Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been contemplating getting some bearded dragons for a bit. Yesterday, I was at a pet store and was talking to one of the guys and just happened to mention that. He then informed me that a lady sold him a bearded dragon earlier in the week that was severely underweight and had MBD. He normally didn't pay for sick animals but she was in bad shape and the lady wouldn't surrender her without compensation. He said he would give me the beardie for cheap as long as I gave her a good home. He didn't have enough time to rehabilitate her himself. So that's why situation. I now have a underweight bearded dragon with MBD. Currently, I have her on play sand with two Zilla desert series compact bulbs and a 100 watt ZooMed basking bulb in a porcelain fixture. I've been feeding her mealworms with a few dusted in repcal. Her appetite still seems a little low. I'm looking for any advice.

as one who has rehabbed beardies in similar situations im glad someone is doing something for this poor thing.
did he take it to the vet for the Dx of MBD? or is he just assuming? if the poor thing hasent been to a vet thats step one! i would also take the beardie off the sand, for a healthy adult it may be ok (my adults are still not on sand), but for a sick animal if there is accidental injestion, impaction would be much harder on the sick animal
good luck and keep us posted!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Thank you for the advice. I hadn't rehabilitated any reptiles and didn't have much experience with reptiles, honestly. My specialty was in small mammals. She had been taken to the vet because she had parasites. I had thought they came back because she started throwing up since I posted first. I think the mealworms were just too much for her though because I did some more research and started her on baby food and flukers herpavite. I also thought she was impacted so I put her in a warm bath and massaged her stomach a bit and right after she pooped a ton and she's been good ever since. She even put on quite a bit of weight with what I'm feeding her. She's also darkened up a ton in her pigmentation. She's a lot more active as well and has definitely made a lot of progress since I got her even a week ago. She's getting a lot better at eating. When I first started with the syringe she barely was able to swallow but now she is lapping it up. I'm not sure when I should go to more difficult food though and what it should be. Her hips aren't poking out hardly as much. She's a huge sweetheart too. She
Follows me around everywhere. I never knew reptiles could bond so well with their owners. But yeah, now I need advice on the next step.

if you want to get her back on insects, id do small, fresh shed crix, maybe a few wax worms if shes still underweight, and dont forget the veggies!!
if it really is MBD id still visit a vet they can supply her with stuff the regular person cant!
also, double then tripple check that the husbandry-temps, lighting, ect is 110% (yes i know thats not really possible, but a good way to put it) glad to hear she is doing better!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

I was thinking that the bath might have done most good because of it's rehydrating benefits. Right now, I agree that general husbandry is paramount. Since you are new to reptiles, be sure that you have a good book on bearded dragon husbandry.

Ian