NEGLECT ADVICE URGENT

[LanaAlexa]

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[CooperDragon]

That's certainly a rough situation. I wouldn't advise taking the dragon because legally they are seen as property, unfortunately. If your local humane society has a law enforcement branch they may be able to help but that's probably an extreme choice too.

It's tough to balance the needs of the dragon with your family dynamic. I would keep offering information about proper care. If you can, try buying a nice T5 UVB light (which should last for quite a long time, they're cheaper in the long run) and offer it for the dragon. Offer some veges or some nutritious food. Offer to adjust the lighting using a dimmer or adjustable lamp stand. If you can invest a little bit in equipment and just make it appear then it may be more likely to go to good use.

 

[LanaAlexa]

I'm just really worried for him. So worried it's 2.45am in the UK and I can't sleep because of it!

I would but I quit my job several months ago due to health concerns and I have no income. So it's costly enough having to care for my ravenous pair, though I do admit they are spoiled ?

I genuinely want to help this Dragon, when I held him I was emphasizing to her how cold and skinny he was but all she said was "compared to your fatties!" Even though mine are perfectly healthy!
She just won't listen.
She doesn't even listen to mum when shes constantly told her for YEARS that she and her house reek of dirty cat litter! ?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That's too bad, I hate to hear that.
Is there any way you can confiscate him since she obviously doesn't care about him? He deserves a better home than what he is in, absolutely.
If you are unable to help with supplies, etc, calling the RSPCA is a good idea, they would take him & rehome him. I completely understand about causing dissension, but if you don't get along now it probably would make a lot of difference.
Sorry you are in the middle of this horrible situation. Unfortunately, it's always the animal that suffers more.
Let us know how things are going.

Tracie

 

[dragonlux]

Not good But great that you want to help the bearded dragon!

I try to make a quick how-to list from my experiences.. things are already said here but this is what I understand from a few weeks information gathering (thanks forum).

-Enclosure
120x50x50 cm < ideal size with enough ventilation for a adult.

-Heat (basking spot)
Halogen basking lamp (clear bright white no color)+ ceramic fixture!! and cable< 5-10$ In Hardware store.

-UVB+fixture (Good one)
Get a good tube no coil !! UVB lamp aprox the length of your enclosure arcadia/reptisun- 40-60$.

-Substrate
No sand or loose substrate (impaction) Just get (news)paper or Vinyl <looks nice + hygieine 0-10$

-Food
1 x a day. a adult bearded dragon eats 70-80% vegtables. variate with the food and dust it sometimes with calcium powder. also vitamines (look on the forum for caresheet) I got flowerpower that is dried herbs and they really like it (It looks really healty)

Food additives.
Really important calcium powder and vitames!

To check enviorement
One of those laser thermometers maybe check china they seem allot cheaper + good reviews. 10$
Hygrometer to get the humidity 5$
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The approx total will be 60$-115$.

-additional info I collected
***If he gets MDB Get him as much sunlight as posible + the calcium+d3 powder + good food. even in the shadow there is more UV-B then one of those TL lamps. (make sure its not to cold you could use a colored plastic box for more heat and monitor the temp!!)
*Bath arround 33celcius 2-3x a week for hydration and it helps shedding + hygine. (DRY GOOD)
*When he poops clean it to prevent parasites.
*You can put a drop of water on its nose if hes dehydrated (yellow part in the poop = dyhydration)
*Make a hot side ~40celcius and a coldside 20-23 Celcius and give them a basking stone or log.
*Note research the distance for your lamps + make sure he cant burn on halogen lamp.
*Keep humidity down and remove remaining food (Fungus is really dangerous!!)
*Feed in another container so the crickets wont keep him awake at night or eat his toes .
*check on the forum there are certain types of worms that are like a medicine so healthy for them.
*When he sheds dont try to takeoff the skin because it can damage the scales.
*Be really carefull outside! they can get scared out of nowhere and run in tree (get harnass).
*They dont like quick movements and stuff from above.
*Be carefull handeling them you dont want broken bones.
*Check your dragon for wounds and skin that wont shed can cut off blood causing necrosis < bad


If you take him from her. I can tell you it seems like a lot of stuff to get and to sort out but they are really cool. I have allot of setbacks since I got them but Its still worth all the effort.
I hope my info if any good if not ignore.

Goodluck!

 

[kingofnobbys]

My much older sister has a bearded dragon, just over a year old from the same clutch as mine.
I'm severely worried as her last Dragon died prematurely of MBD as she didn't use a UVB or heat lamp, let alone feeding it enough live food. This was before I owned beardies and knew how they should be cared for.
ANYWAY.
I've seen her Dragon once, last week. and by what I've seen it's severely underweight, aggressive and doesn't look at all healthy.
I don't know what to do, I've told her several times she NEEDS to give him at least 10hrs of uvb and heat a day, and should be providing calcium etc.
She says she doesn't even know how old her uvb is and doesn't even own a heat lamp, just a normal lightbulb.
Her excuse is it's too expensive!
She doesn't leave the lights on when she's at work so he probably gets about 3hrs of "light" a day.
(She's an animal hoarder and she focuses all of her attention on the cats instead. Funny thing is, she's all about rescuing animals and makes sure everything she buys is cruelty free!)

I really need some help, I'm even considering taking him when she's at work, or phoning the RSPCA. The problem with this is she's an incredibly hostile person, and we've never really got on and this would only add to the tension, and probably make my mother/grandmother pissed at me too!

<<< good luck with the RSPCA , my limited experience of them is that if it doesn't have fur, a wet nose unless it's a horse or a goat or a cow or a sheep or a bird , they don't give a damb.

<<< offer to buy the poor thing complete with it's viv off her , if she is too stupid and pigheaded to listen and actually change her ways.

see pm I just sent to you.

 

[dragonlux]

Maybe you can try to talk with her and explain why they need all this care.
If she doesnt care... tell her to give him to you and warn that this one will end up like the previous one she had.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Maybe you can try to talk with her and explain why they need all this care.
If she doesnt care... tell her to give him to you and warn that this one will end up like the previous one she had.

I think that will be waste of time and breath.... some people simply should never be allowed to keep pets of any kind and she's one of them.

 

[Picklepies]

I'm sorry this is happening I had a similar situation with my sister who had beardies from the same clutch as mime. They had no light or uvb and tiny cages,and she wouldn't listen to advice because she had no money and didn't want to think she was doing the dragons harm.

Tbh I ended up buying her all the equipment she needed and still go round weekly to check on them,and they're doing a lot better now

The lack of job sucks, and I hope you're not struggling too much financially! Could you ask other family members to give equipment as early birthday presents or Christmas etc, so she gets the equipment but doesn't resent it? (Something my sister still does!)

It's a rubbish situation to be in,and I'm really sorry it's happening xx

 

[LanaAlexa]

Thanks for all of the lovely replies!

She simply doesn't listen, it would be an idea to try and supply her with lights etc but he still wouldn't get the care he needs.
His viv is on the floor under a window, which has random crap piled on top. So he doesn't even get any natural light/heat!
She even brags saying things like "oh he's been such a greedy boy today he ate three crickets!"

It's really stressing me out because I adore my babies and knowing hers is being neglected is breaking my heart! ?

 

[Picklepies]

I'm sorry do you think she might relinquish him willingly, even if just to reduce outgoing costs? (More money for cats?) Xx

 

[LanaAlexa]

I doubt it..
She's always complaining about having no money and she often has to take food from mum in order to eat.
My mum and grandmother are constantly giving her money which she never pays back.
But when she has money she spends it on mindless crap and cat things, so I really doubt she would spend anything on her Dragon.

It makes me so angry! X

 

[Picklepies]

I get being angry, it seems like an impossible situation, I'm so sorry it's one you're in xx

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

This is really quite a predicament and I truly doubt this will ever end in a win/win situation.

I agree that she clearly sees nothing wrong with what is going on, so trying to explain it to her or provide it for her won't change anything. I'd be concerned if you were to have the means to provide her the proper equipment it would go unused or she'd sell it for money, not that I know her at all to claim that.

I would personally call someone, police or RSPCA. If she is a hoarder (I'm unsure to what degree) you could call anonymously with a complaint of her animals or a smell, and maybe mention something about a near death reptile you saw at the house.

The only other option I see is to ask to take him, or offer to buy him. I know you're not in the financial position to not only buy it from her nor to take care of it, but you could surrender or rehome him right after if you wish.

 

[LanaAlexa]

Hoarder as in she has 5 cats, fish, a Dragon and she wants a dog now too because she wants to "save them"
She is the definition of a crazy cat lady and her house absaloutley stinks of cat litter/ammonia.

The smell thing could work, She would probably suspect the neighbours. (She's already not fond of them because they shouted at one of her precious cats once..)

I definitely would manage to care for him if he was at my house. I have a large custom made viv which I could section.

It's just getting the Dragon which is the hard part ?