nicman72
Well-Known Member
At about 9:30 on Wednesday night, our darling Foxy's tiny little heart finally stopped beating, and left our's broken... :cry:
She had been our little problem child right from the beginning; she always had a very lacklustre appetite, including periods during which she would refuse ALL food. The last 4 months have been an absolute roller-coaster; unfortunately, even with all the helpful advice received from here, and all the loving attention we could shower upon her, the ride is finally over.
Although we managed to keep her alive this long, which was MUCH longer than both the vet and breeder expected, it's left my partner and I feeling utterly miserable. She's the first animal we've lost, and her now dark, cold tank is a very poignant reminder that she's actually gone from the family forever
When I left for my 15 day stint of work on the 7th of this month, I gave Foxy what turned out to be my last cuddle. She held on right up until less than 12 hours before I flew home; so, so close... Instead of the usually joyful re-union with my partner when I get home, this time was a very sombre and teary occasion.
For those that are interested, she weighed 13 grams when I left; she'd been hovering around this weight for a few weeks prior, and eating fairly consistently. After I left, she went off her food completely, and then wasted away until she was just a little skeleton with a bit of loose skin wrapped around her tiny bones. My missus was in tears nearly every time I spoke to her on the phone, utterly exasperated that Foxy wouldn't eat anything, even 'forced' through a syringe. Very upsetting stuff for both Foxy and my partner (and myself!).
When I weighed her little corpse as soon as I got home, she'd dropped to 9 grams. Poor little girl was just tiny, with bones sticking our everywhere... Such a contrast to her sister, Ruby, who at the same age (4 months 3 weeks) has just cracked the 200 gram mark, putting on 56 grams in the same interval that Foxy lost 4. In a way, it feels like Ruby has 'absorbed' Foxy's spirit, giving her the appetite (and bulk!) of two lizards. The thought that Foxy lives on in her sister makes us feel a bit better as well...
Ah well, life goes on. I was collecting some data during Foxy's final months (weights, insects per day); if anyone is interested in having a look to maybe offer some advice on where we could've gone wrong, please PM me. Not wanting to sound conceited, but I honestly don't think it was our husbandry skills or environment, and this opinion is supported by the vet, breeder, and the fact that Ruby is doing so well. Still, if we can find out what went wrong, we'd love to avoid this happening again in the future if possible.
To all those who have lost a pet, my heart honestly and truly goes out to you. Grief of any kind is a miserable island to be cast upon. Thank-you sincerely to everyone who gave their advice, support, and best wishes over the last few months.
Finally, a few pics in memory of our little girl, Foxy the Brave, RIP......
The night we picked them up (Foxy above, Ruby below).
Playing the piano.
Looking her best.
How thin she was when she died.
Compared to her clutch-sister, Ruby.
Cheers,
Nic
She had been our little problem child right from the beginning; she always had a very lacklustre appetite, including periods during which she would refuse ALL food. The last 4 months have been an absolute roller-coaster; unfortunately, even with all the helpful advice received from here, and all the loving attention we could shower upon her, the ride is finally over.
Although we managed to keep her alive this long, which was MUCH longer than both the vet and breeder expected, it's left my partner and I feeling utterly miserable. She's the first animal we've lost, and her now dark, cold tank is a very poignant reminder that she's actually gone from the family forever
When I left for my 15 day stint of work on the 7th of this month, I gave Foxy what turned out to be my last cuddle. She held on right up until less than 12 hours before I flew home; so, so close... Instead of the usually joyful re-union with my partner when I get home, this time was a very sombre and teary occasion.
For those that are interested, she weighed 13 grams when I left; she'd been hovering around this weight for a few weeks prior, and eating fairly consistently. After I left, she went off her food completely, and then wasted away until she was just a little skeleton with a bit of loose skin wrapped around her tiny bones. My missus was in tears nearly every time I spoke to her on the phone, utterly exasperated that Foxy wouldn't eat anything, even 'forced' through a syringe. Very upsetting stuff for both Foxy and my partner (and myself!).
When I weighed her little corpse as soon as I got home, she'd dropped to 9 grams. Poor little girl was just tiny, with bones sticking our everywhere...
Such a contrast to her sister, Ruby, who at the same age (4 months 3 weeks) has just cracked the 200 gram mark, putting on 56 grams in the same interval that Foxy lost 4. In a way, it feels like Ruby has 'absorbed' Foxy's spirit, giving her the appetite (and bulk!) of two lizards. The thought that Foxy lives on in her sister makes us feel a bit better as well...Ah well, life goes on. I was collecting some data during Foxy's final months (weights, insects per day); if anyone is interested in having a look to maybe offer some advice on where we could've gone wrong, please PM me. Not wanting to sound conceited, but I honestly don't think it was our husbandry skills or environment, and this opinion is supported by the vet, breeder, and the fact that Ruby is doing so well. Still, if we can find out what went wrong, we'd love to avoid this happening again in the future if possible.
To all those who have lost a pet, my heart honestly and truly goes out to you. Grief of any kind is a miserable island to be cast upon. Thank-you sincerely to everyone who gave their advice, support, and best wishes over the last few months.
Finally, a few pics in memory of our little girl, Foxy the Brave, RIP......
The night we picked them up (Foxy above, Ruby below).
Playing the piano.
Looking her best.
How thin she was when she died.
Compared to her clutch-sister, Ruby.
Cheers,
Nic
