Ziggy Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 (edited) Hi all, Here are the new family members... I can't believe how amazingly cute they are and I love holding them... So introducing Mushu Nivalu and last but not least Twilight Their vivarium was custom made to match the colours of DD2's bedroom... it looks stunning and the dragons seem quite relaxed in there... They are DD2's newest addition, and she has been warned that she couldn't ask for any more pets afterwards, as she's got about 14 now, and that takes her a lot of time in feeding and cleaning, so no more. As a family, we've now reached the modest count of 30 pets... sounds like a lot, but to be honest with four rabbits here, six chickens there and five cats all over the place, numbers climb up easily... I'm really pleased with the dragons... I've always loved lizards, so was quite supportive when DD2 asked for dragons... DH wasn't quite so thrilled at first, but seems to have given up trying to oppose the pet-crazy family... he found them very cute when they got home yesterday though... I find them utterly irresistible, and look forward to digging out my camera gear and take loads of pictures of them once they've settled a bit more... Cheers, Edited September 7, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 They are beautiful, I am so I would LOVE a vivarium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Love them! How old are they? Mom has wanted a B Dragon for ages, I thought about a Leopard gecko but we won't realistically get one 'til after I've finished Uni and we have more time, if we ever do! We built my viv's for Hughie the tortoise which have changed a lot from when we first started. Toyed with the idea of making a bigger tortoise table but it wouldn't fit in the gap he lives in now - atm its sat on the floor in the breakfast room and the doors are taken off so he can come and go as he pleases, works for us, and him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 They're lovely . They have such happy little faces . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 They're two months old... hatched on 21st June... They've been quite straightforward and easy to keep so far... I bought some potted baby leaf mixed salad from the shop to keep in the conservatory, as they eat so little of it so far, a full lettuce from the shop goes off before they can eat it (and I don't like salad leaves, so don't want to eat them)... We are in the process of switching them from live food to canned/freeze dried... it's a gradual thing, but they seem to be taking to the new dried stuff fine, and I will prefer not to feed live prey... there are a few crickets around the house, who have escaped, and we have relatives coming over at the weekend, I hope they're not too squeamish about it all... They're really gorgeous little things, I can't get tired of looking at them... pity they're in DD2's room, I'd quite like them in the main part of the house... ummm if she ever complains of lack of room in her bedroom, I might be tempted to suggest she relocates them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 They are gorgeous I wanted bearded dragons, but OH wont let me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 I have a sad update about Mushu. He was all fine till Saturday afternoon, when he suddenly appeared lethargic. When We picked him up he started rolling over and over, then appeared tilted, and totally unbalanced. I couldn't get in touch with the breeder to ask for advice on sunday, so called exotic vet this morning, and they got me to take him in as he was still utterly lethargic and not eating or drinking. The vet thinks he has some kind of bacterial infection that got into his brain and he most likely won't make it. DD2 refused to have him put to sleep, and she and I, with the vet's blessing, decided to give him some antibiotics, just in case the infection can be cleared. We brought him home and had to force feed him his antibiotics and mushed up food in very tiny amounts. DD2 is prepared for the worse, but keen to try her best. Sweetly, she had a cuddle with him tonight, and when she put him down he looked at her and tilted his head left and right and forward, totally aware of her and focused on her, despite having been lethargic all day. He then nearly managed to open his mouth when we offered him a treat. We'll give him more medicine and food first thing tomorrow morning, if he is still with us... DD2 is very sad, and very willing to take care of him through it all. When I was gently prying his lips open to feed him, she asked if she could do it instead, and with a bit of help she did brilliantly. I wouldn't have done better. On a positive note, the vet people were stunning. The nurse in call at the clinic is not experienced with reptiles, and called another clinic and managed to get a vet who wasn't even on call to ring me and arrange to see us. He was lovely, took plenty of time to help us without rushing us although this was a day off for him. When we left he asked us to keep him updated about Mushu's situation, telling us to ask for him by his first name. I am very grateful to them all for their help and wonderful caring attitude. Come on little Mushu... Let the antibiotics make you better.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Poor little Mushu . I really hope he pulls through . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 What a shame Hope he is a bit improved for you tomorrow. Always nice when you get a nice vet too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Oh no how sad. They are adorable. Hope things are looking better this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 fingers crossed for you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 oh I hope he makes it, everything crossed here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Any news? How is Mushu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hope Mushu is ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Hi everyone, and thank you for all your kind replies... Mushu is still alive... DD2 and I have, over the last three days, become experts at getting his medicine inside him, and are getting a little bit of food in too... he is no longer rolling over or thrashing around, but he isn't exactly alright either. He is still very, very still, but has his eyes open a lot and seems able to support his head most of the time, rather than being collapsed. His digestive system works fine (much to DD4's distress when he demonstrated his ability to evacuate, right on her hands ), and he looks more comfortable and less distressed. The question now is, will the antibiotics clear the problem over time, or is the infection really in his brain and bones, in which case he might still not make it... we're still expecting the worse, but doing our best to prevent it... The bad part now is, we're going away tomorrow till Monday, and it's uncomfortable having to leave him. We have someone coming in to stay in the house, to look after the whole menagerie (we have 30 pets), so he won't be alone, but getting food and medicine inside him is really a two people job (one person needs to hold the upper part of his head gently, while another pulls down his lower lip, and inserts the syringe of food/medicine in his mouth). DD2 and I will feed him and give him the antiobiotics tomorrow before we leave, and again on Monday when we get back, but on Saturday and Sunday things will be more difficult. The housesitter will give him a bath each day, as we have been doing, to keep him rehydrated. I will ask her to try to get the medicine in, but if he won't open his mouth she might be able to rub it on his lips (it's a tiny amount, 0.02ml) and he might lick it. Thankfully he only gets the medicine once a day. He is obviously small and fragile (he's only 6 g), so I'd rather he missed a dose, than get hurt by being over-handled. I think I'm getting very fit climbing up the stairs every 20 minutes or so to check on him for the last 5 days... Thanks all, I'll update when we return from Scotland, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Little Mushu died on Saturday... he appeared lighter and weaker on Friday, so it wasn't a surprise, but still DD2 was terribly upset. After nursing him for a week, she had hoped he'd get better. We were away in Scotland to celebrate DD1's birthday and DH and my anniversary, and we had a housesitter here, who contacted me in Scotland to say he had died. Thankfully as he wasn't well on friday, DD2 had given him a special goodbye, 'just in case', before leaving... She is now moving on and getting to enjoy Nivalu and Twilight. RIP little Mushu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Oh poor little thing, so sorry he didn't make it. Your daughter should take comfort though in knowing that she did everything possible to help him. Bless her she seems to have been so brave and responsible through the last few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Oh, poor wee chap . How sad . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'm sorry He really was tiny if only 6g and you both did your best - DD should be proud of herself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 very sad to see the update x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Aw have only just seen this. How sad about Mushu How old is your DD? She sounds remarkably sensible and grown up bless her. She should be very proud of herself the way she looked after little Mushu. Now i hope she can enjoy Nivalu and Twilight. They are incredibly beautiful......something i never thought id hear myself say about lizards Off to google dragons and vivariums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Oh I'm sorry, that's sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
