Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If a bearded dragon developes a case of calcium deficiency, is it possible to bring him out of it and back to normal health if you provide dusted crickets and proper UVB/A lighting? ..Along with proper Basking Temps. and cage set-up?

If its not too far along then maybe you could do that. But in any case, if you suspect any type of disease/disorder in your reptile contact a vet first because chances are if you can see a problem with the lizard, the disease/disorder is too far along for them to recover with just regular care.

Thats the thing that bugs me, he looks GREAT! nice chubby body, all toes, full tail. The reason i suspect calc-defeciency is that hes dissoriented it seems. clumbsy, wobbly and can hardly walk straight. i got him today, but i think im returning him tomorrow and either getting a replacement or going elsewhere for my BD's.

good but make sure to voice your concern that the baby needs to be looked at by a vet...and don't let the breeders convince you that this is normal behavior, because it isn't. just curious, who did you buy from?

I would just go elsewhere for another BD. If this one has calcium problems, it is likely the others will also.

>>Thats the thing that bugs me, he looks GREAT! nice chubby body, all toes, full tail. The reason i suspect calc-defeciency is that hes dissoriented it seems. clumbsy, wobbly and can hardly walk straight. i got him today, but i think im returning him tomorrow and either getting a replacement or going elsewhere for my BD's.
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Lisa
www.beginnersbasics.com

Those were my thoughts exactly, so im returning him today and going to PetCo for a new one, who is bigger. Thanks for the help.

I personally hate petco! most of their reptiles are sickly. they feed the baby bearded dragons primarily mealworms, which can cause impaction in such a small lizard. not to mention they are extremely over priced. the local one here tries to sell normals for $80! try to find a reptile show or breeder and spend you $80 on a red/gold dragon that has been well taken care of.

Well PetCo had many great looking animals, not just BD's. In the past, they sold me 2 great Leopard Geckos, which are still doing fantastic, now over a year later.

--BUT--

Today when i went to take back my unhealthy dragon to the pet store, they said that i could only get an exchange, not a refund. My dad gave them hell because of this, but luckily, i ended up with a really healthy young BD, who has already eaten some Collard Greens and a few dusted crickets.
So, in the end, i didnt go to PetCo, and still got a great Bearded Dragon.

**ALSO - ive been trying to look for breeders or shows close to my area, but so far no luck.
If anyone knows about shows or breeders in the Upstate New York area, please let me know! Thanks!

the numerous petco stores down here have extremely healthy reptiles and even rodents. They have really nice cages. With logs and repti carpets, and they're so healthy. And the rodent have toys and wheels, nicer then any other shop.
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~Julie~