Lizzie's story: my choice to euthanise - Page 2

concept3 · 07-21-04, 10:29 PM

Hard choice, Ive been their not with a beardie but a dog. It sucks, You obviosly made the right choice, dont ever question that, If any other animal did the same thing, that is the appropriate way do do it, If it happened in the wild It would die, If it happened to a human they tie him to a bed in a padded room, I would rather die, euthanize me if that happens to me please! good luck sorry for your loss

Linds · 07-22-04, 11:12 PM

My condolences

It's hard to lose someone, let alone if you have to 'pull the plug' yourself. I have to admit, I was beginning to be quite appauled, as up until the end it seemed you were putting her down for sheer aggression towards other animals, but I do believe you made the right choice, if it matters at all. If an animal is no longer able to live a sound life, then it is better off not having to live through the pain. I've never heard of such a thing ocurring in reptiles before (mammals such as skunks and cougars, I have), I wonder what exactly was the cause of it. How old was she?

ICULIZARD · 07-23-04, 12:45 AM

Christina,

What vet have you been dealing with? He didn't ask to see her when you described what she was doing to see if he could find a possible explanation? I have only known one dragon that chewed on it's foot, and this was after it had been bitten by another dragon and already bleeding. The dragon is missing a couple of toes but is fine today. I just feel that there must have been a medical explanation and that is the vet saw her, he may have been able to properly diagnose the dragon and fix the problem. I am not trying to make you feel worse, I know you feel horrible about it.

You know me.....I usually do not hide what I feel and speak my opinions. On that note: Personally I would not choose to put down one of our breeders at home if it had to be done. The vet will allow you to be there when she is put down and I'll have to admit that is what I would want for any of our dragons. I wouldn't be able to have it done without me there. It costs more, but it is painless and immediate for the animal.

ChristinaM · 07-23-04, 07:09 PM

Linds n' all: I would NEVER put an animal down solely for being aggressive towards others.... My "Larry" thanks that muchly, as the 4ft iggy has biten me seriously twice......my "Sassy" would like nothing better than to get a good CHOMP in ( hog isle boa ). Trust me, an aggressive animal is NOT a reason to euthanise.

Meg, my vet is a local vet and I'm quite happy with him.
Lizzie was not bit whatsoever. Yet she chewed herself. ( When I buried her yesterday, I looked and she had broken the skin and teeth marks apparant ).

I too feel there could have been a medical explaination for her behaviours....However, I do feel quite confident, that said medical issue was terminal. No I'm not a vet, nor a high expert in dragons, but I do know my lizards, the histories etc. as does my vet. Sure I could have broughten her in and subjected her to test after test.....but she showed no signs of letting up on her leg even after I removed it from her mouth

I know you aren't trying to make me feel worse, and I respect your opinions very much so.

Least, you could express your disagreement in a civil/calm manner. Thank you.

All: I think I made several mistakes:
1 big one was posting when upset. Had I been in a more "stable" state, I could have explained more thorough in the first post to save some emotions for those reading.

Two: easily misunderstood wording.

Anyways, what's done is done, no changing it now.
I thank you all for you views, comments, opinions and condolences. Burying Lizzie was the hardest part. Posting about it was the next hardest as I knew I opened myself up to lots of differing opinions. I just wanted people's opinions and to share in hopes that noone else has to go thru anything like this, and if they do, that they can feel comfortable sharing.

Peace.

ChristinaM · 07-23-04, 07:10 PM

Lizzie was 3yrs old

Sonic Reality · 07-24-04, 06:23 PM

Sorry to hear that, thats a tragic thing..
Losing a close beardie is very hard and upsetting..

I know, i lost 2, both at between 1-2 years old, due to heart failure and an abyss(i think thats how its spelt)

Took me weeks to get over them both,crying e.t.c...and if i had had to put them down myself, by any means, i know i couldnt do it..and i can imagine how much it hurts...Dave should have layed off.

herpslave · 08-01-04, 04:00 AM

As I do not want to start a problem. Im 50/50 with christina. Many bearded dragon live without feet. Most cases 2. Cage mates sometimes do this to eachother and tails. Because There either hungry, or in a too small enclosure. What was the size of the cage you had all the beardies together in? Im not questoning your intelligence, Im just curious. And howmuch do you feed your beardies everyday? Again not questioning your intelligence. I Myself have beardies very close too me. They are like a cat or dog or even a family member. When i watch t.v, One of them begs to come out and crawl all around me and watch the t.v. (walks around the room, once he escaped while I was asleep and went to sleep on me after pooping on me twice. About the thrashing itself, Was it anything malicious? Like blood dripping or major shreds? If so then most liely you made the right choice.