HELP! Zeus is going down hill and fast!

[Monkey]

just wanted to say that you were godsent for this poor little beardie.
I hope he keeps perking up, I am sure he's happy about where's now!!
keep us posted!

 

[hcozart]

Zeus was placed in his cage last night in the middle of the cool side and basking area. Woke this morning, he was in the same position as placed in. Turned lights on, no movement, 20 mins later, no movement, and he felt cool to the touch. I had to placed him in basking area. Worried that he does not want to try and thermo-regulate on his own. Could it be that he was so worn out from yesterday's activites? Bonnie seemed to think that he got no stimulation at all from previous owners. Every time you introduce a new "stimulus" to him he shakes his head in what she thought was a mini seizure. I have to work today, so I can not keep a constant eye on him . Will check back today at lunch and see where he is in the cage.

Anyone else have a dragon that just didnt seem right, and you had no idea why?

 

[hcozart]

Here is Zeus in his cage, basking side after I moved him there. Man this is hard, I did not have this much trouble with bringing my children home from the hospital! LOL

 

[Nasubi77]

Zeus was placed in his cage last night in the middle of the cool side and basking area. Woke this morning, he was in the same position as placed in. Turned lights on, no movement, 20 mins later, no movement, and he felt cool to the touch. I had to placed him in basking area. Worried that he does not want to try and thermo-regulate on his own. Could it be that he was so worn out from yesterday's activites? Bonnie seemed to think that he got no stimulation at all from previous owners. Every time you introduce a new "stimulus" to him he shakes his head in what she thought was a mini seizure. I have to work today, so I can not keep a constant eye on him . Will check back today at lunch and see where he is in the cage.

Anyone else have a dragon that just didnt seem right, and you had no idea why?

It takes a lot of time for a dragon to rebound from neglectful treatment like he has had. Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back. Just be persistent in the great care you are giving him.

I would give him a bath every day, be sure to give him calcium every day. A good liquid calcium is easier to feed him and easier for his body to process than a powder. Limit his live feeders unless you have phoenix worms or some other soft bodied worm. The supers might be rough on him if he is not used to eating much. The chicken/squash babyfood might be best for now until he gets more active. Just leave him some veggies every day and he might surprise you one day soon on those. I like to shred my squash so that it looks like worms so that might entice him to eat the veggies.

Be sure to pick up a good digital therm like the Acurite Diane mentioned (only $12 at Wal Mart), so you can accurately measure the basking spot and cool side all at the same time.

Whatever you do, don't give up hope. We've seen dragons in way worse shape than this come back to health, and so can Zeus. Best of luck, my friend.

 

[kimmie]

Just want to add my prayers for Zeus! You are a great person to take this on and just pray for his recovery!

This just makes me want to B*(^& slap the prior owner for NOT taking care of him.

 

[ziggy23]

I'm glad he's perking up. Even a little that's a good sign.

Sometimes my dragons have lazy mornings. So I would try and not be worried about that all day. It could be normal. It could be that he just hasn't woken up fully yet. It could be he wore himself out yesterday. But I admit I'd be nervous about everything too.

Nursing a neglected animal back to health is a time consuming process. It takes a few months minimum. but hopefully he'll only be critical for a few weeks max.

IMO with animals in such a poor state, you should spoil them rotten. Get them eating, let them get their strength back, clean up any mess later if necessary.

 

[hcozart]

Zeuss update. He moved himself to cool side of cage during day.

Got home at 4:30pm tonight, feed greenbeabns/chicken baby food, one super worm and three baby crickets. Then off to the bath for about 10 mins. Started to poop, just white stuff, then stopped. Got out of bath and started running around on the floor exploring. He is very active tonight and doing better.

Got a prob temp gauge. Well spot light 150 bask bulb, got to 107.8. Took it out, now have two 100 watt GE Reval bulbs, temp dropped back down to 93. Now what one too hot, other options too cold. Godess, this is rediculous! LOL

Here is an updated photo.

 

[LeePerryAR]

Looks much more lively! That is great to see!

 

[MALIBUSMOM]

I use a 40watt house bulb and a 100watt house bulb and reptisun 10.0
heres a pic when i was using megaray.Now i have 100 watt housebulb in black dome 40watt housebulb in silver dome w/ 48in repti sun going across.
Remember you can raise or lower basking spot,prop it up if its too cool....lower it if its too hot.
You are doing an awsum job...welcome to beardie bootcamp....you are becoming a fine beardie slave......its all worth the love you get back...have you tried the beardie burrito?They get addicted to it beware......when its time for bed you wrap them in a little fleece and lay down give your self a rest w/ the beardie wrapped in the fleece on your chest.Cuddle time..they love it.Also
they like to be talked to..yes they are like children.

malibus viv is 75gal....so just play around w/ your lights till you get the right temps.
depending on the temp in your house.
Again....Great job!
White poop(urates) are good that means he is getting hydrated keep up w/ the soaks...even twice a day will not hurt.

 

[hcozart]

He is doing really well, spent the hour before bed time last night on hubby's chest wrapped in a blanket. He has quickly became the love of the house for me, hubby and two children. He has also started to respond to my voice. He tried to find me last night after I left the room for moment. Hubby said "he heard you in the other room, and took off in that direction." LOL. We would in the future like to find him a girlfriend. Just for stimulation ( no babies). Would love to find another adult female looking for a good home. Sister's beardie (female) three hours away is coming to visit next week.

Thanks for the support, and the well wishes!

 

[Nasubi77]

I hope you plan to house any new beardie in a separate enclosure, out of sight of Zeus. Adding a dragon to his enclosure would be a source of stress to both and could cause a relapse in him. Even if they are in their own enclosures but can see each other, that could stress them both out as well. He would only want to mate with her, and would be frustrated all the time if he could see her and not get to her. The only stimulation he needs is you and he'll be healthier and happier being the only child.

 

[hcozart]

Completely sep, and different rooms is the plan for sure.

 

[Nasubi77]

Completely sep, and different rooms is the plan for sure.

Whew, okay then.

 

[MALIBUSMOM]

How is Zeus dong??

 

[hcozart]

Doing better, he refuses to eat veggies for the most part. Got him to try yellow squash ( alittle) today. He seems really grouchy today though, and I noticed his back leg twitching every once in a while. We are still doing daily baths, superworms, butter worms, and phoenix, a little baby food greenbeans. However he does not like to be feed the babyfood in the dropper anymore. Tries to take off running. We also take him outside daily. Got a probe temp, they are right on 103 bask and 86 cool side.

Husband is a little concerned with him still having so much black on his beard and body, and the change in mood today. Here is the most recent picture, when we were tring to convince him to eat the veggie. Not sure because he is not eating veggies exactly how many worms to allow him. He is about 1lb. in size.
Monday Night:

This was last night, notice how much darker he is in this one?