Beardie in PA, can anyone take him?

[hermansmama]

I was looking online at pet classifieds, and found a posting for a 4 year old beardie who is only 1 ft long! The poster said he's in college and can't take care of him anymore, but that was basically it, and that he likes to be held after he eats!

I was wondering if anyone lives in PA that could take him? I called the kid today and he said he still has him, and is going to call me back later--I was considering taking him temporarily just to get him out of a potentially bad situation (the posting doesn't say there's anything wrong with him, but I feel as though a foot long beardie is a bit strange, and the picture makes him look anarexic!) I'm a bit worried about bringing him home because I just got my first baby beardie, but I don't want this other guy in a situation where he isn't getting the care he needs. If I do end up taking him temporarily (and I say temporary because I'm not sure if he has any serious medical issues that will cost a lot of money that I don't have at the moment) what precautions should I be taking to make sure if he has anything it doesn't get to my baby Herman? Are any beardie diseases transmittable by air? Or would he be okay in the same room as long as I'm very good about cleaning/hand washing etc?

Any suggestions would be welcome! Please help!! If I do end up taking him, you can contact me if you are interested in taking him, I just don't know yet if I can afford to keep him if I get him.

I have the guy's phone number if anyone is interested, PM me and I'll give it to you (don't know how he feels about it being posted all over the internet).

"This is my beautiful Bearded Dragon named Speedy that I can no longer
take care of anymore because I am away at college. He has a little orange
color around his head and ears. He loves to be held after his meals. He is about
1' I had him for the past 4 years. He is in need of a loving home so please help
him out. Will ship."

Trevorton, PA

 

[Jiffy]

Oh, poor skinny beardie! I hope that you can get him temporarily, or that someone takes him out of that situation. I dont think that any of the diseaes they have are airborne, but I am definitely not positive. I know keep up with good hand washing, and not using anything for the one beardie that you use for the other. Keep us updated

 

[hermansmama]

So it's not just me, he is super skinny, right? I feel horrible for him! My b.f isn't too sure about bringing him home with baby Herman, but I think I have to if no one else live close enough to get him soon!

 

[beardieluv]

Oh, man =[ He is super skinny! He looks like he has some MBD to. If you have the time to commit to rehabbing him then i would def. do it! At least till someone else can get him from you. Just make sure to quarantine him for at least a month, if you even keep him that long. Wash your hand thoroughly before and after you handle him, don't cross contaminate ANYTHING that your other beardie uses, etc. PM one of the mods, they could help you out more with stuff to do to help him,. Also don't overload him with protein when you first get him. Go slow on the bugs.

 

[Jess]

Poor baby!
He doesnt look horribly sick to me at least- Just skinny, and maybe a little calcium deficiant since he is so small. If anything, he probably just has parasites. He is holding his head up and basking, so that is a good sign. Herman shouldnt be affected if you bring him home... Just wash your hands between handling each one, and dont share decorations or swap vivs with out a good cleaning.
I hope you can bring him home!

 

[hermansmama]

I think I'm probably going to try and get him, as long as the seller still has him this weekend--I'm just worried about vet bills and supplement/medicine costs Plus the fact I just got Herman and I'm worried I don't have the experience to deal with this new guy. I don't have a job right now, and my b.f is working 70 hours a week to pay rent and all the bills, so I'm not sure how long I could keep him depending on what health problems he has. Does any one know of a good herp vet in central P.A.? I know a lot of vets "see" reptiles, but if the little guy is so skinny, I want to make sure I know what I'm dealing with in regards to any other problems. Also, are you aware if vets allow payment plans over a time period?

 

[beardieluv]

It depends on your vet. Some will, some won't. I know my won't. They have a sign right in the front that says no payment plans available ha. I understand your situation though. Don't kill yourself trying to help him. If you can't, then you just can't. Maybe look around your area for an animal rehab center, spca kinda thing, etc. If you tell me the city/area you live in then i'll do a little research and see if i can link you to a place that could rehab him.

 

[hermansmama]

I live in Catawissa, PA....there's an SPCA near here in Danville, but I've heard some things about them....how the animals tend to disappear awfully quickly and supposedly go to another larger shelter...but really don't? So I don't know if I want to take him there, but if you can find anyone else, I'd be willing to drive him somewhere to get him a good home...thank you!

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Poor thing.

 

[hermansmama]

I'm getting very frustrated with this seller! He never called me back the other day, and I finally got a text from him that said he was away for the weekend and would call me Monday (today)...has not called, and I called and left a message once again.

 

[Jess]

Awww Hopefully you can still rescue him...

 

[spot102]

I would be willing to adopt him... I have 3 yr female and have a good herpetoculturist to take him too. He doesn't look to skinny since I was told Spot is fat but I would have him checked out for any health problems. I live in Pa in the Pittsburgh region and would be wiling to pay for any shipping. Do you have any history of Herman? Was he bought from a breeder or store?

 

[hermansmama]

His name is actually Speedy (Herman is my new baby beardie), and unfourtunetly, I don't know any of his history at the momeny--the seller just called me back last night, and said he is 5 years old, and about a foot long--and apparently his mother (who watches Speedy while the seller in in college) thinks he is sick, however the seller said it might be because he is shedding. He told me he is going home this weekend, and will look at him to see if he is really sick. I'm just concerned that he said he "just noticed" he might be sick, and it's actually been a long time that he's been sick? I tend to not trust people all that much...but anyways, he is going to call me again on Friday when he is at home, and he basically said I could have him for free, but he "feels bad" giving me a sick lizard, if he is in fact sick. I'm going to call him today I think and see what kind of lighting he was under, what he has been fed, and if he's ever been sick before, but the seller seemed like he just wanted to get rid of him. I'll keep you updated.

 

[Jess]

Keep us updated!
Maybe when his mom said that the beardie was sick, she just meant he looked really skinny? I mean, its obvious that he isnt in the best of shape.

 

[demonsmomma]

i feel so bad for this lil buddy. i mean max is gettig chubby but my vet told me if you can feel the tail bone at the base then your fine max only weighs 500 grams and is 20 inches long but this guy looks like skin and bones and like he is utterly exhausted i feel terrible for him