Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I work in a pet store. A child brought back a water dragon which was purchased there about 6 months ago (before I started, so heaven knows the origin of the animal) saying he had 'lost interest' in it. This 18 inch long animal was in a 10 gallon aquarium. She was so filthy that you couldn't tell she was green. Her tail has a few major kinks around the base, and her ribs don't quite seem in line. Her head also looks a bit too large for her body. Otherwise her limb and jaw bones appear normal. She is missing 2 scales at the front of her upper lip but doesn't seem to have any mouth rot at this time. She seems pretty lethargic to me but I don't have much WD experience. The biggest cage we had available for her was a 20 gallon because we generally don't carry large reptiles. However, she seems content at this time and is basking and soaking. The only food she'll eat well is superworms. When we got her in she gained a few grams and then lost about 20. However, I think this is because I didn't realize how much she likes superworms, and that she wasn't eating her crickets. Right now she's about 90-100 grams. Her droppings are kinda formed but also pretty smelly.
So here's our situation. We have a water dragon with some obviously deep medical problems. The store owner would pay for routine vet procedures but we can't do anything in depth. We do however have free access to many common medications. But this dragon is also in a cage which is too small. Do you think we should try to adopt her to someone and hope they get her the right medical care or keep her at the store until she seems stronger? I can't take her home myself, my financial responsiblity to my other pets prevents me from spending their vet fund on a new animal. The owner so far doesn't seem to mind her in the back, but he can be kind of capricious.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

I would keep her for awhile, she needs UVB light and some calcium, it sounds like she has some bad calcium deficencies. She should be kept in a smaller cage for a time so she can't fall and break any bones, until her calcium issues are resolved. You would have to find someone with a good deal of knowledge of water dragons who is willing to treat her problems, and I don't know if you would be able to.
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I honestly would say take it to a vet...have a fecal done, a regular exam, and have the vet give a D3 and/or calcium injection. D3 is what allows calcium to cross into the blood stream and therefore go into the bones and other organs that need the calcium. That vet visit is pretty basic. If any parasites are found in the fecal, the vet will prescribe a dewormer (which is pretty cheap) and you can give it to the WD orally. That's what needs to be done. If the owner is saying that he'll pay for something basic...what I've described is it. Best of Luck

The store vet was in but left before I got a chance to ask him.(I had to show him some rats first who are actually in more desperate straits than our WD. Good rat suppliers are hard to find, apparently.) Hopefully I can get him to see her next week.
She's actually putting on weight very well, she's gained 30 grams... that's an entire crested gecko... She eats every day now. Also, her poop looks much better but probably still needs to be checked out.
I live near a decent sized metropolitan area, so I probably can find SOMEONE to take her. Thankfully there's no rush right now.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!