Black Foot

[vivi_ends013]

I just got my beardie yesterday. (I've named him/her Julien) and he/she is my first. I made sure to do my research and I thought I was prepared but after Julien had settled in a bit, I was taking a photo and realized there is something wrong with two of his/her feet. On his front right he is mearly missing a nail but on his back right foot his toes are half off. I REALLY don't want to return him, so any help would be greatly appreciated. (New to this site, I don't know how to post a picture. ) if its any help. He measures at almost 4 1/2 inches which means he's about two months (I think)

***update!! Thanks to CooperDragon, I now know how to upload photos.

Here is his back foot. It doesn't look as bad as it did. But I'm still worried. Also, he's not eating much. He's eaten 2 1/2 meal worms in two days and he has not touched his veggies or food pellets. AND if anyone has tips on how to bond with them that would be great too.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm sorry to hear Julien's feet aren't looking too good. I'll be glad to take a look at some photos. You can upload them here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and then post them to your thread using the XIMG button. I'm glad you don't want to return him. I'll do my best to help.

 

[vivi_ends013]

Thank you! Hope I've given enough info.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

You really should not be feeding mealworms. The low appetite could be relocation stress. If he was housed with other dragons, he may have had his toes bitten by amother dragon.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

He is quite small! He has likely been bitten by tank mates at the store or where you got him.
Try to keep the areas clean by using a diluted betadine daily, along with either a antibiotic ointment or raw & unpasteurized or manuka honey on the areas to help with infection.
Hopefully you can get it cleared up so he doesn't lose any more tissue.
If you would like to run over your tank set up with us to be sure everything is correct, we can help with that also.
Most times, it may take them at least a week or so just to settle in so he/she might not eat a whole lot. What other foods do you have to feed him in the way of insects?

Tracie

 

[vivi_ends013]

Hello,

He is quite small! He has likely been bitten by tank mates at the store or where you got him.
Try to keep the areas clean by using a diluted betadine daily, along with either a antibiotic ointment or raw & unpasteurized or manuka honey on the areas to help with infection.
Hopefully you can get it cleared up so he doesn't lose any more tissue.
If you would like to run over your tank set up with us to be sure everything is correct, we can help with that also.
Most times, it may take them at least a week or so just to settle in so he/she might not eat a whole lot. What other foods do you have to feed him in the way of insects?

Tracie

Thanks I will try and I've tried to get him to eat some lettuce and carrots (chopped small as possible of course) and I've put some of the food pellets in his food bowl.

Here is a picture of his habitat. He is the only beardie I have. In the photo he is in the top of his tree.

 

[vivi_ends013]

You really should not be feeding mealworms. The low appetite could be relocation stress. If he was housed with other dragons, he may have had his toes bitten by amother dragon.

What do you suggest I feed him then? I thought it was okay since that's what he was eating in the pet store.

 

[CooperDragon]

For bugs (which will be his primary diet for the first year or so) I suggest a combination of crickets, dubia roaches, Phoenix Worms (black soldier fly larvae), silk worms, and other bugs along those lines. For salads I'd recommend 2-3 items from this list depending on what you can get fresh at the store http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html Don't be discouraged if he favors bugs over salads for now though. As far as setup goes, I'd try to move your UVB light as close as you can to the basking light so he gets the benefit of a bright white light along with UVB (just like sunlight) in the basking area.

 

[vivi_ends013]

For bugs (which will be his primary diet for the first year or so) I suggest a combination of crickets, dubia roaches, Phoenix Worms (black soldier fly larvae), silk worms, and other bugs along those lines. For salads I'd recommend 2-3 items from this list depending on what you can get fresh at the store http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html Don't be discouraged if he favors bugs over salads for now though. As far as setup goes, I'd try to move your UVB light as close as you can to the basking light so he gets the benefit of a bright white light along with UVB (just like sunlight) in the basking area.

That helps a lot! I will update on his eating staus as soon as I can get the food. Thanks.

 

[vivi_ends013]

He is already eating more. Thanks for the food tips!

 

[CooperDragon]

That's great to hear. Please keep us posted on his foot and his progress.

 

[vivi_ends013]

That's great to hear. Please keep us posted on his foot and his progress.

I will. Speaking of which, I gave him a bath and it really brought out his colors. I've also noticed that he keeps "waving" at his reflection (I know that's a sign that he could possibly be a female) and I was wondering if I just need to get him a background or if its okay to keep letting him think there is another dragon nearby?

 

[CooperDragon]

I wouldn't worry about the waving unless it starts to stress him out. Arm waving isn't a big deal though. He will probably learn that the reflection isn't another dragon. Are you sure he is arm waving at the reflection and not at you? It doesn't necessarily mean he's female or male, it's just a submissive gesture as far as I know.

 

[vivi_ends013]

I wouldn't worry about the waving unless it starts to stress him out. Arm waving isn't a big deal though. He will probably learn that the reflection isn't another dragon. Are you sure he is arm waving at the reflection and not at you? It doesn't necessarily mean he's female or male, it's just a submissive gesture as far as I know.

Oh. Alright. And I'm pretty sure he was waving at his reflection because I walked to my room and he was waving at the side of his habitat.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great he is eating a little more today! Hopefully he is starting to settle in a bit for you.
They usually do love baths most of the time.
The arm waving means several things. They do love to wave especially when they are young.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie