Stuarts Vet Visit

[MamaTater]

Since we just recently moved to Ohio we had to find a good vet, not to mention impending brumation check.
He looks excellent. Good color, eyes/nose/vent/tymphanum all clear. 0.72 lbs and fecal clear as well! Said he may fill out a bit more but probably not gain much length if at all. Since he had a bad start in life he will probably be a "stout little feller".
He said I could give him a higher fat diet to prep for brumation but he's in excellent condition and his mom practices good husbandry.
Good variety in his current diet. (my gosh, he eats a little of everything)
So my fear of parasites is laid to rest...for now. I described Stuarts poop a couple wks ago. Tiny rice looking things similar to tapeworms...and he said they probably are tapeworms and that they look a little different in dragon poop but the fecal was clear of eggs (not uncommon) and he gave us some wormer to be safe.
We had a good informative talk about lighting, temps, substrate, etc. He says that disturbing him during his winter sleep is unnecessary and could be stressful so no weekly baths. Just give him a little sand and mist him regularly, the substrate as well as his scales. This will be our first official brumation so I was a little nervous but have done tons of reading. It was good to have a new/different opinion. Ask questions and have them answered in detail.
I was very happy with our visit! Also, the fecal was only $23!
Stuart was such a good boy. He only sorta/kinda black bearded a little when the doc stuck the depressor in his mouth. He got lots of cuddles and stroking from everybody. (Stuart, not the doc lol)

 

[AHBD]

Hi there.....I'm glad that you [ and Stuart ] had a good experience at the vet. So his fecal is clear now ? And he weighs about 325 grams, that's a decent weight for a small dragon. I agree with not waking them during a true brumation....that is if they are sound asleep. In nature no one would wake them up, their body is built to do just what it does. The only time I would offer water would not be by spraying, and not if he's asleep. If he is one who has his eyes open at times, you can offer water via syringe or bottle directly on his snout....just a few drips at a time to see if he wants to drink. Than dab up any extra water that may puddle near him. I wouldn't spray him + his substrate, this can cause a dampness in the tank that may bring on a respiratory infection, especially since beardies usually stay on the cool side. Mine usually sleep at temps. of anywhere from about 63-70 and they rarely wake up at all. I don't let them sleep more than 3 months, they will be ready to wake back up after that amount of time and then I increase temps.to induce them to become active again. So I thought I'd share that with you, and I hope that Stuart will do well if he decides to do the " deep sleep"

 

[MamaTater]

Thanks so much! I like having varying opinions, as much education as I can get my hands on so I can make the best decision possible. Very good point, the UpperResp issue.
Last year's cool period Stuart was a little over a yr old and he did slow down quite a bit. I actually wasn't aware of how much they go down. I thought, ok he's slowing, that sounds right during the cold months. But I did a lot of reading and now know that it's an actual "thing" to be prepared for and dealt with. It seems Stuart is beginning to slow down his activity and eating but he still jumps at anything that moves. So fuzzys and mealworms it is!
Maybe it's twisted but I esp enjoy watching him eat cute little baby mice 8)

 

[MamaTater]

OH! And I had also asked about gout. He said that we didn't have to worry about it as his diet is perfect. Lots of greens, veggies, squash, fruit, etc. And the amount of live prey is right as well as the variety of foods. (bsfl, dubia, fuzzys) He was ok with my staying away from crickets. (stinky and high mortality rate) He gets Flukers commercial sometimes, maybe once a wk or two and freeze-dried gutloaded crix/mealworms for...you guessed it, variety.
I feel pretty secure with my dragon-keeping abilities right now. I'll probably walk round with my chest puffed and a swollen head these next couple days. Hope I don't fall on my face! :wink:

 

[MamaTater]

I'm going to brag about Stuarts Vet, Dr. Lightell at Dublin Vet Clinic (in case anybody is local)
Taking a closer look at his discharge sheet...this man, knowing I plan to start Stuarts brumation come about December, did a countdown schedule of feeding high fat foods on into which days to lower temps how much.
Who DOES that? Is it just me or is this guy considerate and thorough? It's obviously personalized and detailed. What a great vet!
I think I have a vet crush.
:love5:

 

[Taterbug]

I'm going to brag about Stuarts Vet, Dr. Lightell at Dublin Vet Clinic (in case anybody is local)
Taking a closer look at his discharge sheet...this man, knowing I plan to start Stuarts brumation come about December, did a countdown schedule of feeding high fat foods on into which days to lower temps how much.
Who DOES that? Is it just me or is this guy considerate and thorough? It's obviously personalized and detailed. What a great vet!
I think I have a vet crush.
:love5:

I didn't know they saw exotics! I've been going to Animal Care Unlimited since I've not been able to find any other vets, and they are the only ones I've been refered too but I'm not super happy with them. I might have to check your office out!

 

[MamaTater]

Yeah, I think he only does exotic appts on Wednesdays and Fridays, or something like that. He has the best bedside manner!