Super Skinny Beardie Tail

[SukiLove]

You say that they are 3 years old, have you weighed and measured them? If they were both in a 40 gallon tank for the full 3 years, and as you have admitted not on the proper calcium/supplement support, I can't imagine that they are very big. From the first pic you posted, she definitely looks smaller than him but it could be the angle.

I would keep them separated from now on as well, especially so she has the best chance on getting healthy again.

 

[SukiLove]

All beardies have fat pads that are like emergency stores for when food is scarce. You can see them on the male in the picture; he has a full, thick tail; they also have them on their heads and store excess in various parts of their bodies. She is definitely emaciated. She doesn't have the 'plumpness' that your male does and her skin is very wrinkled, the fact that you can see her bone structure in the hips and tail is a very bad sign.

When they puff up all they are doing is filling themselves with air to help them float in water when soaking, or look bigger when they are frightened. It is not a sign of health, I'm afraid (in this case). But it is good that she is responsive, that means that she may not be quite so far gone yet, but I will be honest and say that I don't think she would've made it much longer without intervention.

 

[SeTzX]

You say that they are 3 years old, have you weighed and measured them? If they were both in a 40 gallon tank for the full 3 years, and as you have admitted not on the proper calcium/supplement support, I can't imagine that they are very big. From the first pic you posted, she definitely looks smaller than him but it could be the angle.

I would keep them separated from now on as well, especially so she has the best chance on getting healthy again.

In terms of length i just measured them... My male is 17 inches head to tail and my female is 16 inches headbto tail...


Do you think at this point there is any way to get her plump again?

 

[SukiLove]

Hopefully, over time she can get there. If she gets a clean bill of health parasite-wise it will just be a matter of time. Just remember that overloading her system too fast is just as harmful as her not getting any nutrition. Please keep us posted on her vet appointment and how she's doing. I'm pulling for her!

 

[SeTzX]

Hopefully, over time she can get there. If she gets a clean bill of health parasite-wise it will just be a matter of time. Just remember that overloading her system too fast is just as harmful as her not getting any nutrition. Please keep us posted on her vet appointment and how she's doing. I'm pulling for her!

I could not get to pet or reptile store today to get calcium but i got her some mustard greens okra yellow squash and this white carrot looking thing i forgot the name of but i read it is ok for her. She only ate a little bit of the mustard greens nothing else... She always prefers insects... Her belly is m almost droopy the rest of her is not... I can not make it to the vet until thursday...

Are hornworms NEEDED??? Or can i just give crickets? Crickets are 100x easier to obtain and i will get her 60 tomorrow and dust them with calcium... Anything else i can do?

 

[SukiLove]

Can you post another full body pic of her?

The 'white carrot' was probably parsnip. Hornworms are great as treats and for giving extra hydration, but crickets should be fine. Is she in a separate cage and has her own basking light/UV setup?

 

[AHBD]

Hi there.....crickets will be fine, but if they are the large ones just give her about 10 at a time to be sure she can digest them. When reptiles get that thin their kidneys can fail if they get too much protein at once. If the crix are closer to medium then you can probably give her 20 or so. Just give her plenty of water to keep her kidneys functioning.

 

[SeTzX]

Can you post another full body pic of her?

The 'white carrot' was probably parsnip. Hornworms are great as treats and for giving extra hydration, but crickets should be fine. Is she in a separate cage and has her own basking light/UV setup?

Yes parsnip was it.

It does not let me post more pics i do not know why...

 

[SukiLove]

How is she doing? Did you get her to the vet?

 

[SeTzX]

How is she doing? Did you get her to the vet?

No the vet was out of town and i am actually on the road to a week long vacation as i type... She bulked up a lot though... and while i am away my mother will be stopping by and feeding her and him and all my pets for that matter every day so thank for her.

 

[tehd2010]

I am in utter shock. I understand you are attempting to do the right thing (now), but I cannot begin to imagine what is so important or what hurdles got in the way of IMMEDIATELY going to get calcium and any other needed supplies. She is clearly emaciated, bad picture or not. How could not have given her calcium for 3 years?!?!? To be completely honest I am absolutely outraged that you are on vacation! What if this was your child (which by all means it is!)? You seem to be so nonchalant about the entire situation. If you don't get it together and actually take care of her she WILL die, and that is just plain not OK. I want so badly to drive to wherever you are and nurse her back to health myself. If that was a dog or a cat she would be taken away for neglect. I'm very sorry, but it is unacceptable to let any animal suffer due to "life" getting in the way. Please find someone, ANYONE, that knows what they are doing and turn her over to them. At least until she gets better.

 

[Zara6]

Hello,
Before you left for vacation did you buy any calcium supplements? Will your mother be able to dust the crickets in the calcium before feeding them? Since she has never had calcium there is a good chance she has Metabolic Bone Disease. I recommend getting a liquid calcium for better absorption. Now that both dragons are seperated could you tell us a little about each set up? Do they each have their own UVB light? If so, what kind? Right now hydration is really important, will your mother be giving her baths? As previously stated she is very skinny and something will need to be done quickly. In my opinion a trip to the vet is needed asap. I hope that she pulls through until you get back and can take her.

 

[Zara6]

Any update? Did she make it?

 

[SeTzX]

Any update? Did she make it?

She is fine... Giving 30 crickets every other day dusted in zoo med calcium. cause she is stubborn and does not like vegtables or fruit as much so I give her mostly crickets. My male eats anything anytime. and I have a sterlite bin of water in her cage she goes in all the time to soak and drink... I change the water daily. She has always drank from a bowl. I give them both baths every few days and let them stay in for hours... She is still pretty skinny but is getting bigger. Whenever I put them together she will either just completely ignore him or dominate him and sit on him
and he does not even care he is the laziest dragon and will walk around with her on his back she will even head bob at him sometimes and tell him leave. It is funny. Their 4x2 enclosure will be setup in the next 2 weeks.

 

[FLZooMom]

Please tell me you're not going to be housing them together moving forward?

If she doesn't want to eat her veggies try getting some organic baby food; butternut squash or sweet potato and put it in a syringe without a needle (any pharmacy will give you one for free if you ask). Dribble some on her nose so she can lick it off and taste it and feed her that way. She's getting far too much protein and not enough veggies. The baby food will help her gain weight and give her some of the nutrition she needs. You can also get a butternut squash from the grocery and grate some and hand feed her that. All of my beardies love butternut squash and it's the one food they can't resist. Even the guy I have to syringe feed baby food will eat a couple of bites of grated butternut squash.