STARVED BEARDIE! PLEASE HELP

[EmiliaThuet]

Hello I just rescued a bearded dragon from someone who didn't know how to take care of them, her name is Cleopatra. So long story short she is 11 years old and she lived in a 40 gallon all her life that was filled with playground sand. Her previous owner fed her once every 3 weeks for her whole life and all she had was a mercury 75 watt light. She had no hides. hammock etc just 2 pieces of wood propped up in the corner. I know I have to take her to the vet but they are closed today so I can’t make one until tomorrow. I need help I’m syringe feeding her water today she had diarrhea all of yesterday, she went 3 times. Her nails are so long that they are twisting her fingers and her tail is very limp and she’s basically just skin and bones. But she is a fighter and she can move like no one’s business she can also hold herself up a little bit if she’s hanging on you. She has a proper tank now with a heat pad, heat bulb and her uvb, I also provided her a hide I'd give her more but I don't think she has the strength to climb things and I worry if she falls off of them she may injury herself. I know I can’t feed her protein yet, but should I just give her fluids for the next couple of days maybe some electrolytes? Please help

 

[JumpinJellyfish]

You could try some baby food, even the chicken should be okay, I would think, but certainly squash or green beans, and yes, you could try diluted Pedialyte.

 

[AHBD]

Poor thing, can you post some pics to show her tank + lights and also pics of her full body to sow her condition ? If she's pooing then you can feed her. Give her smallish/medium soft insects [ fresh shed dubia if you have them ] or fresh she superworms or just a few smaller supers. Here's how to post pics :

https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XMG to upload them

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor girl it's hard when you take in a dragon who has been abused or neglected.
Definitely post some pictures of her along with her tank setup would be very helpful
for us.
Since she is having loose stools, you will need to go slowly with feeding her because
she is older also. At her age, she doesn't need much protein but instead more fluids
& veggies.
I love the name, Cleopatra!
Looking forward to seeing pictures.

Tracie

 

[MelissaDufreche]

Hi,
I have a dragon named Hurc and he was really skinny and very ill when I first got him. I fed him critical care herbivore and carnivore in a pedialyte mixture for several weeks until he was well enough to eat veggies on his own. I just did 1 tsp of each and made it thin so I could feed with syringe. I am a novice at raising dragons, but I was determined to save Hurc. I am not sure how the forum feels about critical care, it's just what I used to get him well.

I hope your little guy gets better.

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

Any updates for us?

I agree, go slow with the food. Her system needs to slowly come back online. They sometimes crash and burn when given too much food right off the bat.

-Brandon