New Beardie Mom

[MelanieT]

Hi Everyone! My name is Melanie and I have 3 beardies. Our baby, Tosh is a 3 month old female and full of personality. We recently adopted two 3 year old dragons, Jabba and Penny Lane, who were not given proper care by their previous owners. Penny has some trouble with her limbs but can still get around quite well. The vet performed X-rays and ran blood tests. Her calcium is normal but had an elevated white cell count. She was on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. Neither adult dragon is eating well on their own so we've been syringe feeding them the critical care fine grind. They have eaten mealworms, crickets, greens and beets however nothing consistently. They both look alert and are responsive. Penny has stopped bearding when we handle her and is quite sweet. Their vivariums have the proper temperatures, set up and bulbs. Any suggestions on getting them to eat on their own and really thrive would be appreciated.

 

[Canicke]

Their condition didn't happen overnight and it's not going to go away overnight. It sounds like they found a good home. Just do one step at a time. Get them healthy. if you have to hand feed - so be it. get some energy they might feel a little bit more like eating on their own. One day at a time

 

[Canicke]

PS – we love pictures and welcome to the forum

 

[MelanieT]

Thank you, Canicke!
Here is Jabba..,

and Penny

and Tosh

 

[Canicke]

A handsome group!

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Were they homed together before you got them? Welcome to the forum

 

[MelanieT]

Thanks! They were in a 100 gallon tank but separated by plywood. Penny gets very aggressive around Jabba so we don't take them out together.

 

[rob.kolm]

Hehehe he looks like a Jaba in that pic. Great looking

 

[PatsyB]

@rob.kolm I was thinking the SAME thing!

Good looking group!

 

[beardieX0]

Definitely a handsome group. ^^ Tosh looks just like my Leo

 

[MelanieT]

The vet weighed him today and he is 690 grams.

 

[PatsyB]

The vet weighed him today and he is 690 grams.

Oh my, that's a real big boy!

 

[MelanieT]

PatsyB, I'm really afraid that it's fluid. Keeping my fingers crossed that his test results come back normal. Penny is doing much better and is such a sweet girl. I've become so attached to them in the last month.

 

[beardieX0]

PatsyB, I'm really afraid that it's fluid. Keeping my fingers crossed that his test results come back normal. Penny is doing much better and is such a sweet girl. I've become so attached to them in the last month.

Isn't it crazy how easy it is to get attached!! Let us know how the test results come back!

 

[PatsyB]

Keep us updated. We do get attached to them real quick.

 

[MelanieT]

Jabba just ate 10 Dubias! Could not be more excited! Penny ate one Dubia and loved her squash baby food. Hope to have Jabba's test results tomorrow.

 

[PatsyB]

Jabba just ate 10 Dubias! Could not be more excited! Penny ate one Dubia and loved her squash baby food. Hope to have Jabba's test results tomorrow.

Let us know what the vet says.

 

[MelanieT]

Not great news today. Jabba has elevated levels of uric acid and extremely high calcium. His blood work also shows signs of either infection or inflammation and he had a positive pinworm test. Not sure what my sweet boy went through before he came to us. The uric acid can produce symptoms like gout would in humans and the calcium can make him feel bad too. The diagnosis is likely renal disease.
We'll be making his 4th trip to the vet in 4 weeks on Friday to get fluids, X-rays and deworming. He needs to eat greens however I'm only having luck with insects. Very sad for my chubby boy.
Please send him some positive vibes.

 

[PatsyB]

Awe, so sorry. Positive thoughts coming his way.

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Use hornworms, salad sticks to them