picked her up and tried to massage her to see if I could stimulate her breathing again.  But she was already gone.  However, her body had not gone stiff yet.  I don't know where I have gone wrong.  I am totally befuddled and broken hearted.  Heck I even traveled to georgia with her and she did great.  Lezzie was 22 inches long and gorgeous orange with white nails.  I feel as if I have some how failed her either by stupidity or ignorance.  I still have 6 month old beardie, tinytot and she was abused and has broken toes.. and someone had spilled tar on her.  She has since shedded the tar skin and is doing much better altho her personality is very skittish.  She loved waving at Lezzie.  I don't want to make the same mistake with Tinytot.  If you have any suggestions, please help.
Thank you for you time hope to hear soon.
Sincerely, Diane

ANSWER: Hi Diane,

Did the vet perform any tests that might have helped explain her general lack of appetite? Tests for intestinal parasites are routine in these situations. Blood work would indicate any problems with her liver or kidneys. When a pet dies suddenly it is common for bereaved owners to blame themselves and fixate on the last thing they did (or didn't do) involving that pet. You should not beat yourself up by assuming you contributed to her death simply by varying her diet.

It sounds like she had not been thriving for some time and only an necropsy (autopsy) could hope to explain the reason. Just like any other animal, reptiles can have congenital problems such as heart or other organ/system abnormalities that limit their life. There is undoubtedly alot of in-breeding with beardeds that may contribute to that.


Let me express my sincere condolences on your loss of Lezzie. Although you did not include any information about Lezzie's environment (temperatures, lighting etc), the extraordinary effort you made with her diet and by providing veterinary care for her suggest that she had the best of care with you. Contrary to causing her death I suspect your efforts only contributed to her living as long as she did.

It sounds like Tinytot is in good hands.  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Thea for taking the time to provide some caring thoughts.  To answer your question about the vet checking for parasites, yes they did blood work and xrays and gave Lezzie a clean bill of health.  In fact they told me she was extremly healthy.  
Her environment was recently upgraded from a 20 gallon tank to a 30 due to her size.  She had a big log on one side with uv lighting and a bridge on the other end with the heat lamp.  She would occasionally bask under the heat lamp but then preferred to lay under the bridge or under the log.  I used to put a water bowl for her but then I was told as long as I was bathing her every other day or 2 times weekly that it was not necessary.
I used to use the fine sand, but switched to walnut crushed substrate.  She seemed to really enjoy the difference.  
I have since  layed her to rest between a 3 angel statue and a green leafy plant. Angels to watch over her and the plant to provide her shade.  I could not see having an autopsy done and destroying her body.  I am just thankful she died peacefully and has a beautiful resting place.
Tinytot now has Lezzie's 30 gal. tank.  She is a bit overwhelmed but is slowly adapting to the additional space.  I'm thinking another vet visit is in order as I just want the best for her.  
Beardie's are not just beardies they are our children.
You seem to understand that. I wish more people took the time to care for animals because they nourish us with love and care.  They reduce the stress in our lives just by being them and us holding them.
Thank you so much again... Sincerely Diane

Answer
Hi Diane,

Thank you for the additional information. The one suggestion I would make is to remove the walnut shells. Although they can be used with some species they have a rather bad reputation for causing problems with beardeds.They are not digestible and can cause internal lacerations in addition to impaction.  Any loose substrate can cause impaction but some are worse then others. Calcium sand and walnut shells are often cited as two of the most dangerous and regularly show up as the culprit in necropsies. Considering how few people are comfortable having necropsis performed....this represents just the tip of the iceburg.

It sounds like Lezzie was eating poorly and was seen by the vet well before your use of the walnut shells. The x-ray should have revealed any foreign material in her intestines. I wanted to point out the problem of walnut shell in the interest of Tinytot, not to suggest that they had anything to do with your loss of Lezzie.


This site outlines the various substrate choices. Reptile carpet, butcher paper or tiles are the safest option. Beardeds do not live on loose beach type sand in the wild but rather a hard packed soil with a fairly small amount of loose particles on top.

http://www.reptilecare.com/substrate.htm



WARNING: This site has a graphic photo of a dissected beardie with a walnut shell impaction. You may not want to look at it just now but be aware of the problems it can cause.

http://www.reptileboards.com/threads/for-those-who-think-walnut-substrate-is-uns