Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey everyone, ok i went to the petstore today to get crickets and i saw they had a baby bearded for sale.... the poor thing looked like he was only a week old.. he was tremendously tiny... BUT.. there was also something wrong with him--> he wouldnt stand on his hind legs to walk, he just dragged them along his side and they were bent weird, unlike normal beardies... can anyone tell me anything? i really would like to rescue the poor thing from the petstore, but if there is something wrong with him they shouldnt be selling him for 80 dollars-- i might see if they will give him to me cheaper since there is something wrong with him... but i need some info before i go in to talk to the manager there...Also, I noticed his feet were rather large for his tiny body... is that normal? he was so thin and just didnt look good, i saw one of the crickets they were feeding the poor beardy and it was huge!! it was way bigger than the length btw his eyes to the tip of his nose...and i would love to rescue him if possible.... thanks for any info you can give me.

happens alot in baby beardies, especially in petstores. It is a calcium defincicy.

It could also be an impaction from food that is too large for their little bellies to handle.

One way or another the little bugger is in pain. I would contact someone about him asap.
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"raised by a cup of coffee"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
0.1 partial stripe ghost corn- Raven
1.0 Sunglow motley corn-Ernie
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1 collared lizard-O-ren
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.0.2 Red american toadlets with 0.0.7 legs total (er, i have one w/3....)
0.0.1 gray tree frog toadlet
0.0.6 land snails
0.0.2 millipedes of unknown species from TN
0.0.1 spotted slug
5.3 bettas
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
2.3 ratties Rizzo, Bounce, Bree, Blitzkreig, and Zelda

thats what i was thinking as well... im just not extremely sure how to discuss this with the petstore
i really would like to rescue this poor little guy... they are feeding him crickets that are way too big for him and also have him on sand substrate...im guessing hes about 1 week old.. hes tiny-does anyone have any ideas about how to speak to the manager of the store about this issue?

express your concerns for the health of the little beadie. perhaps you could volunteer to come in and take care of him once a day. (apropriate substate, food, vitamins, ect...) Insist that the owner/manager doesnt sell the little guy until you've nursed him back to health. but, dont blame the owner/manager for the miscare, this would only upset him, and you wouldnt be able to help the dragon at all. if the manager agrees, at least you'll know you did your part for the health of the species, whether you buy him or not. good luck, and keep us updated...

i was thinking of actually seeing if i could buy him and take him home to nurse him back to health. hes a cute little bugger...i hate to see anything happen to him. has anyone ever had a petstore be willing to sell a sick animal to them at a lower price?

There is a very high chance he won't survive because of his small size and obvious poor health. Since there are large crickets in the cage and he does't use his hind legs (not to mention sand which most likely is calci sand) he could have MBD and or impaction. Since he is skinny and his feet look too big (bearded dragon toes are on the long side but not overly so)I am guessing he is so skinny the bones of his toes and feet look outsized through his skin.

I would tell the manager that the bearded dragon is sick, suffering from partial paralsis in his rear legs due to either too large of a prey item, impaction from the sand or both and is very malnourished because of it. YOu can ask if he was aware of it and if he has already arranged for treatment via a qualified vet. If he says no but in interesting in finding out how to safe it, then offer to nurse it back to health and bring it back in two weeks, even if he requests a deposit. If he denies anything is wrong or making any effort to take care of it and pretty much gives you the impression he doesn't care if it dies or is sold to some poor customer then dies on them, I would not buy it but instead, if you are able, take pictures of it and complain vigorously at your local ASPCA.

You certainly can bring it to anybody in the store's attention if they happen to be looking at the reptiles at how poor it's condition is, that's it probably impacted because of eating crickets way to big for it, the sand, etc. You could even mention it's not likely to live very long if not brought to a vet. You may find many customers hanging in the store may even support you in getting the manager to do something.

I wouldn't advise buying it for the full price or even a fraction of it as it most likely will need a vet visit and may not survive if it's really young, weak and too far gone. At best you may give it a few days comfort. However it is still possible it can be saved with alot of time, effort, TLC and money (for vet bills etc. if required).

from too large of crickets. I would talk to the manager, not buy the dragon for the price on it..... that only encourages them to continue to sale and treat them like this.

I would offer to take it and try to save it.... if the manager said no that he had to be bought, I would offer to put a fee on it, take it home and try to save it, but be refunded if I am able to save it and return it to the store for sale (unless i WANTED TO KEEP IT) or refunded if it did not make it and I returned it.

Its a crummy situation as you know without care it will certainly die, but on the other hand you do not want to help them keep doing this to baby dragons.

IF you decide or can get the baby, there is an article on our site on impactions and how to clear them.
Impaction in Reptiles

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www.reptilerooms.com

You've got a good heart and deserve a medal or something shiny and expensive.

However, I have two concerns. The first is that this dragon sounds VERY young and with this many strikes against it, I doubt it will make it. If you are willing to spend the time and money trying to nurse it back to health and the store owner will let you do it, then kudos.

The second concern is that you are willing to buy this animal. Please don't buy this dragon or anything else this store sells. If you buy this dragon, you'll be supporting a pet store that should not be in business. Your purchase will allow this store to continue it's mistreatment of animals. It will not stop with this dragon. Anyone who doesn't know basic care requirements for the animals in their charge has no business operating a pet store. Please don't support them, in fact, boycott them. Call the ASPCA. Talk to the manager/owner and let them know of your intentions. There is also a question of legality here, as witnessed by the multiple lawsuits against Petco for very similar behavior. Good luck!
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Mollyskali

"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity." - Lau-tzu - Tao Te Ching