Fat, fat, FAT beardie!

Hi all, it's been a while since I last posted because I've been without a beardie since my last rescue, Bowser, passed away about a year ago. I just got a beardie from someone on craigslist, and quite frankly I'm labelling it a rescue because this thing is SO overweight! Poor girl. (The family's beagle didn't look too slim either.) Note that she is NOT a German Giant or anything like that- just a Sandfire.
Firstly, her nails were super sharp and long, but a simple trim took care of that right away. Crushed walnut shells as the substrate- those are going away tomorrow and putting newspaper until I can get some tile. Compact UV bulb- getting a new long one at the pet shop tomorrow. Finally, the heat lamp wasn't even red, so you would have to turn it off at night. Makes for a chilly beardie! So all these things I can fix, but the diet I am unsure of.
For sure she needs more veggies and less protein (superworms or crickets.) But do you have any specific tips for this? For example, how do I know when and how much to feed her worms? Would about 3 supers 3 times a week suffice? That way she might be hungry enough to go for the veggies more often.
I like to avoid vet trips, but if she is in danger, I have no problem paying a vet bill to get a professional opinion for a diet plan. What do you think? Is she obese to the point where I should speak to a vet? Or do you think I can cut the weight SAFELY on my own? I do have a very good exotics vet who has taken care of all of my beardies over the years.
Thanks for any opinions. This girl is in good hands now and we will get her back to a healthy weight with better environmental conditions!
Here are some pics so you can tell what I'm talking about- please feel free to browse the entire album. Note that these pics are not her "pancaking" or flattening out- this is just what she looks like when lounging and relaxed. I feel like I should track her weight on a scale on a weekly basis, but at the moment the only scale I have available is one at my local university. (I do have access though.) Might be a good tool to use.





Entire album here: http://s249.photobucket.com/user/chemgrl08/library/Sunny%20aka%20Princess%20Daisy-%20obese?sort=3&page=1

Wow, that is a chunky girl but not grossly overweight yet. I don't see any reason for a emergency vet trip.

I would cut superworms completely out of her diet, they are fattening and addictive. Give 2-3 adult or near adult dubia 2-3 times a week instead, silkworms would be good too. If she doesn't eat greens well, you can ever withhold all insects for awhile. Its not like she will starve and sometime you have to force them to choose greens or starvation.

She needs exercise, if she won't run around if you put her on the floor then make her swim. Even if she doesn't like activity, she will have to swim if she doesn't want to sink.

Red bulbs aren't good for dragons, they can see it at night and it can disrupt their sleep cycle. They need bright white light during the day. Unless its get under 60* at night, don't worry about night time heat.

Any chance she could have eggs? Even for a big girl, her tummy looks really inflated. She is really very pretty, love the high yellows.

Ah, thank you for the tips. She has never been with a male, but I suppose she could still have eggs, correct? Good idea with the exercise; I hadn't thought about that. I was also unsure about the supers, so thanks for that too.
I had thought nighttime temps needed to stay at 70*; perhaps my memory is incorrect. My apt definitely doesn't get below 60*F, so perhaps that bulb is ok after all. I've used red heat bulbs in the past without any problems, but I will take your advice into consideration.
I think holding off on bugs for a while might be a good idea. The owner said she doesn't really like to chase crickets (I wasn't too surprised considering her weight.) But if she gets hungry enough, she might go for it eventually.
Thanks so much for te tips. Still welcome to hearing other opinions as well. I'll try to keep things updated.

Damn I kinda feel bad now cause Harley looks like that but a red/orange 12 week old version of yours. Maybe I need to cut Harleys dubia diet down a little hehe. I do like that yellow color though. Might be the color I get next for a male

She can have eggs even if never mated, can you contact her previous owners and ask if she's ever laid before? Some females never lay infertile eggs while others will every year.

Beautiful colors! Very pretty yellow citrus. Not extremely obese so no need for a vet trip yet. Nice baths will help her get exercise to lose some weight.