A bearded dragon in distress

[JbeardieJ]

Hi everyone,

We own 2 snakes, spiders and a praying mantis. I wanted to ask if I could speak to one of the members who could give me some advice about a bearded dragon that has been offered to us. I wanted to speak to an admin first before posting to check for sensitivities and ask advice before posting on the forum.

 

[Sadie]

Hi everyone,

We own 2 snakes, spiders and a praying mantis. I wanted to ask if I could speak to one of the members who could give me some advice about a bearded dragon that has been offered to us. I wanted to speak to an admin first before posting to check for sensitivities and ask advice before posting on the forum.

This site is for bearded dragons please ask away-

 

[JbeardieJ]

This site is for bearded dragons please ask away-

Ok...I just didn't want to upset anyone. We have been offered a bearded dragon from a work colleague. She has given her son until after the weekend to decide if he still wants it. That in itself is upsetting but I'm keeping the drama out of all this and focusing on what we have in front of us. A photo of the bearded dragon was sent. I wanted a full picture so we could see the size of the tank, what lighting they had in it etc but we got one pic and it's just of the lifted tunnel and bearded dragon. After spending time over the last 48 hours we have realised very quickly that this isn't going to be like caring for our snakes. We are now very aware of the disease and potential for disaster if husbandry is not on point.

The photo I feel shows an unhappy bearded dragon but I may be wrong. I'm not going to share the photo. It was waking up when the photo was taken so it could be just that. The other cause for alarm is that they have had this beardie for a year with no UVB. My hubby has been in Comms and it was mentioned that the animals isn't on UVB which means they know it should be on it. Again, I am not going to allow this to get me hysterical and angry. One may ask why we don't just ask for more pictures and videos...we have researched and got a shock and now are figuring things out and deciding how to proceed before thinking about waiting for her to let us know.

Calcium powder has been fed but that would be useless without the aid of the UVB.

Has anyone rescued a beardie knowing full well that they will be needing to help an animal out of calcium deficiency as well as the possibility that parasites are a thing?

I just wanted to ask that the answers are focused on how one would need to proceed and not what is going on with the husbandry currently. We are nowhere near the animal and need to have realistic conversations on what we are taking on board.

We don't want to go in with our eyes shut. Is it common for owners to have to coax rescues out of this kind of situation?

We also aren't going to rush in and save this animal or make more contact until we are 100 sure we are prepared to take this on. Our animals are cared for with everything they need. We do things meticulously and properly.

Rushing in and saving animals left right and centre is very well...we just want to be sure that we are prepared for what to expect if this animal is very sick.

 

[Sadie]

Ok...I just didn't want to upset anyone. We have been offered a bearded dragon from a work colleague. She has given her son until after the weekend to decide if he still wants it. That in itself is upsetting but I'm keeping the drama out of all this and focusing on what we have in front of us. A photo of the bearded dragon was sent. I wanted a full picture so we could see the size of the tank, what lighting they had in it etc but we got one pic and it's just of the lifted tunnel and bearded dragon. After spending time over the last 48 hours we have realised very quickly that this isn't going to be like caring for our snakes. We are now very aware of the disease and potential for disaster if husbandry is not on point.

The photo I feel shows an unhappy bearded dragon but I may be wrong. I'm not going to share the photo. It was waking up when the photo was taken so it could be just that. The other cause for alarm is that they have had this beardie for a year with no UVB. My hubby has been in Comms and it was mentioned that the animals isn't on UVB which means they know it should be on it. Again, I am not going to allow this to get me hysterical and angry. One may ask why we don't just ask for more pictures and videos...we have researched and got a shock and now are figuring things out and deciding how to proceed before thinking about waiting for her to let us know.

Calcium powder has been fed but that would be useless without the aid of the UVB.

Has anyone rescued a beardie knowing full well that they will be needing to help an animal out of calcium deficiency as well as the possibility that parasites are a thing?

I just wanted to ask that the answers are focused on how one would need to proceed and not what is going on with the husbandry currently. We are nowhere near the animal and need to have realistic conversations on what we are taking on board.

We don't want to go in with our eyes shut. Is it common for owners to have to coax rescues out of this kind of situation?

We also aren't going to rush in and save this animal or make more contact until we are 100 sure we are prepared to take this on. Our animals are cared for with everything they need. We do things meticulously and properly.

Rushing in and saving animals left right and centre is very well...we just want to be sure that we are prepared for what to expect if this animal is very sick.

The dragon has health issues I can tell you this already w/ NO UVB being provided - if this continues the dragon will die and not a good death - so pulling the animal out of this situation is up to you or give advice to these people that the animal is dying and needs correct UVB and good surface basking temps- my guess he has developed MBD and it will continue to get worse if intervention is not done - a long tube fixture for UVB is recommended and a good one not all UVB's are of good quality - a pic of the dragon would be nice to see exactly what kind of shape he is in -- no judgement here just focusing on the dragon and how to help him

 

[JbeardieJ]

I totally agree with what you are saying hence wanting to speak to admin first before posting this post.

The UVB is crucial and again I am not going to get into the anger of the owners mentioning they don't have it when they must know they need it.

We don't own a bearded dragon so I wanted to ask about MBD. Could we rectify it so that the beardie could lead an active life? That's pretty much like asking how long a piece of string is?

Is it possible to send the pic to you on private message? I just don't want the picture to be placed publicly in case these owners see it.

Is it ok to send it to privately?

 

[Sadie]

I totally agree with what you are saying hence wanting to speak to admin first before posting this post.

The UVB is crucial and again I am not going to get into the anger of the owners mentioning they don't have it when they must know they need it.

We don't own a bearded dragon so I wanted to ask about MBD. Could we rectify it so that the beardie could lead an active life? That's pretty much like asking how long a piece of string is?

Is it possible to send the pic to you on private message? I just don't want the picture to be placed publicly in case these owners see it.

Is it ok to send it to privately?

Yes at the top look for a envelope on the right side

 

[JbeardieJ]

I sent you a private message

 

[Sadie]

I sent you a private message

Ok the dragon looks ill- you will never be able to reverse the damage that's happened but you can stop it from getting worse- he looks thin I am surprised the dragon is eating at all - uvb enables the dragon to absorb / synthesize the calcium he's getting- if you need more help or decide to get the dragon let me know and I will help you get him set up correctly and get him on track for better health- at this rate he going now he will die

 

[JbeardieJ]

Thank you @Sadie...thank you Sadie. My hubby and I just spoke. We are treading very carefully here as we both work at the same place and we work alongside her. She has told my hubby that she would let us know by the weekend. If she says yes we will go and fetch it. We are based in the UK. What do people suggest for UVB? Please could you kindly explain this for us. Our snakes have T5 UVB 7% shade dweller which wouldn't work for the beardie. We have UVB holders that aren't very long. Roughly 30 cm. We have 2 reptile shops near us so our focus would be the UVB. We can then go from there if she hands the animal over to us. It's awaiting game now.

 

[Sadie]

Thank you @Sadie...thank you Sadie. My hubby and I just spoke. We are treading very carefully here as we both work at the same place and we work alongside her. She has told my hubby that she would let us know by the weekend. If she says yes we will go and fetch it. We are based in the UK. What do people suggest for UVB? Please could you kindly explain this for us. Our snakes have T5 UVB 7% shade dweller which wouldn't work for the beardie. We have UVB holders that aren't very long. Roughly 30 cm. We have 2 reptile shops near us so our focus would be the UVB. We can then go from there if she hands the animal over to us. It's awaiting game now.

You want a arcadia pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb - 24" for a 40 gallon tank up to 120 gallon - there are other uvb's but it sounds like you have access to the Arcadias- you want two digital probe thermometers for surface basking temps 95-100- there is a vet tech on the board that can help w/ all the medical issues -

 

[JbeardieJ]

You want a arcadia pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb - 24" for a 40 gallon tank up to 120 gallon - there are other uvb's but it sounds like you have access to the Arcadias- you want two digital probe thermometers for surface basking temps 95-100- there is a vet tech on the board that can help w/ all the medical issues -

Thanks Sadie ..will make some calls tomorrow so I know where to get one. We have 3 other uvbs but as mentioned they won't be helpful. We are upgrading our vivs to 5 foot over the summer so if we get the beardie we will do the same for it. No idea how big the viv is currently.

Questions in case...

Should we remove substrate and use kitchen towels so we can keep the viv sterile?

Anyone have experience in feeding when getting an animal out of distress?

Bathing...for hydration should we give it a bath? May be too stressful?

Allow for UVB and cleaned viv with proper hide and some greens available and try hand feed a dubia roach?

Guess one couldn't comment until getting the beardie

 

[Sadie]

Thanks Sadie ..will make some calls tomorrow so I know where to get one. We have 3 other uvbs but as mentioned they won't be helpful. We are upgrading our vivs to 5 foot over the summer so if we get the beardie we will do the same for it. No idea how big the viv is currently.

Questions in case...

Should we remove substrate and use kitchen towels so we can keep the viv sterile? You can use paper towels or get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner cut to the size of the tank - clean w/ vinegar / water 50/50

Anyone have experience in feeding when getting an animal out of distress? Offer fresh salads every day and insects 2-3 times per week dusted w/ calcium D3 for now - I would need Tracie to advise on this as well - http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale info its outdated and a good staple feeder

Bathing...for hydration should we give it a bath? May be too stressful? No bathing for now the dragon is going to go thru relocation stress and I would rinse the salads before serving and offer water on the nose once a week see if he will lick -- the appetite will be off after moving that is normal

Allow for UVB and cleaned viv with proper hide and some greens available and try hand feed a dubia roach? Dubias are a great staple feeder dust them not the salads

Guess one couldn't comment until getting the beardie