Rhaegal's Story

[ArchimedesBane]

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=192075

I made my first post about my new baby in the ER, because I honestly wasn't sure if she'd survive the first night. Her last owner meant well, but almost everything about his husbandry was wrong-- I don't even think he had lamps for Rhaegal, as he handed me three broken ones. I had to keep Rhaegal at work with me the first night because he forgot to give us the screen lid for her tank. I honestly don't think he knew the first thing about reptile care, because Rhaegal was severely dehydrated and had no appetite when I first brought her into my care. She didn't move the entire evening we spent at work, her breathing labored and shallow. I didn't think I'd have a dragon at the end of the shift. When we got home, I misted her to help with her stuck shed, and she became so eager that she tried to drink the water from the nozzle of the mister. I set her in front of her water bowl and she drank for several minutes. It was cute, but heartbreaking at the same time. How could anyone let an animal get that thirsty?

She's malnourished and showing slight signs of MBD, but with enough calcium and vitamin supplements it shouldn't get any worse. After a night under a UVB to make up for all the time she missed, she was ready to eat by morning: I blended collard greens, squash baby food, Zilla fortified kibble, and Fluker's Calcium with D3, and Rhaegal's first taste was with a syringe. Once she firgured out it was food, though, she went to TOWN-- enough for me to give her a bowl and watch her consume it (shown here: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=192097 )

After getting some liquid diet into her, her color has improved, and she's more alert, watching every movement. I'm getting her started on a proper day-night cycle when I get home from work-- My house rarely drops below 65. I'm feeling more hopeful about her recovery, so I'll be putting her updates here from now on.

Thanks for reading! =]

 

[athenacp]

Oh what a little angel! Thank you so much for rescuing him!!! He really looks much better (I checked the other 2 topics)!!!!!

 

[ArchimedesBane]

Oh, it was my pleasure to take her in, although I'll reiterate-- I was not expecting her to be in such bad shape. I didn't realize until I handled her this morning just how underfed she'd been. When I first handled her while picking her up. she was all bone. Now she at least has a little tummy to her, after two days on liquid diet. I took her outside today for some natural sunlight once it got warm enough, and she perked right up, watched every leaf that skittered by, and eyed me up a whole bunch. She still doesn't quite know what to expect from me, it seems like, but she's content to sit in my hand and watch how things progress.
For a brand-new beardie owner, I bit off a bit more than I realized. But she's coming along, slowly but surely. I'm looking forward to getting her some protein this weekend, once I see a stool passage from her. I think chasing some crickets would be good for her. =]