Nathaniel, Cierra, Castiel, Freya, Grrl; RIP GABRIEL

We never expected to get another dragon, but our neighbours next door wanted to give away Cleo, as he was called. We'd babysat him before, he's such a sweetheart. We nicknamed him Velcro because when he snuggles he never wants to go back to his viv, he hangs on as if he's made out of velcro.

So here he is. Today was his first day with us. He ate 13 supers and ate some squash, not bad for the first day he was here. He's only in a 30 gallon tank, which will be ok for now. He's 18" long but weighs only 200g. We figure he's probably 2 yrs old. Our neighbours rescued him last fall, they found him and a female (which they named Puff) on Craig's list. They were in a 30 gallon dirty tank, with sand and a huge log that took up 1/2 the space in the tank. Leo was at the bottom, he was sooooo skinny. He's gained weight, but never got the attention he deserved. I took some pics today, but will take more tomorrow. I think he remembers our place as didn't get stressed as I expected. No stress marks at all. When we let him run around the living room, he noticed our girls and immediate black beard, so his hormones are working!

He had a bath this morning, had a big poop, no smell, so not worried about parasites.

So here are a few pics, he's a yellow & dark gray, light gray colour.

Under the communal power sun in the living room:

Discovering there are girls in those tanks up above, he has a great black beard for such a skinny boy:

On the couch, he's got a pretty diamond pattern on his back:

Hope you enjoy
Deb and my six dragons :shock: :shock: :shock: :love5:

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi Gina. I think those two would be good, too. So now just 3 more. Did you like the pic of Lonzo in the sunshine but it should be from the front, right? I'll try that again.

As for the geckos, Rocco was easy to catch but Bunny took awhile & Bunny was all my fault. Just glad I found her. Rocco tends to try to get away when I'm spraying his tank. We're still having summer weather (yes, I know, in the fall no less!) so both their tanks have to be sprayed twice a day if possible. But he's easy to catch & get back inside. He also doesn't mind being on my hand because I'm so warm!

Didi's mouth isn't doing well at all, and it's been over a year since the abcess. My vet & I have tried every type of cream, gel, you name it, so I've ordered some Manuka honey from Tracie to see if that will work some. It's sort of healed but he scratches at it with his back leg & it opens the wound again. So we'll see what happens with that. What I don't like is there's something bugging his eye, so that's why the vet visit.

As for Lonzo, he doesn't do any better in an upward position than on flat out. His problem is neurological, it's like Parkinson's in a beardie. I'm just now worried because he's always eaten his worms when I feed him, now he spits them all out. So he's now getting skinny, which isn't good for him. So that's why he's back to the vet. He's got this yellowish stuff that's growing on his beard, too, not sure what it is. So that has to be checked, too. And his fecal needs to be done to make sure he's clear on worms. I'm getting the rest done, too. I wanted to send it to a friend of mine in the States, but don't want to bother with the border, so I'll get it done at the vet on Saturday. I'm just hoping that everyone is clear.

Isn't Rocco cute in that pictures, though? You wouldn't know he's already 6 years old!

 

[diamc]

Hi Deb, glad to hear that you found Bunny & caught Rocco. They sure try to keep you on your toes, huh? That picture of you holding Rocco is just the sweetest, looks like he's smiling.

So sorry to hear about Lonzo's continual health problems, poor thing. Does he appear to have lost weight? How does he do with getting around? Your heart must stop every time he stops breathing. You have become quite the expert at getting him breathing again but I know that has to be so scary for you.

Hope they can all make out ok at the vets on Saturday and that the honey helps Didi's mouth.

Loved the pictures of them. I agree with Gina about #2 for Gabriel and #2 for Digi.

 

[Goonie]

If Lonzo had looked up at you in the first photo, that would've been a precious shot.

Too bad we can't put bandaids on them to keep them from opening up healing wounds.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I'll try to get the same shot of Lonzo but looking up instead.

Hi Diane, it's heart wrenching when I see how badly Lonzo has gone down hill in the last few months. He doesn't get around well at all, he pushes himself around as now his back legs aren't working well either. I think it's the lack of air from only having one lung & just getting old. So he gets special treatment, he's in the sun most of the morning and when I go to work he's back in his tank where he feels most comfortable. He did take off after Puff today, which was a good thing to see, but it took it out of him just moving the foot 1/2 that he did. So he got lots of snuggles today and he really loved it. I'll do this every weekend and I'm going to spend more time at home. I'll let you know about the vet visit next weekend, too. I have a very busy Saturday, so probably that night before I get to post.

I'll get more pictures up, too, and get better shots of them all. I like the pic#2 for Gabriel, too, but I want the other side of Didi's face for the final shots. I'll do that next weekend & post them all.

Puff was the one who was out the most today. She loves being on the balcony, even more than Didi does. She found the old tank she came to me in, I'd put it on it's end, so she got in there and basked all afternoon until the sun disappeared off the balcony at about 3p, then I put her back in her tank. It's very warm here, summer warm, but cools off much quicker than August, so once the sun is off the balcony, whoever is out there comes in.

 

[zandi202]

I'm sorry to hear about Lonzo and my little diva, Didi. Unfortunately, the old age gets tough for everyone. I can't imagine what you and them both must be going through. 2014 seems to be another difficult year. I'm still waiting for the year where we all get cut a little slack.

Maybe you should get Didi the cone of shame so he can't scratch open his wounds. That'd be a funny image. I hope whatever is bugging his eye is a quick fix, at least quicker than whatever is going on with his mouth.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi Liz, that's a good idea, I'll find out from the vet if what's in his eye is from a scratch and if it is, I might just make him a little cone so he stops doing it. Now that would be a picture to post :lol: Don't think he'd like it much, though.

 

[Goonie]

Maybe you should get Didi the cone of shame so he can't scratch open his wounds. That'd be a funny image.

That is a great idea! Why can't beardies also wear the cone of shame to protect themselves. It would definitely make for a funny photo.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I'll definitely look into it :lol:

 

[sweetiepie9]

Well good news, Lonzo ate all his worms this morning like a champ. I was so proud of him.

Then Puff ate all the roaches I offered her, too, so I'm hopeful she doesn't have any eggs. She's not showing any signs, just the low bobbing, so because she was such a good girl, she's got the day out today, instead of Gabriel. As a result, Gabriel is pouting in his tank :lol: He's such a brat, love him to bits :mrgreen:

Didi ate all his roaches today, too, and so did Leo. Gabriel at his worms, so it was a successful day. Didi is starting to slow down and so is Leo, but they're still eating & pooping, hoping to get good samples for Saturday.

 

[babyheartthrob]

Hehehe the cone of shame. I would love to see diva Didi with the cone, I can only imagine the dirty look you'd get for it :lol:

Deb, I'm so glad that Lonzo ate his worms today (and everyone else too ). Poor Gabriel pouting in his tank, but I bet that Puff loves being out and abouth .

Hoping everything goes ok at the vets for Lonzo and that the others give you good samples (only we would be happy to get poop :lol.

Well I've got photos uploading (I hope) so I should be posting baby pics either today or tomorrow (I'm only taking 30 mins lunch today and that's almost up :?). But I may be able to sneak on later and get them on 8).

Sabrina

 

[Goonie]

That's wonderful news that Lonzo ate worms today! I'm so happy for you, and him.

Gabriel sure knows how to make himself seem pitiful, huh? I know what it's like to have a pouty beardie, because MoMo pouts a lot when she doesn't get what she wants.

Here's praying that Puff is all done with eggs this year.

 

[diamc]

What a good boy Lonzo was eating all of his worms. That must have been great to see! Bet he was proud of himself too which he has every right to be.

Wow, Puff ate all of her roaches too, awesome. Hopefully that does mean that she isn't making anymore eggs. Bet Gabriel was pouting big time. He needs to learn to share the ramp but sounds like he doesn't want to share HIS ramp. :lol:

They all ate well today, that is such great news. A good day all the way around. Hope they all give you good samples for Saturday, they should after eating so well.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Well, here's to good samples Fri and Sat for the lot of them!

Gina and Diane, I'm very glad Lonzo's eating again, he needs to keep his weight up.

And yes, Sabrina, I'm seriously thinking of the cone for Didi, even if I just make one for fun one day, I'll take a pic & post it :lol:

None of my other beardies pout because they're not out, only Gabriel & he looks like he's dying each time :roll: I'm used to ignoring him, though, instead I laugh at him...

I'll be checking your thread for those baby pics, Sabrina, can't wait to see the little boogers

I was able to look at pics of Rubio today without crying, so I'll finally get his memorial done in the next couple of weeks.

A friend of mine from work has an 8 yr old daughter, who has fallen in love with bearded dragons. So Dana sent me a PM through Facebook asking if I could help her & her daughter learn more about them. I told her about the care sheet on here & they're coming over on Sunday to check out my crew & listen to what a beardie needs to have a healthy, happy life. It's nice to know that she thought of me as an expert & contacted me right away. Glad to see a parent taking her child's wishes seriously but making sure that they're both knowledgeable about them before getting one! I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Pretty exciting stuff for me, as I never have people over because of the dragons. It's nice to have someone over because of the dragons :lol:

 

[Goonie]

:laughhard: I'm cracking up over your comment of how Gabriel looks like he's dying each time he pouts. I can just imagine how pathetic he looks.

Thank goodness that Dana decided to talk to you about beardies before getting one for her daughter. And yes, that's a very responsible parent.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I found this on a group where I'm an admin on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/298278916927577/permalink/686919588063506/

I had no idea a bearded dragon could run on it's back legs!