I'm going crazy.

[Lena]

Well, as some of you may know, my bearded dragon was diagnosed with parasites last week. Ever since I've been going nuts. Worrying like crazy. I just don't know what to do with myself when it comes to my animals.

I just feel as though I've been neglectful in some way though I've done my very best. The vet told me the parasites have probably been with him since before I had him, but I just can't shake the feeling.

And now I'm driving myself nuts thinking all of my animals are sick. And maybe they are. I just don't know. Just because they miss a day or two of eating. I feel like they're all losing weight. It just makes me feel like a terrible owner!

I'm afraid they've all got parasites, and I've no idea how it happened!

Ugh.

 

[Haligren]

I'm sorry you're stressing out about this. I can sympathize as I freak out about my pets too. Hell, I feel like a horrible person if I accidentally step on my cat's tail! And I'm sure you saw my other posts when I was freaking out about Fafnir not eating or being too friendly. Because he wasn't reacting like I had hoped he would, I convinced myself that I was doing something wrong, and I still can't help but feel responsible for his death. Or all the deaths of the reptiles in my care at the pet store.

Take solace in the fact that you care enough to freak out about it at all. And that you'll make life for your pets that much more awesome. Just remember to take time for yourself; you've done everything you can to ensure the health and happiness of your animals. You are not at fault for your bearded dragon's parasites. Concentrate on making his life that much more enjoyable and don't dwell on the bad things. Your life as well as his is much too short for that.

Of course, I'm horrible at practicing what I preach. I'd probably be feeling just as miserable and self-blaming as I would in your position.

 

[Lena]

Thanks Cassandra. I appreciate the advice.

I've been trying to calm myself. Turns out my way of doing that is cleaning ALL of my reptile stuff. Which can't hurt in this situation.

But with the amount of hand washing and enclosure cleaning.. You should see how cracked and dry my hands are! Ouch!!

 

[T&KBrouse]

Lena, I'm sure your other animals are just fine. I know how you feel. When one baby gets sick, its natural to worry about any others in your care. The reality is, though, no matter how careful we try to be or how meticulous our cleaning habits, sometimes they just get sick. This doesn't make you a bad reptile momma. It actually makes you a good one, as you got the vet care your little one needed. That speaks volumes for the amount of concern, devotion and love you have for your babies.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Everyone is doing just fine. How could they not be with such a great mom to care for them?

 

[Lena]

I know.. It's been a rough couple of months. I had a fire skink (probably sick before I bought him) die on me a day after the show I bought him at. And now Fonz's sick. The thing that gets me though, is the question "Would they be better off in the wild? Would they be happier? Am I depriving them of something or making them less healthy?"

Though I'm sure most of them probably wouldn't have survived to adulthood, as mother nature is cruel.. But those questions still bother me.

I hold onto things like my bond with Fonzie. She knows and trusts me, that I can tell.
Her stress marks always go away when I cuddle her.

Thank you for your kind words, K.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Going Crazy

Well I can understand. Even though I do not have (or know if I even have) any parasites.

I just read a book about Reptile Parasites and I was kind of shocked by what was said.

Sometimes you may have them and Sometimes you may not. Captured will always have them but, CBs may not.

The quartine period should be 90 days to see if there are any problems but, that will not always tell you if you have them.

Unless you go to a Vet or do the Vet work yourself, you may not ever know if you have them.

A Lizard have have them but, it may not be a problem. But, overtime the Parasites may gain the upper hand and that is what could have happened to you.

Now, you have to develop a Treatment Plan. You know what you may have as a Parasite and now you can begin to plan how to get rid of it.

Take Care

 

[Sandra]

Just in case you are very very worried, you could get stools from all your other animals, mix them and take it to the vet to make a fecal test (that way you only pay for one test and check all your animals at once).

I don't think you should be bothering about them being captive. As long as you cover all their needs, and I'm sure you do, they will be healthier than any wild animal You should look at wild leopard geckos, most are in horrible shape in comparison to the captive ones!! So don't worry about that.