blind beardie

[tomcat88]

give him a go, keep up the good work

 

[ozziepythons]

Marksmates I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, its only speculation that a lack of calcium while gravid caused a lack of eyes in one of the offspring. Mutations are a normal part of biology. You can't be doing too bad a job if you got a clutch to hatch!
Try to get the little one eating vegetables by gently prising open the mouth and initiating a feeding response through taste. The truth is, if the little one isn't going to survive, it won't live long anyway. Enjoy raising the rest of the clutch

 

[ADZz_93]

some are just not ment to survive, its the way of the world

 

[Tinky]

Are you prepared to hand feed for the next 12 years, a dragon that won't move much, and probably be difficult to breed.

Funnily enough one of my dragons is short sighted or something. We have to hand feed him crickets as he really struggles to catch crickets. He goes about an inch high when he grabs at anything. For his first mouthfull of veg, he lines up on the edge of the feed bowl, and then eats from the far side.

 

[TahneeMaree]

If you're up for it, oe know someone willing to adopt a lizard that needs hand feeding for possibly it's whole life then let him live, unless other complications arise, who knows. can alwayse feed fresh killed mealies and crickets so they don't move... given the chance he might learn where to find a food bowl if it is always in the same spot, he'd learn to use his nose... maybe, it's a far flung chance but animals can amaze you!

 

[Bearded_Lady]

Marksmates I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, its only speculation that a lack of calcium while gravid caused a lack of eyes in one of the offspring. Mutations are a normal part of biology. You can't be doing too bad a job if you got a clutch to hatch!
Try to get the little one eating vegetables by gently prising open the mouth and initiating a feeding response through taste. The truth is, if the little one isn't going to survive, it won't live long anyway. Enjoy raising the rest of the clutch

I completely agree. In my opinion if it was a calcium problem, more of the clutch would have been affected. I also believe this mutation was due to an unrelated cause.

 

[Dragon_Lover_85]

If a human baby is born blind to you euthanase it?
Same goes here the little fella will learn to adjust. Good on you mate for giving it a chance if only there were a lot more of you out there!
I would try suringe feeding him some moist pellets personally. Can get small feeding tube and tiny suringe from vet and cut it down so can go in its mouth. atm it wouldnt need any more than a ml 2 times a day.
Good luck with the special lil guy.

 

[Lollypop]

If a human baby is born blind to you euthanase it?
Same goes here the little fella will learn to adjust. Good on you mate for giving it a chance if only there were a lot more of you out there!
I would try suringe feeding him some moist pellets personally. Can get small feeding tube and tiny suringe from vet and cut it down so can go in its mouth. atm it wouldnt need any more than a ml 2 times a day.
Good luck with the special lil guy.

Yeah, I was wondering if he's eating & what? & was gonna suggest syringe or dob on end of nose so he can go on to live feeding when used to the touch thing. Can u let us know Marksmate how much & what he's eating? - well aware the pic is of when he first hatched with a belly full of yolk

 

[marksmates]

He is licking the food we put infront of his mouth and he did take a peice of grated carrot! it is a start but not much.

He seems to know the enclosure and gets in and out of the water bowl and climbs the rock.

I leave vegies in all the time and i'm starting to wonder if he does eat when i'm not watch (wishful thinking???)

these are pics from today.

 

[marksmates]

We have learned the trick and he is eating.

If i hold him up nice and close to the light he opens his mouth to cool down and i can pop the food in. He is more than happy to take it once we get going.

Hopefully this will continue to work and all will be good. As for his future i will have to keep him until the right person who i can trust to do the right thing by him comes along.

Thank you all for your support and advice.

 

[Chris1]

wow, good on u for giving him a chance,..ive never seen anything like that!!

i wonder if there are eye balls under there that would work it a vet could open them,...

 

[Lollypop]

Wow, you're obviously doing something right for the little one, looks good.
Chris1 might be right, would cost a pretty penny though i'd imagine. If u can't find anyone & can't keep him/her yourself, & all goes well, let me know - I'm a BIG beardie sucker!!!!!!!!

 

[marksmates]

Thanks so much will keep u posted.

 

[marksmates]

Great news everyone.

My little beardie is now eating. He has had wodies, crickets and carrot. The funny thing is when he eats he seems to make a blinking motion and i suspect there may be an eye under there somewhere.

I will give him a few days and see if it opens on is own if not i will seek further advice from a vet.

Thanks to everyone who gave me encouragement when i needed it.

 

[IgotFrogs]

hrmmm maybe its eyes are just stuck together maybe try getting a cotten ball and bathe its eyes with a little warm water ...

 

[gregcranston]

Great news everyone.

My little beardie is now eating. He has had wodies, crickets and carrot.

Are you still using the heating method and popping food in its mouth whilst it's gaping? Or have you worked out another method?

 

[LullabyLizard]

I have a blind cunningham (she was rescued, she was hit by a car) and when we put the food in the enclosure she just sniffs it out I always put it in the same position, so it is more easy for her.

 

[marksmates]

Are you still using the heating method and popping food in its mouth whilst it's gaping? Or have you worked out another method?

Yes at the moment that is still working. I always have fresh vegies in the enclosure and it's always in the same spot. Everytime i feed him i put him back half in the food bowl.

I Have tried wiping his eyes but not soaking. i'm scared of drowning him, he does lift his head up out of the water if its too deep.

 

[jewfish1]

MARKSMATES: Been following this thread for a few days now.

Have you found a vet yet?

At least the little fella is eating. Always a good start.

I commend you for sticking by him