Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was going on vacation and had to send my bearded dragon, because the airlines doesnt allow reptiles as carry-ons. When he arrived, he was in bad condition. He hasn't been eating too much since then. I offer him a salad with veggies and greens and pellets. I also put crickets in his cage and sometimes he eats them, sometimes he just sits there and they crawl over him without him even flinching, so I have to remove the crickets. Then I'll put in waxworms, and still no response, so I have to take them out. It's very frustrating, because I'm leaving to go back home tomorrow, and tried so hard to fatten him up and nurtutre him back to health especially with all the waxworms, before I have to ship him back. I have an appointment with his vet when I return, but I'm afraid he won't make the trip back home. Does anyone have any tips on how to help him? He just lays in his corner, and it's so sad because I love my little dragon, and I'm trying my best, and providing him with everything, and he just lays there. Please help... Thanks.

Do you have him set up with proper temps?? How old is he? How long have you had him on vacation with you? Need a little more info about him. How was he shipped? Did you use heat packs??
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Mystical-Dragons Website

He has perfect temps and a UV light. He was shipped via UPS from the reptile store I bought him from, with a heat pack and all. He is about 7 months old now. He was always a very avid eater, and never turned down any type of bug. He isn't brumating, because he has lost a bit of weight.

I have two ideas. Either he is sick or he's brumating. If you're convinced he's sick than just try and get some fluids into him. Baby food... etc. Was he very active before you left? He might be brumating if it was really dark and cold on the plane so he might be just fine. A vet check will be good to see but i'm not sure what to tell you about flying back. It is very hard to tell. Hopefully you get some good advice. Maybe you can find a heat pack that you can wrap in a towl and put in with him to keep him warm. I've heard that under those planes it's freezing cold and he might just need some sort of heat.

I'm sure the breeders on this forum that ship can offer specific advice as to brands and such, but I can give you some info from my experience.

1. Next time I would leave him home with a reliable pet sitter. I think this would be far less stressful for a "vacation" amount of time.

2. How did you ship him? When I received my baby from PA during the biggest storm of the year, he arrived nice and toasty and very alert and active. He was shipped Express Overnight with the guaranteed noon delivery. He was packed in a large box lined with styrofoam (like a cooler) then he was in a large deli cup with paper towel on the bottom. There was a heat pack in the box with him (this is were we need the breeders help because I do not know the brand or where you get them) but the pack was still warm. I believe I have read they last for 40 hours. Then there was paper packed around him loosely, so air was still available through the holes in the deli cup put firmly enough to keep him in one place in the box. The shipping alone cost me $50, but it was well worth it. Frankly, I would have paid twice that to make sure he was safe.

3. How are your temperatures in his temporary enclosure? I would want him as warm as possibe before you ship him. Also, if at all possible, see a vet before you ship him. If he is not doing well I might be tempted to pack him like I said and carry him on the plane with you. Illegal, I know but it is his life we are talking about.

This is all just my opinion. I hope everything works out ok. Keep us posted.
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Stacey

Well, I couldn't leave him home, because I didn't know exactly how long I was going for, and it was quite possible that this vacation would've turned into my permanent home, so I had no choice but to ship the little guy. He was shipped in a cardboard box,lined with styrofoam, then newspaper, then there was a heat pack on the bottom, and the lizard was in a Rainbow sherbet container. It cost me $70 to ship with the reptile shop, and I agree that the price does not concern me, I only care about his well being. His enclosure is the same size tank he was in at home, same lights, same rocks, etc. As for carrying him on the plane, I would much rather do that so I could make sure he was not being moved around too much, but they have Xray machines that scan all carry-on, and I don't think a lizard skeleton would go through the machine unnoticed.

And if anyone has ever shipped a reptile (breeders) how do you bring them to UPS? Do you have the box already closed and secure with tape and all, or do you package it there, so they see what your shipping?