Like the title says, I'm looking into and thoroughly researching bearded dragons to see if one would be a good fit for my family. My son has been telling me for weeks that Santa is probably bringing him a snake or a lizard and I should prepare myself, so that's what I'm doing. I have 8 year old twins, and a bearded dragon would be their one big gift from Santa Claus. They would not be the primary caretakers for obvious reasons, so I'm also researching what level of care they need, etc. I've learned they need quite a bit when they're younger, and I'm also trying to figure out if this is financially feasible for my family as well. I'm posting mainly because I have a question about habitat. I've been looking at different potential terrariums and I found one called the zen habitat. It's 4 feet long by 2 feet wide, so plenty of room. I'm just wondering if any bearded dragon owners on here have any first hand experience with these enclosures? Also, hoping to find a good breeder in Louisiana that will have some fun morphs, hopefully the bright yellow colors. I wouldn't mind having one shipped, but it would be easiest for us to pick up on Christmas Eve from someone local if that's at all possible. I have a veterinarian (for my dog) that also sees bearded dragons so that's in order. Anyway, just saying hello and introducing myself because I'll probably have lots of questions lol. Thanks!
A bearded dragon from Santa Claus: CandyCane passed away :(
- Thread starter opaquelace
- Start date
opaquelace
Hatchling Member
KarrieRee":3jkq63es said:
Just got an email from the vet. She’s improved since around lunchtime when I brought her. They’re giving her fluids and anti inflammatories and she’s holding her head up and looking around. I’ve got Wilbur sleeping on my chest for some warmth right now too. I think having CandyCanes blanket in her carrier kept the heat in and didn’t let it vent out the sides. They have a basket type carrier that has vents all along the side with a clear top. Cute Wilbur I’m so glad he’s ok at least.
opaquelace
Hatchling Member
Me too. She’s not out of the woods yet but I’ll be honest I didn’t expect her to make it at all. I thought she was dead when I went to take her blanket out. Stiff, mouth open. She improved as she got a little cooler, and she seems to have responded to the heat lamp at the ER vet along with the anti inflammatories and fluids. It’s just if she continues to improve is the thing. Hopefully she does. Her mouth is closed now and she’s moving her head about and holding it up. To say this has been stressful is an understatement. I haven’t had to evacuate for a hurricane since Katrina and that was 6 weeks of not returning home. Thankfully my house is ok and we just don’t have power. Once we have power we will head home. Hopefully with CandyCane alive in tow. The vet said she’d call me in the am so I’ll update then.KarrieRee":39xqim6s said:
opaquelace
Hatchling Member
CandyCane hasn’t improved much since last night. She’s no longer stiff, but she’s very floppy I guess is what the vet said. They have a specialist that’s on staff during the week and she’s going to take a look at her tomorrow and we will know more then. The vet said she’s alert, holds her head up, isn’t splayed out, but she’s fairly lethargic and they just don’t know how she will fair. They said I can take a look at her tomorrow to see how I think she is. I guess with reptile metabolisms being so slow any recovery they do make is also fairly slow.
opaquelace
Hatchling Member
Thank you. I hope she’s able to pull through. Her alertness and response to the people around her is heartening for me, and I’m hoping she’s just going to be lethargic for a while and just require extra TLC to come around. She’s a pretty lazy dragon in general unless she’s frightened (which she would be at the vet) but if she’s feeling lousy she might just be lazing about. Our power should be back on this evening so my husband and kids are probably heading home tomorrow while I wait for the specialist and I’ll probably leave Thursday with my dad and hopefully CandyCane in tow. Wilbur at least can go home and get back to normal in his enclosure. I’ve been letting him get sunshine by the window inside the apartment and taking him out to bask on me and catch some heat.KarrieRee":37frqj9f said:
opaquelace
Hatchling Member
Wilbur is such a cool cucumber during this evacuation. Comes out of his carrier to bask on me outside, catches some rays by the window when he can, and he’s exploring while all the dogs are out. I used my iPhone measuring app too and he’s currently 20.5 inches long.
ComicBookMama
Sub-Adult Member
opaquelace":2cql9ro8 said:
Glad Wilbur is doing well and can go home... sending prayers for Candy Cane to pull through. I know how hard it can be to go without power for multiple days; to have a dragon in crisis at the same time would be maddening!
opaquelace
Hatchling Member
Unfortunately she didn’t make the night. It took having to euthanize her out of my hands, which I was really worried about. She had looked poor in the photo the vet sent me last night so I had planned on calling this morning to visit her and request euthanizing her. With her passing away she’ll be cremated there and sprinkled in their garden where they sprinkle all the other animal ashes. We’re home now, and Wilbur is super happy to be back in his enclosure, running around and climbing, bowl full of roaches and greens.ComicBookMama":3r7ahwax said:
=( such sad news. I was really hoping she'd bounce back. 
-- I am so sorry about candy cane- what a heartbreaking expierence- they often don't recover from being overheated but there is always hope - opaquelace
Hatchling Member
Claudiusx":1lczaq9r said:So sorry for you and your child's loss
She was your daughters right? How is she taking it?
-Brandon
It comes in waves. Sometimes she’s ok, and she’ll say she feels better. Then it comes back. We just got home and I turned the lights off for CandyCane’s enclosure after I put Wilbur back in his and she was crying again. Both kids are devastated (and to be honest me too). I feel so guilty because I had put her on the porch which was surrounded by trees bushes and it was a tall apartment building and I didn’t think a small patch of sunshine could do that. I told Marilou she’s not suffering anymore and has an endless buffet of hornworms to eat so she’s happy and running around. It will take time. I remember losing my first pet and it was a lot to handle at that age but it’s part of loving an animal.
ComicBookMama
Sub-Adult Member
Oh, I am SO sorry and sad to hear about this... it was so clear to anyone who read this thread how very loved Candy Cane was. I’m also sorry that there aren’t many books out there to help your daughter cope with her grief; most focus on dogs and cats. Mr. Rogers did a wonderful job with When a Pet Dies, which is more inter species, but your daughter might be a little old for that. Please don’t beat yourself up over what happened... we all make mistakes, and we are all here for you as you work through this. Sending prayers your way.
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