Rescued beardie - Major concerns

[MelissaM]

Hello, I'm in need of some experienced advise about a rescued beardie I took in last night.
It's been 20ish years since I've had one and while I have a little knowledge in raising these beautiful creatures, I worry about our new family member, Tyler.

To run things down:
Beardie approximately 8mo old.
Rescued from my teenage stepson, who's mother gave as a gift in May 2014-from Petsmart as a tiny baby.
Tank is an eco(something) 40 gal kit
Looks like he was using all the lighting that came in the kit minus the coil UVB. Replaced with a 20" tube UVB & hood.
Substrate, reptile carpet
Diet has been eating crickets, super worms, cucumber, pinkies, butternut squash, & a variet of green lettuces.

So my concerns are:
Every time I have seen his viv when visiting him, the tank was filthy dirty with feces and old food. He arrived last night and the cage smelled so bad. The carpet was littered with filth.

I know SS wasn't feeding Tyler regularly. I'm guessing every 3rd or 4th day. (He would call me when he needed food, his mom didn't want to be bothered) Bathing probably non-existent.

The lighting situation worries me. I know he has had some lighting, but not adequate. The UVB was sitting on the metal screen. For the longest in the beginning, SS would either leave the lights on all the time or the opposite. I finally got him a timer & the hood/tube UVB (that was in late July). However he had that sitting on the screen instead of inside.

I repeatedly warned SS that he was pretty much neglecting Tyler and not providing him the love and care he deserved. So after a late night call for food, I instead picked Tyler up (can I go to jail for BDnapping?). I couldn't watch this go on a minute more.

I have stripped his tank of everything. Wiped down what I could for the night and will do a deep clean on tank in the morning. I noticed his poops were fairly solid with a large amount of white stuff (can't think of the technical name of that).

Where do I begin health wise to get this guy back on track? I know I need to get some weight on him, but should I start some kind of probotics? Really concerned about the feces he's been subjected to living in and what that has probably infected him with.

The lighting... should I be overly worried about the inadequate UVB for his entire life? Is it a "some is better than none" situation? I obviously fully indeed to get him a livable viv, but that won't be an overnight fix (with my schedule, it might be the end of the week before I can get into the city).

I didn't want to stress him anymore tonight than needed. I semi cleaned the cage. Soaked him for a good 30 mins. Warmed him up with a blanket and cuddles. Handfed some super worms (7 was all he was interested in) and a few slivers of cucumber. Let him bask for 20 mins afterwards, then turned the lights out. He's currently snuggled in his tank which I knew was cool, so I have a smaller heater running in the room.

I cant even comment on the heating. Theres a dial stick on. There's no telling..

Overall he seems ok. Alert but not like what I'm use to with my previous years of having a BD. A little on the skittish side, but I prepared for worse. His head is in preshed condition. No obvious sores or injuries.

Any help would greatly be appreciated. TIA
Melissa

 

[AHBD]

Hi Melissa....pictures would be very helpful. To post them here you can upload to a site like Photobucket, then copy/paste the img here. Even if he's a bit thin that's not a major concern, especially since he has an appetite. Are there any signs of MBD [ metabolic bone disease ] at all ? Any lumps on his spine or tail, and does he seem to move his feet properly ? It sounds like his urates [ white part of the poo ] indicate proper hydration, unless they are hard like chalk. He's probably going to be O.K if there's no obvious deformity + no walking problems. One thing to avoid is feeding him late, 7 superworms was way too much for him to only bask for 20 minutes.....he would need at least 2 solid hours, preferably 3. Bathing should be done earlier in the day and then Tyler should be patted dry and put back in the tank. A towel can't warm up a cold blooded animal. He may get sick + vomit today [ just a possibility ] from the late night feeding, so don't be shocked if he does, or he may refuse to eat. Hopefully he'll just be fine and continue to improve now that he's in a caring home. I hope he does well for you ! People here will help with your concerns.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Melissa....pictures would be very helpful. To post them here you can upload to a site like Photobucket, then copy/paste the img here. Even if he's a bit thin that's not a major concern, especially since he has an appetite. Are there any signs of MBD [ metabolic bone disease ] at all ? Any lumps on his spine or tail, and does he seem to move his feet properly ? It sounds like his urates [ white part of the poo ] indicate proper hydration, unless they are hard like chalk. He's probably going to be O.K if there's no obvious deformity + no walking problems. One thing to avoid is feeding him late, 7 superworms was way too much for him to only bask for 20 minutes.....he would need at least 2 solid hours, preferably 3. Bathing should be done earlier in the day and then Tyler should be patted dry and put back in the tank. A towel can't warm up a cold blooded animal. He may get sick + vomit today [ just a possibility ] from the late night feeding, so don't be shocked if he does, or he may refuse to eat. Hopefully he'll just be fine and continue to improve now that he's in a caring home. I hope he does well for you ! People here will help with your concerns.

Thanks for your response. I'll try to get a photo posted in a little bit.

He doesn't appear to have any bumps or deformities on his back or legs. Is walking just fine that I was able to notice briefly when he was awake last night. So that's what I need to be worried about if he didn't have proper lighting? MBD?

As far as his bathing, feds, etc before putting him to bed is a practice I don't plan to continue. It was literally midnight when I picked him up. I didn't know when the last (truthful) time he had bad a bath or had eaten, so just wanted to be sure I wasn't letting him starve or dehydrate any more.
Today I will work to get him on a routine, as best I can depending on his mood.

What about being in the filthy cage for all this time? His poops will let know if there's anything weird (hopefully not) brewing in his tummy?

 

[AHBD]

At some point it would be good to take a fresh fecal sample to a vet, but let him settle in and get on a good feeding schedule and get used to his new home for a few weeks. And be sure to be vigilant as to washing your hands after handling him or anything in the tank.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Melissa,

I replied on your other thread discussing the UVB light, etc & moved it to the Enclosures section.
How is Tyler doing today?
I am glad to hear that he doesn't appear to have Metabolic bone disease & walks normally, too.
I agree, you can give it a little more time before getting a fecal. Stress automatically elevates their levels.
I am sure he will be much happier with you & is grateful for a cleaner home, too. He looks good, overall, from the pictures you posted in your other thread.
At least he did eat & he will likely pick up on his appetite soon, once he is settled in & feeling better.

Tracie