Sad Dragon Mommy

[Missbipbip]

I purchased a Beardie for my son about a month before Christmas. He wanted a dragon; I really did not. However, as I'm sure has happened to other parents on this forum, I was the one caring for "Mr. Cuddles" (a name I also wasn't fond of), and I fell in love with him. I don't even know if he was a Mr. or a Ms., but he was my little project. About two months ago he stopped eating. He seemed healthy otherwise. I have read and read sites online. His cage was set up with all the proper temperatures and humidity. Proper UVB levels... All of that. I read a lot about brumation and decided that had to be what was going on. I tried to get him to eat; he just wouldn't. Long story short, he died a few days ago. I am completely heartbroken. I have read more now than ever and I think some of the nutritional information I had gotten before was incorrect. I think now that he ,any have had some type of renal failure from too much spinach or other greens that were not the right kind. I am beating myself up over it, but I think I want to try again, and I want to be able to talk to people who Have experience with them. I had really grown to love him, and I just can't get over that I may have hurt him in some way. Anyway, if I decide to do another Beardie, and I probably will because I can't quit looking at them online, is it better to buy from a breeder or a pet store? I tend to like the ones in pet stores fine... I don't care about having fancy colors. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance

 

[PatsyB]

So sorry for your loss They do work their way into our hearts real fast. I know people say that breeders are the way to go but I bought both of mine from a pet store and I know other people that have and they have been just fine. Unless you really do your research on breeders you can't really know that they take good care of their babies either, or are responsible breeders. I've just heard a story about a supposedly responsible breeder that knowing breeds his dragons with a disease that they can pass down to their offspring. So you never know for sure what you are getting anywhere.

What you want to look for is an active dragon. No crusty odd looking spots on it its back or vent or feet. Look for clear bright eyes. Look to make sure there are no wounds that haven't healed. Look at the tank itself and make sure that it's kept clean and that they are on appropriate substrate and being fed the appropriate sized foods.

At the bottom of my message there is a link to some helpful general information on care and there are some links to good food charts. Don't be afraid to ask questions, that's what we are all here for.

 

[Missbipbip]

So sorry for your loss They do work their way into our hearts real fast. I know people say that breeders are the way to go but I bought both of mine from a pet store and I know other people that have and they have been just fine. Unless you really do your research on breeders you can't really know that they take good care of their babies either, or are responsible breeders. I've just heard a story about a supposedly responsible breeder that knowing breeds his dragons with a disease that they can pass down to their offspring. So you never know for sure what you are getting anywhere.

What you want to look for is an active dragon. No crusty odd looking spots on it its back or vent or feet. Look for clear bright eyes. Look to make sure there are no wounds that haven't healed. Look at the tank itself and make sure that it's kept clean and that they are on appropriate substrate and being fed the appropriate sized foods.

At the bottom of my message there is a link to some helpful general information on care and there are some links to good food charts. Don't be afraid to ask questions, that's what we are all here for.

Patsy, thank you so much for your response. I will try a pet store again. I really like my local store and I don't think it had anything to do with his care before I purchased him. I think I somehow did it, which makes it all so much worse. I am glad I found the forum, and I am not giving up on my Beardie love.


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[Canicke]

hey - it's so hard when they pass. we all make mistakes - don't beat yourself up about it too hard. learn. it may not even have been your fault - it may have happened no matter what. the links Patsy referenced have some awesome info we're here

 

[Hdrydr31]

Very sorry to hear this and I'm with the others don't beat yourself up you thought you were doing right by him/her.... Glad to see that you have come here to learn as we have a ton of knowledge here
They soo easily get into our hearts for sure and I'm glad to hear that your interested again. I got both of mine from Petco and both have been healthy from the get go. Like Patsy said what to look for they should be nice and alert watch them for awhile see how they interact with you even thru the glass. where is the dragon up top soaking up the heat or is it down on the ground not looking alert? Is it shedding? does it have all it's toes/tail? see if you can see them eat? How is it breathing?
Check out the links under our comments as we have put together a ton of info to help others and a refresher for ourselves.. Make sure you clean everything out really well before bringing a new one back
And for sure we are all here for ya!!

 

[Missbipbip]

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice. I went to PetSmart tonight and looked at the dragons. I almost bought one, but none of them looked like Cuddles. He was unusual for a pet store dragon. I ended up missing Cuddles, cried a bit , and left. I am going to try again tomorrow. I will get another one. I know I will. And I am reading, reading all of Patsy's resources. Thanks all.


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[Hdrydr31]

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice. I went to PetSmart tonight and looked at the dragons. I almost bought one, but none of them looked like Cuddles. He was unusual for a pet store dragon. I ended up missing Cuddles, cried a bit , and left. I am going to try again tomorrow. I will get another one. I know I will. And I am reading, reading all of Patsy's resources. Thanks all.


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I can understand that.. it sucks when you loose them.. you will know the right one when you see him/her. I'm glad that our links have been helpful as that's why we put them together nice to know

 

[Draeju's_world]

I bought my mine from here: http://beardeddragoncentral.com
Decent prices and free shipping.

 

[laswabbie]

I'm sorry for your tragedy, but it obviously wasn't due to neglect or inattention. Try again and this time you know where to come for accurate information. For example, I was going to feed Falkor spinach myself until I learned that it ties up calcium.

In my limited experience, the chain pet stores carry only "standard" beardies. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but if you want something more exotic you'll have to go elsewhere. Is there a Repticon scheduled anywhere near you? If so, you can see many varieties in one place at one time. If you can't fall in love at a Repticon you can't fall in love.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I'm sorry for your tragedy, but it obviously wasn't due to neglect or inattention. Try again and this time you know where to come for accurate information. For example, I was going to feed Falkor spinach myself until I learned that it ties up calcium.

In my limited experience, the chain pet stores carry only "standard" beardies. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but if you want something more exotic you'll have to go elsewhere. Is there a Repticon scheduled anywhere near you? If so, you can see many varieties in one place at one time. If you can't fall in love at a Repticon you can't fall in love.

Sometimes the petstores will have leatherbacks as well as the normals, last several times I was at Petco they had several.. tempting for sure but 2 is plenty for me.

 

[Missbipbip]

I bought my mine from here: http://beardeddragoncentral.com
Decent prices and free shipping.

Thank you. I checked it out. Found one that looked just like Cuddles

 

[Missbipbip]

I'm sorry for your tragedy, but it obviously wasn't due to neglect or inattention. Try again and this time you know where to come for accurate information. For example, I was going to feed Falkor spinach myself until I learned that it ties up calcium.

In my limited experience, the chain pet stores carry only "standard" beardies. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but if you want something more exotic you'll have to go elsewhere. Is there a Repticon scheduled anywhere near you? If so, you can see many varieties in one place at one time. If you can't fall in love at a Repticon you can't fall in love.

I'll have to check on a Repticon. I would love to go!!