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 #1723122


Waste_my_Time
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 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Okay, My friend from school told me he had a baby bearded dragon. And by the way he talked about it at first, it sounded like he was taking care of it.Well over the weeks, I’d ask him about it just to check up on it. And at first everything was good. Then he said " it doesn’t like to eat greens". That worried me a bit,but he said he gave it crix every day. So I just thought it sounded alright.

Well another month or so went by,and I asked for a newer pic. I could see a huge deterioration and it almost looked like it had signs of MBD not to mention a bit skinny. So I asked upfront, "Dude that looks really bad.Is he still not eating greens?" and he said he was. But I can’t really be sure that that wasn’t a lie also. Well I talked to him a little more and it turns out he was only getting crix once every 3 days to 5 days. And that really got me kind of frustrated. I’ve even offered to pick crix up when I get mine before. And he always says he has some.

Well finally I realized that he wasn’t going to change his ways and take care of him right. So I offered to take him for free, and he would get fed every day and taken care of correctly. But him being the kind of person he is, giving something away for free doesn’t give him anything in return. He wanted $100 for the baby beardie and a 40 breeder that was brand new. and everything that was in his cage. (a water dish, a food dish, one small branch and calcium sand.) Well I don’t have a job so that was wayyy out of the question....Nothing else I could do.. =/

Now it had been about a month or so since the last time I talked to him about his beardie. So, I asked how he was doing. And he said that everything was fine, he sleeps all the time.., he barely eats greens still... ( that means he does NOT eat them. ><)
After I heard that I was done hearing his bullcrap stories.I told him that I’d buy his bearded dragon before it dies on him or hes gonna be stuck with a dead baby dragon. He said he’d think about it. And I told him he needed to think quick. Well the next day I did some yard work and landscaping work at my moms. I made $80. I told him I’d give him $30 for the beardie and the cage. He said $35. I said "DEAL". Then he called his mom and asked her if he could sell it, called me back and said she said
the breeder was to new to sell for that cheap.( But he has extra cages from his animals dying or him selling them to family members. w/o cages. cause they’re worth something... I guess the reptiles aren’t?) So the smallest ones were a ten gallon or a 40 gallon aquarium. I told him I’d take the 40 aquarium. Cause I already have two empty 10’s sitting in my house. He called his mom and she said "$40" or no deal. which is strange a 40 year old woman with a job and a paid off house would care about a measly $5. But I just said "okay". I just wanted to get the beardie and help it.

anyways. I finally got him yesterday. I set him up with all new basking spots for his cage. and a new slate rock for a basking rock. I put reptile carpet in there. His current light was for a 40 breeder. the people at Petco said it was the right size for a 40 breeder.So his mom bought it. But by the temps I got in the 40 gal i think it will be okay. about 100 directly under it on the top branch. and 95 down on the bottom on the slate rock. gets down to like 75 on cold side.

I think the baby might have MBD but Idk for sure. He said he never gave it calcium.... but when I had been asking him before, he said he was. Anyway I tried to get it to eat some collard greens broken up really small, he wouldn’t.I bought some small crix. He wouldn’t touch them. Well I put her in warm water in a shallow dish. got my fingers wet and gave her a little warm water drip bath. it closed its eyes and actually relaxed a second. but wouldn’t even lick water off its lips. It seems really weak. But it had a few bursts of energy running away from my hand a few times.

I really don’t know what to do. I worried so much I dreamed about getting help for her.. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here are some pics of her and her new setup. My girlfriend claims that it, is actually a little she. And named her Zara from one of her books. I hope I get help and she pulls through. =(










Please please please help our new dragon friend.I love beardies. I’ve had mine since he was smaller than this one. Now hes almost 3 years old. And he loves to pal around on on the couch and play grand theft auto 4. lol. Now my girlfriend has a chance to see one grow up. and have it bond with her. Thanks everyone who reads this.please post with comments or help. I’d appreciate it, Mike.



05/02/08  11:11am

 #1723144


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723122


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

I had bought small mealworms, because I’m picking up some new leos in a month or so. And I sat there and talked to the little dragon. And kept my hand in there for a minute. I didn’t touch her. I moved really slow. And I coated some small mealies with calcium D3.She ate three. I dont wanna run a risk of impaction, she just came off sand and shes tiny. I’m gonna try some crix now. And maybe just spend time with her. try a warm bath in her water bowl again. try for some greens a little bit. please post. and tell me if I’m doing anything wrong and what i can do to make it right.
05/02/08  11:46am

 #1723148


Dragon Lover
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723122


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Hey Mike,

She’s a cutie.

Do you have a uvb for her? I must have missed it if you put it on there.

You need to up the basking temps to between 110-115. Try and get some jump start and see if she will lick some of it if you put it on the tip of the nose.

Very important is to do a fecal exam. When she poops, take that in and have it checked for parasites. A lot of these little guys have parasites and act slugginsh.

How old is she? Keep her hydrated. Go get yourself a jar of chicken and vegetables baby food. Put some in a small spoon and touch her nose with it until she start licking it. Do this every three hours or so and see if that helps her perk up a bit.

What type of calcium are you dusting. Does it have D3?

Edel
05/02/08  11:53am

 #1723151


Dragon Lover
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   Message To: Dragon Lover   In reference to Message Id: 1723148


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

You’re right, you don’t want to chance impaction, especially is she is somewhat impacted already. Don’t feed mealworms any more. Even three could be bad for her.

Once she starts eating, remember, a little bit of food a few times a day is better than a lot all at once.



05/02/08  11:56am

 #1723153


Dragon Lover
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   Message To: Dragon Lover   In reference to Message Id: 1723151


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Hey,
I just re-read everything. You have to get her a UVB. She really needs it to make her better and it will also help her eat.

Are you using a MVB for heat or is it just a regular heat bulb?
05/02/08  11:59am

 #1723207


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Dragon Lover   In reference to Message Id: 1723153


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

I’m using a Zoo-med Repti-Basking spot lamp, 100w. Its the same one I use on my adult beardie.

And as for the fecal, I don’t really have any herp vets around.

I’m guessing shes around 7 months??? I’m not really sure at all.

I’m trying to keep her hydrated but she doesn’t wanna drink, or lick anything I put in front of her.

I tried her small crix again. and she wouldn’t touch them. then I tried a medium cricket. and she ate one. I have 4 in her cage right now, and I’m monitoring to make sure they don’t hurt her. I had the lamp on a stand I made so it wouldn’t get as hot in there. I thought that babies needed it to be a bit cooler. But I just put the lamp directly on the screen and I’ll have more new temp readings in the next couple hours or so.

I’m trying not to stress her out as much as possible, coming into a new taller cage and being off of the only substrate shes been on all her life ( calci-sand) to a solid repticarpet one. that’d sure rock my world. Plus it kind of looks like shes a bit scared of people,but she calms down quickly. I’ll try and go to the store when my dad gets off work and get some baby food for the little guy. Thanks so much for actually reading everything I typed. lol.
05/02/08  01:44pm

 #1723209


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723207


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

actually shes probably less than 6 months..??
05/02/08  01:52pm

 #1723244


Dragon Lover
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723209


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Hey,

The light that you are using is just the heat bulb. She needs the sun’s rays to metabolise the calcium in her body. That is why we use a UVB. If you can’t get her a uvb right now, then take her outside for about 15 mintues every day, if it’s warm. The uv rays will make her want to eat. Without it, the calcium you are giving him does nothing and she could end up getting MDB (Metabolic Bone Disease).

Babies need a highe basking temperature than the adults. They need to reach a body temp of 103 degrees to digest their food. The basking temp should be between 110-115.
05/02/08  02:50pm

 #1723276


Smyrnamom06
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723209


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Mike - she is a cutie! and I am glad you have her - I rescued one with similar traits - she is that size and 2 years old! We bought our first dragon in January and now have two - I have learned so much from the people here you came to the right place! Edel is a great source of info.
Good Luck and please keep up posted.
-Valerie



05/02/08  03:30pm

 #1723294


Crocadile_dragon
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   Message To: Smyrnamom06   In reference to Message Id: 1723276


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Dragon lover im not saying your wrong or anything I thought temps for babys should be 100 on the basking site and 85 on the cold side. i did these temps and my beardies are very healthy. and wast my time get a uvb please. hope you have a good time with the cutie.
05/02/08  03:44pm

 #1723360


Link24
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   Message To: Crocadile_dragon   In reference to Message Id: 1723294


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

no dragon lover is not wrong baby’s are suppose to be 110 to 115 she knows alot about bearded dragon she is one of the ones that helped me make mine as healthy as it is
05/02/08  04:41pm

 #1723458


Yoshi55
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723122


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Yeah, and def get your adult beardie a UVB bulb too. Only get a long tube either, reptisun 10 OR ONLY reptiglo 8. Dont get a reptiglo 10. They give off bad rays and have chemicals in them bad for beardies. You can go to LLLreptile.com and get the long tube UVB for 20 bucks instead of paying 50 at the store!! They both need one asap!! You wont be stressin the baby out by doing minor things that she NEEDS! Trust me and Dragon lover, they are hardy animals..but they need the right environment. Also, the temps are right..they need to be at least 107 basking if she doesnt like 110-115. Some babies dont. But up the temps at the basking spot and make sure she has a cool side in the 80’s. Your cage setup looks good. I wouldnt feed her medium crickets..only the size between her eyes should be fed. And def no more meal worms! They cant digest them and if she is impacted from the sand, then thats double trouble. Try giving her baths with a little bit of pedialyte to help keep her hydrated. She farely ok, I noticed her legs spraled out, but she looks to be like she is basking. My baby does the same thing. Also, at night make sure the temps dont get below 63 or so, but they should get around 70-75 so she can shut her body down. No heat lights or any type of light either at night. The night is when she can rejuvinate and get her strength. If she doesnt eat..then just try later. Try not to feed her early..make sure her lights have been on for a good 2 hours before feeding her. She will get hungry this way. Dont over do this "caring" for her either. Too much stress on you is stress on her too. So, take your time and just let her be alone for a while. The greens will take time, she is still a baby so just try putting them in in the mornignwhen you turn the lights on and let them stay in there before you feed her crickets. She might eat them if she is hungry ennough. Just take your time like I said! Keep us posted!
05/02/08  06:21pm

 #1723543


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Yoshi55   In reference to Message Id: 1723458


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Okay so I need to get a long tube bulb and fixture. either a reptisun10 or reptiglow 8. I need to get one for my adult too. I took the temp on her highest part of the log is 108 and a little further down its like 101ish and its 103 on her rock at the bottom. I’m gonna turn her light off at night and use no night light. which I do for my adult too. I actually saw her up and moving around her cage. I think she ate one of her small crix. =) i’ll keep posts on how shes doing for everyone. Thanks so much guys. it means alot to have cool people online that can help me with my herps. =D
05/02/08  07:46pm

 #1725740


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1723543


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Sorry for the late post. She ate like 5 or 6 small crix yesterday. And I think she even tried some collard greens. (she was tasting them and looking kinda puzzled when I saw her last.) lol. Shes pretty funny so far, i think its the little baby face thing that’s getting me. I’ll post some more pics in a few days, to show the difference. I’m already sure I can see a difference.She had a ton of "stress marks" on her belly and neck the day we got her. And today it looks alot lighter and you can almost not see them at all. Shes been moving around alot more. Checking out her new cage.(which I’m pretty sure she loves.) lol.

Anyway,I have to wait another few days or so to get the bulbs.. they’re pretty pricey, so I’m gonna have to do some yard work or something. Make some quick $. I’m 16 and don’t have a job until summer time.

My brother uses an MVB (mercury vapor bulb) on his 2 dragons. He told me I should just get one of them for my dragons. He gets them from a guy who runs the Florida reptile house or something. And he actually talked to the guy and stuff. He said they last one year. So should I just save up $100 and get two of them??

And another thing about the baby. shes pooped every day I’ve had her. And today she was even soaking in her water dish by herself. Until she pooped in it... =p

Thanks for the help guys.
Please tell me what else I can do to make life better for her.
05/05/08  09:54am

 #1725895


Yoshi55
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1725740


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Thats good she is pooping everyday! I wouldnt save 100 bucks for that b/c she needs it soon. Go to LLLreptile.com and look at the long tube reptisun 10. They are 20 bucks!! Ask your parents if they will order it for you..and give them 20 bucks! Then go to walmart and go to the lighting area...find the fixtures that hold the flouresant tubes and get the under cabinet fixture that you can take the lens off of. They are 9 bucks. So..that shouldnt be too hard to get about 30 bucks together right?? I hope it works out for you cuz that is very important. Are you dustin her crix as well?? If so, with what?



05/05/08  02:17pm

 #1727232


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Yoshi55   In reference to Message Id: 1725895


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Repti-cal w/ d3. I’m gonna order two MVBs soon.



05/06/08  05:41pm

 #1728393


Yoshi55
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   Message To: Waste_my_Time   In reference to Message Id: 1727232


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Oh and when you have a uvb that is the right strength, u dont need the vitd3 daily.. it will cause an overdose..so just use regular calcium dust without the vitd3 everyday then the reptivite with the vitd3 once a week. Good luck! :)
05/07/08  05:35pm

 #1729362


Waste_my_Time
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   Message To: Yoshi55   In reference to Message Id: 1728393


 Rescued baby needs help!!!! =(

Okay. cool. Thanks for telling me. I already bought plain calcium for the two baby leos I’m getting.
05/08/08  03:06pm


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