Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I rescued a beardie and she has some obvious problems. The person who had her was pretty much an idiot. I'm not sure on her long term care, but I know that the last couple of weeks he thought she was dead so she had no lighting or food for at least 2 weeks. Poor thing WEll I have had her for a couple days now. She will eat on her own, not as much as she should be for her size. But her biggest problem is that she shakes, espaically when she tries running around. I am pretty sure that is a disease of where they didn't get enough calcium and sort when they were younger. She is definitly savable at this point, but I would like any help I can get at this point to try to get her as much back to normal as possible. Cage setup and all that is good now, so mainly just what I should be feeding her to get as much calcium in her as possible. And if anyone knows if she could be back to normal ever agian w/ the right care? Thanks in advance for any help, Cara

Wow, that is awful. I hate hearing this type of thing. But first off, let me thank you for taking this dragon into your care. I wish there were more people like you. Not sure what to do other than say perhaps a vet trip would be in order. Clearly she would be dehydrated and malnourished. I would give her lots of electrolytes to push the hydration. If you feed her too much before she's hydrated, that can do more harm than good. SO hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Then if she won't eat, force her too. Nothing harsh, perhaps some babyfood mixed with calcium, or blend some greens. Let us know how she does...
Poor baby.
Jamie

What I really need to know is what would be the best source of calcium? I may be way off And you guys may laugh at me, but for some reason I keep thinking I heard something about "Tums" at some point. Let me know.Thanks again, Cara

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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

I would add that you might try giving her warm baths. Don't make the water too high (or too hot, but warm) since she can't hold herself up well (I would not leave her alone in the water for even a second). She might actually be more comfortable resting on your hand in the water. This will help to rehydrate. Try dripping some water (or pedialyte) on the tip of her snout to try and stimulate drinking

Do you have a good herp vet? If you're not sure got to link below and look at vet lsiting links. S/he will likely give her subcutaneous fluids and may also give her an injection of calcium as it certainly soumds like MBD (metabolic bone disease). This is from improper nutriton, lack of sunlight or good UVB lights which stimulates animals to produce vitamin D3.

For now, I would feed her soft foods (waxworms, silkworms, maybe fruit babyfood) and steer clear of mealies, superworms, etc. Dust in a good calcium/d3 supplement (e.g. Rep-Cal brand). Silkworms are naturally high in calcium. Squash, kale and collards for veggies if she'll take them. Check out Beautiful Dragon's nutritional chart for high calcium foods http://home.comcast.net/~holachapulin/Nutrition.html

Do you know how old she is? How can someone "think she's dead" and leave her in a tank????? This is the kind of person who should blow himslef up! (sorry, don't mean to offend anyone or minimize what is happening in the world, I am just amazed what idiots walk this earth...grrrr)

Call the vet and see if they can get you in immediately - consider it an emergency. If she poops (though unlikely) bring it in for a fecal, too in case she has parasites or other problems. Keep us posted...

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

I would guess she is probably about 6 months old. She is really pretty too. Lots of peach color in her. She auctully eats on her own. It is just a pittiful thing to watch, she shakes all over. She drinks when I soak her. She is definilty a trooper for everything she has been through. I soaked some bearded dragon pellets and mixed in some cricket dust for now. Do you know where I could order some silk worms from? I have heard before they are good for them. As far as the idiot that had her, I agree. If you can believe it he works at a pet store. I couldn't believe it when my boyfriend told me the story. I am just glad he no longer has her. Thanks for the help, Cara

Hi,
People like that should not be allowed to have animals....EVER! I'm glad you got her, at least she has a shot at life now. MBD can be treated. Lots and lots of access to natural sunlight can help, lots of extra calcium and as lele mentioned, a vet may be able to give a calcium injection. You should probably take her to the vet ASAP. Here's a link for silkworms that I buy from regularly...no problems ever. Silks are a great staple feeder...very high in calcium and protein.
-Nicky

Silkies

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What does friend mean to you?
A word so wrongfully abused
Are you like me, confused
All included but you
Alone...
The sounds of silence often soothe
Shapes and colors shift with mood
Pupils widen and change their hue
Rapid brown avoid clear blue
Why’s it have to be this way?
Be this way
Flowers watched through wide brown eyes
A child sings an unclaimed tune
Innocence spins cold cocoon
Grow to see the pain too soon
-Alice In Chains
2.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo, Layne, & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah
1.0 Betta

Also, if she does have MBD is this cureable at all? Or will she always have some symptoms?

The vet may also give you NeoCalglucon which is a VERY conecentrated form of liquid calcium. Only give her what he prescribes - more is not better and can lead to too many problems. It is based on the dragons weight and health.
Calcium balancing can be tough (believe me! - lived with it for nearly 2 years with Luna) so a vet's intervention is imperative. Even though she is eating you might want to supplement her food with Fluker's Repta-aid. It is for severely dehydrated animals. There are specific guidelines included in package. Most any chain pet store should have it and is about $10.

Do you live in a region with lots of sun? (not here in the northeast these days!) bring her outside as much as you can. Just let her sit on your lap or the grass (again - don't take your eyes of her) and soak up some rays. so long as she doesn't overheat.

The link Nicky gave you for silkies is one of the best and they have free ship Friday - so get on it! lol! You will have them by Monday or Tuesday. I would suggest going with sub-adult size silkworms. They have some specials so one of the mixed trial kits with food might be a good idea, too. Keep in mind that you need either access to fresh mulberry leaves of be sure to get the chow. The chow is easy to make and will keep for quite some time.

lele
Repta-aid

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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha