Possible broken back

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dscot60

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Hi guys

my girlfriends dog grabbed a wild water dragon and shook him viciously before we could get to him to get him out of the yard and now he can't move his hind legs and has no control of its cloaca it seems to be prolapsed I'm furious at the dogs but I need to know what to do with the water dragon should he be put down or what I hate to be the dealer of death but I hate seeing reptiles in misery at the same time
 
Going from your description it's best to put the poor thing down. It's obviously got serious spinal trauma going by the paralysis of the hind legs and loss of control of the cloaca, and the prolapse is the result of it being swung by the dog with force.

I'd have it put to sleep quickly. You can place the dragon in a small sealed container and pump helium gas into the container, which should kill it fairly quickly, or you could take it to the vets.
 
If spinal injury is its only problem ie no puncture wounds etc then there is a chance that it can heal itself. More than once I have heard of spinal injuries healing with time.if it has a broken spine then it shouldn't be in a lot of pain so maybe give it a couple of days to see how it goes.
 
Contact WIRES Rescue Call Centre: 13 000 WIRES or 13 00 094 737.
They have people who specialise in the care and rehabilitation of injured native wildlife, including reptiles. They will also have an experienced reptile vet assess the animal’s injuries if considered necessary. Better someone highly experienced makes a hands-on call then less experienced individuals, as well motivated as they may be, make a sight-unseen diagnosis and prognosis.

Blue
 
it doesnt sound good.... honestly Brick it!!! grab a brick and destroy the brain. Its a better option for it because you can do i right now and a better option for you as there is no need to take a ride down to the vet.
 
Hmmm, probably best not to give out such great advice as kill a native reptile. There's plenty of carers to deal with injuries and if someone who knows what they're doing makes the call it can be euthanized. As apposed to people who haven't even seen the animal recommending to "brick it"
 
it doesnt sound good.... honestly Brick it!!! grab a brick and destroy the brain. Its a better option for it because you can do i right now and a better option for you as there is no need to take a ride down to the vet.
did you not read the post above yours? blues post is the way to go
 
Don't kill the animal yourself please take it to a carer or get a carer to come to you... The Native Animal Trust Fund is in the newcastle and surrounding area's the rescue number is 0418 628 483. They will be able to help you. I deal with the parrots from them and can honestly say i've had some good and bad experiences.. If you don't have any luck getting into someone please pm me and i will find a contact number for the reptile carers.. Good luck and i hope the lizard makes it.
 
it doesnt sound good.... honestly Brick it!!! grab a brick and destroy the brain. Its a better option for it because you can do i right now and a better option for you as there is no need to take a ride down to the vet.
sounds like you need a brick mate,how can you call yourself a reptile lover with an attitude like that?
 
it doesnt sound good.... honestly Brick it!!! grab a brick and destroy the brain. Its a better option for it because you can do i right now and a better option for you as there is no need to take a ride down to the vet.

I'm glad you arent a doctor! :shock:

Take it to a vet (they treat native animals at gubberment expense) or wires.... If it seems happy and is eating, no sense smashing it to death without a professional prognosis first :rolleyes:

If it had half its guts hanging out, different story..... not to mention, the fridge til unconcious, then the freezer sounds much more humane method of distruction to me?

As for the dog :rolleyes: maybe a brick? ;)
 
I don't get it???/ why let the animal suffer??? put it out of its misery!!!!!! destroying the brain is the most humane euthanasia....
Maybe it was your choice of words? And no, destroying the brain is not the most humane way, do it wrong and you can only cause more suffering
 
Yes! how stupid of me!!! to end an animals suffering..... perhaps i should have worded things differently. And DRAGONLOVER1... be careful, some people may take that as a threat....

- - - Updated - - -

NOO!!! FREEZER IS A BAD IDEA!!! recent research has shown that a reptile is still concious to the sharp ice crystals developing inside the body.... pheww.
 
Patient: Doctor..... my child has a headache..... what should I do?

Doctor: Smash its head in with a brick! cant have your poor child suffering. Here, I'll write you a prescription..... 'take one brick, two times a day'....... That will be $75 thanks.... pay on the way out.... you should get 85% back at medicare (so you will get $15 back) ;)
 
Yes, I'd be wary of the fridge/freezer idea. With the caveat that I haven't read the research, I have heard that this supposedly humane way to euthanase cane toads actually causes the toads pain. I will chase that up one of these days because I would like to start toad busting in my neighbourhood.

Blue's suggestion was definitely the way to go - what happened, OP?
 
If it doesn't regain it's ability to defecate and would therefore likely end up suffering enormously then the best option is euthanasia. I think WIRES is a good option and they will take care of the anaesthetics/barbiturates/whatever else is required for humane death.

A lot of animals with an injury to the spine never recover, in fact most do not. Cases of recovery are quite rare, and if it's ability to void waste has been compromised as it appears to in this case then the best option is humane death. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
 
If it doesn't regain it's ability to defecate and would therefore likely end up suffering enormously then the best option is euthanasia. I think WIRES is a good option and they will take care of the anaesthetics/barbiturates/whatever else is required for humane death.

A lot of animals with an injury to the spine never recover, in fact most do not. Cases of recovery are quite rare, and if it's ability to void waste has been compromised as it appears to in this case then the best option is humane death. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.


perhaps this is how i should have worded things... :)
 
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