Femoral Pores

[KarrieRee]

This terrarium he’s in right now sucks, and I’ll have to see what I can do about mounting it inside. He’s been spending a lot of time outside with us, even When I get the new terrarium I will definitely make sure he has the proper lighting. I was having trouble figuring out why I couldn’t get his temperatures up and found out the basking bulb they had was just a plain light bulb. Now that I’ve replaced that, he’s doing a lot better. Had 2 hornworms and some veggies today.

Its good hes eating --- the outside sun is going to help him w/ the UVB rays -- I do see he has a black beard going - sign of distress or pain -- please take the screen off the tank and put the UVB width wise across your tank w/ a distance of 12-15 inches but please do this as soon as you can

 

[fcooper]

Hello! I recently rescued this 13 year old bearded dragon. I have no experience but I just couldn’t leave him. He looks weak and malnourished to me, so I’m starting him out slow with a little fresh veggie and some raw honey. He’s also got a heat lamp and basking lamp, I still need to buy a UV. My main concern is his femoral pores though. They are long and hard, but don’t look too irritated in my opinion. I let him soak for 20 min today and kept the water warm, yet they don’t seem to be softening. Any advice or opinions?

Just gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, they should come off with a little work.

 

[kaitlynp]

Its good hes eating --- the outside sun is going to help him w/ the UVB rays -- I do see he has a black beard going - sign of distress or pain -- please take the screen off the tank and put the UVB width wise across your tank w/ a distance of 12-15 inches but please do this as soon as you can

yes I’m assuming it’s just because of the lighting. I also discovered that the lights should be turned off at night, which I’m a little nervous about the temp dropping so I may get one of those ceramic heat things, so I’m going to do that tonight and see if he’s just not been sleeping well??

I also was able to get one of the plugs out tonight. Finally!!

 

[kaitlynp]

Just gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, they should come off with a little work.

sadly this little guy hasn’t been taken care of for a few years so they’re pretty in there and hard. I pulled the first one out tonight after days of soaking for 20 min and adding coconut oil, so hopefully the rest will be able to be pulled out soon.

 

[KarrieRee]

yes I’m assuming it’s just because of the lighting. I also discovered that the lights should be turned off at night, which I’m a little nervous about the temp dropping so I may get one of those ceramic heat things, so I’m going to do that tonight and see if he’s just not been sleeping well??

I also was able to get one of the plugs out tonight. Finally!!

He's not sleeping w/ the lights on photo period 12 hrs on 12 hrs off- if your tank is falling below 65 at night you need a che ceramic heat emitter- but please get the ambient temp in the morning and shut his lights off --

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It will take time for him to start to feel more like a normal little beardie since he has been
neglected previously. That is good you did get one of the femoral plugs out, how is the area
looking?
The lighting & heating make a tremendous difference in behavior & appetite. Keep us posted
on how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[kaitlynp]

Update again: I’ve gotten the plugs out of all but one of his femoral pores. I attached pictures just in case anyone is intrigued like I am

I turned his lights off last night and he was even more active today. However, I noticed when outside he was more skittish than he’s been, and he also seemed pale to me. I googled it and it said he could be overheating (or dying so yikes). That kind of freaked me out so I brought him in and he’s seemed like that all day. I ordered a new thermometer with my UVB light so that should come in this week, in case my temperatures inside are just off too. I added a picture of him outside (i promise I watch him like a hawk and just have him in that laundry basket bc he was so skittish today) so y’all could see how skinny he is and get a good look at him.

He also seemed to notice his reflection and was bobbing and glass surfing. I also ordered a background that should come next week. Does anyone have any temporary solutions to a background until then? Can I just hang construction paper or paper towels inside for now?

I really appreciate all the help this forum has provided me on this journey. Thank y’all.

 

[KarrieRee]

Update again: I’ve gotten the plugs out of all but one of his femoral pores. I attached pictures just in case anyone is intrigued like I am

I turned his lights off last night and he was even more active today. However, I noticed when outside he was more skittish than he’s been, and he also seemed pale to me. I googled it and it said he could be overheating (or dying so yikes). That kind of freaked me out so I brought him in and he’s seemed like that all day. I ordered a new thermometer with my UVB light so that should come in this week, in case my temperatures inside are just off too. I added a picture of him outside (i promise I watch him like a hawk and just have him in that laundry basket bc he was so skittish today) so y’all could see how skinny he is and get a good look at him.

He also seemed to notice his reflection and was bobbing and glass surfing. I can’t order anything right now and have no plan to head into town this week where I could buy one in person, so does anyone have any temporary solutions to a background? Can I just hang construction paper or paper towels inside for now?

I really appreciate all the help this forum has provided me on this journey. Thank y’all.

What UVB did you order? When it comes in please post back on here the UVB has certain placement and distance for certain bulbs along w/ your screen on the tank

 

[kaitlynp]

What UVB did you order? When it comes in please post back on here the UVB has certain placement and distance for certain bulbs along w/ your screen on the tank

Yes, we talked about it earlier in this thread. Thanks!

 

[Xjrosie]

Acrylic paint on the outside of the tank, or newspaper print paper with art tape pr painters tape...can you tell what I do in my spare time lol?

 

[kaitlynp]

Acrylic paint on the outside of the tank, or newspaper print paper with art tape pr painters tape...can you tell what I do in my spare time lol?

I’ve tried putting paper on the outside but he can still see his reflection, would acrylic paint be any different? It would be fun to do though.

 

[Xjrosie]

I’ve tried putting paper on the outside but he can still see his reflection, would acrylic paint be any different? It would be fun to do though.

If you have him in glass, nothing will 100% get rid of the reflection. The reason pictured backgrounds seem to work is that it is harder to see the reflection, but it never goes all the way away. So, if you use paint, make a busy picture instead of painting it just one color.

 

[kaitlynp]

If you have him in glass, nothing will 100% get rid of the reflection. The reason pictured backgrounds seem to work is that it is harder to see the reflection, but it never goes all the way away. So, if you use paint, make a busy picture instead of painting it just one color.

Ohh okay. I bought this like wooden background that you put inside the terrarium. I may try coloring a busy piece of paper and putting it around it.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great to see you have gotten almost all of the plugs out. They get hard & waxy. How is he
doing now, probably feels a lot better now.
It sounds like he is doing very well right now! Let us know how things are going.

Tracie

 

[kaitlynp]

Update again: He’s doing very well. A lot more active: climbing up his structures into his hammock and exploring his home, even running around outside on his little harness. He’s eating a lot more too, actually finished his little plate of veggies yesterday and had some super worms (i try to give him some kind of worm every other day). He still is warming up to me, typically closes his eyes when I pick him up, but I also believe he may be shedding which I read can make them not want to be handled as much. He still has one femoral plug that I can not remove. Since the nearest reptile vet is a few hours away I am going to try and make him an appointment next month, that way if he still has it they can remove it. I will add pictures so you can see him in his enclosure. Thanks y’all.