New owner!

[Spike&kam]

Hello! I am a new owner to my beardie Spike. He was given to me by my nephews friend who was unable to care for him any longer! He was in his tank with a female dragon (who had a broken jaw) thier tank for was poorly cared for so I’m assuming they were as well!!
I noticed his tongue is always sticking out a little and he seems to be skinner than most dragons I see! Any advice on getting him healthy again!? I’ve given him a few super worms, and crickets. He gets fresh greens daily, but I never seen him drink water!!! He also hasn’t pooped since Saturday!! Is that normal?

 

[xp29]

Hello! I am a new owner to my beardie Spike. He was given to me by my nephews friend who was unable to care for him any longer! He was in his tank with a female dragon (who had a broken jaw) thier tank for was poorly cared for so I’m assuming they were as well!!
I noticed his tongue is always sticking out a little and he seems to be skinner than most dragons I see! Any advice on getting him healthy again!? I’ve given him a few super worms, and crickets. He gets fresh greens daily, but I never seen him drink water!!! He also hasn’t pooped since Saturday!! Is that normal?

He don't look well. If he is emaciated go slow on the bugs at first. Offer him all the greens he wants. Collard, mustard, turnip, and dandelion are good staples. Hydrate him. I don't recommend using a syringe, it's hard to control and you could cause him to aspirate. I do recommend an eyedropper, preferably plastic. Just drip it on his snout, he should start lapping it up. Go slow and at his pace. If he is trying to gulp it down be sure to give him a second to catch his breath. If he won't take the water you can add in some none citrus fruit juice or punch to give it flavor. Be sure to use a wet cloth to wipe away any that runs down his chin. No need to take a chance on causing bacteria or fungus to start in his scales.
I would also recommend starting with soft bodied bugs hornworms (are good for hydration) silkworms (are a good staple if you can get them) even crickets (don't leave them loose in his habitat, they bite) bugs like superworms and dubias can be added in later.
Give him calcium (bugs dusted in it) daily. Give multivitamins one to twice per week.
Uvb needs to be long tube. The screw in type are completely inadequate for a beardie. Basking should be 95 to 100 degrees. NO COLORED BULBS OF ANY KIND. If he need extra heat at night use a heat emitter.
Also I recommend collecting a poop sample to drop off at a vet for a fecal float test. Should be less than 100 dollars, don't over pay. Some vets will try to over charge. Do not ever let them do an enema to get a poop sample, theres a good chance they will kill him if they do.
The tongue is kindda normal, and adults sometime go for a couple weeks in between poops.

What came of the little girl if I might ask. I hope she got a new home or was surrendered to someone that will care for her also.

 

[Spike&kam]

He don't look well. If he is emaciated go slow on the bugs at first. Offer him all the greens he wants. Collard, mustard, turnip, and dandelion are good staples. Hydrate him. I don't recommend using a syringe, it's hard to control and you could cause him to aspirate. I do recommend an eyedropper, preferably plastic. Just drip it on his snout, he should start lapping it up. Go slow and at his pace. If he is trying to gulp it down be sure to give him a second to catch his breath. If he won't take the water you can add in some none citrus fruit juice or punch to give it flavor. Be sure to use a wet cloth to wipe away any that runs down his chin. No need to take a chance on causing bacteria or fungus to start in his scales.
I would also recommend starting with soft bodied bugs hornworms (are good for hydration) silkworms (are a good staple if you can get them) even crickets (don't leave them loose in his habitat, they bite) bugs like superworms and dubias can be added in later.
Give him calcium (bugs dusted in it) daily. Give multivitamins one to twice per week.
Uvb needs to be long tube. The screw in type are completely inadequate for a beardie. Basking should be 95 to 100 degrees. NO COLORED BULBS OF ANY KIND. If he need extra heat at night use a heat emitter.
Also I recommend collecting a poop sample to drop off at a vet for a fecal float test. Should be less than 100 dollars, don't over pay. Some vets will try to over charge. Do not ever let them do an enema to get a poop sample, theres a good chance they will kill him if they do.
The tongue is kindda normal, and adults sometime go for a couple weeks in between poops.

What came of the little girl if I might ask. I hope she got a new home or was surrendered to someone that will care for her also.

Thank you for the reply! I will go today to get the proper lighting, and an eye dropper! I have been dusting calcium on everything he eats but he doesn’t eat the greens as willingly as he does the live feed! I’ll be sure to collect the poop when he passes one! Good to know that it’s normal he hasn’t pooped, I was feeling worried for him!! Hopefully I can get him back healthy!

My nephew took the girl, he’s more experienced so he was better fit to nurse her back to health! Lucky she was given good treatment at a vet, not cheap though!!

They are beautiful creatures

 

[xp29]

Thank you for the reply! I will go today to get the proper lighting, and an eye dropper! I have been dusting calcium on everything he eats but he doesn’t eat the greens as willingly as he does the live feed! I’ll be sure to collect the poop when he passes one! Good to know that it’s normal he hasn’t pooped, I was feeling worried for him!! Hopefully I can get him back healthy!

My nephew took the girl, he’s more experienced so he was better fit to nurse her back to health! Lucky she was given good treatment at a vet, not cheap though!!

They are beautiful creatures

Good deal.
I forgot to mention, welcome to the forum .
There is a lot of good, knowledgeable, and helpful folks here. Don't hesitate to ask about anything at all. Someone here can usually help with any questions you might have

 

[Spike&kam]

Good deal.
I forgot to mention, welcome to the forum .
There is a lot of good, knowledgeable, and helpful folks here. Don't hesitate to ask about anything at all. Someone here can usually help with any questions you might have

Is there a way for me to tell how old he would be ? Do he look full grown? I was given no history on him! I don’t even know how long the previous owner had him.

 

[KarrieRee]

Is there a way for me to tell how old he would be ? Do he look full grown? I was given no history on him! I don’t even know how long the previous owner had him.

Ask the previous owner if he was the one who bought him and where - if they bought him from a pet store he was probably around 8 weeks I am guessing - other than that we wont really be able to tell because of the improper care - it has more than likely stunted his growth

 

[Spike&kam]

Ask the previous owner if he was the one who bought him and where - if they bought him from a pet store he was probably around 8 weeks I am guessing - other than that we wont really be able to tell because of the improper care - it has more than likely stunted his growth

Okay, thank you!! I’m so glad I found this site!!
I found an extra eye dropper I had at home! I was able to get him to drink some water!! Hopefully I can get him to drink some more soon! Thanks for the help

 

[xp29]

Okay, thank you!! I’m so glad I found this site!!
I found an extra eye dropper I had at home! I was able to get him to drink some water!! Hopefully I can get him to drink some more soon! Thanks for the help

That's terrific
That is the best way to ensure they stay hydrated. Hydration is far more important than a lot of site will tell you.