Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This time I had a friend Petsit, and I cam home to 3 near dead Dragons
Erowen was flacid, and weak, There was food in the tank, but it was only Meal Beetles, and a couple worms, and the water dish was not only without the running water, the pump had been turned off, but there was only about 1/3" of sticky stagnant water in it
I imediatly filled the watering can and doused the entire tank with a heavy summer shower, and put SOME water in the water dish (paint tray) and turned the pump back on. Then wehen I poured MORe water in one of the babies JUMPED in (from a distance of about 2'), and just floated in the water for a few seconds before squirming to the edge and just standing in the water as the water cascaded down over his tiny little body.

The other one did the same (from a closer distance, but he had been more RAINED on than the first) jumping in thing. Both of them were drinking off leaves and branches for the rest of the day (I kept the leaves and branches covered in water dropletts all afternoon) so I was not TOO worried about them
Erowen on the other hand was limp, and I was scared she was going to Die
I gave her 3cc of Pedialyte, and left her to glare at a Nightcrawler for a while, she did not eat
after an hour or so she started to get a bit green (a color I rarely ever see on her anymore) and I picked her up, and forced her to eat part of the nightcrawler, then she snapped it up the body to my fingers (like in lady and the tramp) and just opened her mouth as if expecting more, I gave her a bit more Pedialyte, and put the head of the pinky mouse I had gotten for her in her mouth. She started walking around with the rest of it hanging out of her mouth, then after about 5 or 7 min, she did the aligator thing and bolted it down her throat
her mouth was a bit stringy with Mucus when I gave her her first Pedialyte, but she has none now, so I think it was just dehydration, she is MUCH more active now, and ate 3 nightcrawlers this morning for me (BIG Fat Flattails)

I am never gonna find a decent Petsitter, this one was my friend who wants to keep a MHD herself one day, wants one of Erowens babies. I am not sure that is gonna happen after this past experience
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

Don't sell one to her until she can prove herself to be a better keeper. I work in a pet store, and I wish I could have the advantage of having customers demostrate proper care. You said you got a pinky mouse for her-did she like it?

she will pounce on them like a cat
other times she will ignore them for days
but they do pick up her apetite if she is off her feed
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

You know Elizabeth, I don't think I have ever heard a positive pet-sitting story where reptiles are involved. I have a few horror stories about marine reef-sitters as well.

I suppose folks just don't have much to say when things actually go the way they are supposed to. When my wife and I went on our honeymoon in '99 to Belize (I definately married the right woman). We left our 2 year old Green Water Dragon at our local petshop. They loved him, and he did great. Thankfully, they were very herp savvy. If we had to rely on family or friends to care for our animal, I think the story would have had a different ending.

Hopefully you can educate your friend - or overwhelm her with care information to the point where the "cute little lizard" doesn't sound like such a neat idea any more. Is Erowen working on another clutch or did I miss it?

Don M.

she had another clutch, but I never found an egg from it
she is/was thinner for a while, but is puffy again (full of worms and mice)
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*