2 week trip--what do i do?

[newmommy]

Hey all, remember this: I am new to beardies.
With that being said, I am taking a 2 week trip and I cannot take him with me, what do I need to do? I no know one in the state I live in, So asking a friend or neighbor is out. Basically the only thing I can do is either pay for him to go to a place where they sit animals or leave him with a timed light and some food. As some of you may already know I am having problems with him not getting enough attention as it is, so I would hate to do that--if that is even possible. Okay wait a minute--posting this makes me feel awful and I realize now that there is no way I can leave him for two weeks unattended right? I mean that is just too long right? OR have some of you done it? My poor beardie, I love him so much and I have even been thinking lately about selling him to someone else so he can have more attention. But I don't want to let him go either, I have read here numerous times that they do not like change--so I would hate for him to deal with the change of new people.

Please people, help me what do I need to do? What do I do for the two week trip I am taking? And do you think I should be looking into replacing him with a new home? I love him and I want the best for him. I feel like this post makes me sound so miserable and I am scared to post it to all you beardie lovers, I am one too, I just got a lot on my plate right now. I thought my family was going to help me with the care of him, but I was wrong, I am the only one who gives our beardie any attention. Help???

 

[jeritta]

where are you located? maybe someone on here knows someone that can help you with a sitter.

 

[thefamemonster]

Thats a pickle. The longest I have left Monster home alone was 3 days. I bathed him right before leaving and stuffed him with crickets and greens. I also left him a ton of greens and a full water dish. Came home and he was passed out on his branch like a lazy dinosaur. What state are you in? I know some Petsmarts have Pet hotels, not sure how much they cost but you could look into that. I don't know what plane restrictions are for reptiles but if you are flying you could see if you could bring your beardie with you and set up a temporary tank on your trip...

 

[beardedneato]

Many vets will board animals so I would check with your vet if you have one already.

For the past two years we have taken Neato with us on car trips. He stayed with us in a beach condo for a week a last month. It is not half as hard as I had thought it would be. Just more things to carry.

 

[BlueDevil]

I wouldn't leave him unattended for two weeks. Maybe contact a local vet or even a dragon breeder that maybe you can pay to sit while you are away? Anyhow I hope it works out for you!

 

[spyder79]

how old is he? An adult/sub adult coul be put into a semi brumation for t weeks no problem (ie withhold food for three days prior, make sure he poops, then lights out) wouldnt cause amy problems..

 

[newmommy]

First off thanks for your thoughts, and for not reaming me, I thought for sure people would reply back and say two weeks are you even hearing yourself? Not until I got to really thinking about taking the trip and writing this did it really hit me that two weeks is just way too long and impossible. I really do love him and am not a bad beardie mama, it is just i ma so busy right now I can't even hear my own thoughts!
Anyway's the thing is, I just CANT take him. It is a 20 hours drive and he got throught that before, but the problem is I am giong to families homes that have just said NO-NO WAY. so with that, I am going to look into petsmart but I am almost certain it will be too high. ANd I will look into beardie breeders. But i live in Waco texas, so if anyone on here can help then hey please do.

 

[spyder79]

First off thanks for your thoughts, and for not reaming me, I thought for sure people would reply back and say two weeks are you even hearing yourself? Not until I got to really thinking about taking the trip and writing this did it really hit me that two weeks is just way too long and impossible. I really do love him and am not a bad beardie mama, it is just i ma so busy right now I can't even hear my own thoughts!
Anyway's the thing is, I just CANT take him. It is a 20 hours drive and he got throught that before, but the problem is I am giong to families homes that have just said NO-NO WAY. so with that, I am going to look into petsmart but I am almost certain it will be too high. ANd I will look into beardie breeders. But i live in Waco texas, so if anyone on here can help then hey please do.

HOW OLD IS HE???

Like I said if he is old enough you can safely shut him down for 2 weeks.

 

[MALIBUSMOM]

800-367-7387heres a # i found online.. Best Friend Pet Sitters..google for more in your area....some vets do it also....most pet stores...

 

[newmommy]

hey syder79, he is about13 or 14 months old. is that old enough? if so, how do i do that? what is that about?

 

[spyder79]

hey syder79, he is about13 or 14 months old. is that old enough? if so, how do i do that? what is that about?

yes at over a year he is old enough to be shut down for a bit.

like i said in my initial post. withhold food 2-3 days out. Make sure he passes a bowel movement so that his system is empty. then just shut the lights down.

 

[MALIBUSMOM]

I would really not recomend leaving him for 2 weeks w/o food and proper hydration.....What are you going to do if you come home and find he has passed???
You will have to live w/ this on your concience.

 

[spyder79]

He would be in a state similar to brumation. Heat controls their metabolism with no heat they will be fine with no food/water for 2 weeks. When a dragon brumates it can be as long as 6 months with zero food.