Taking in a mistreated beardie

[Blakeybutt]

Hello, beardie lovers!

I haven't been on this forum in sometime.

I am taking in a badly mistreated beardie this afternoon, and I'm looking for tips on how to make her healthy again.
I followed up on an ad on Craigslist, and I was in disgust when I first saw this beardie. I went out last night, bought a new tank, and got it all fixed up for her. From first observations, and then asking questions, she has not had a heatlight/UVB in over a year. She was kept by a window that hardly got any light in it. She's a dull gray color, with very visible stress marks that did not seem to go away. She looks very skinny for her age(3 years), and is very inactive. I can not let her stay there so I am taking her into my care so I can give her a happy life.


What would be the first steps in helping this girl? I will weigh her tonight and report that stats, but I can tell she is horribly underweight. Please help me!!

 

[jloucks]

The worst issue the lizard might have is Metabolic Bone Disease. I have seen some HORRENDOUS cases of this, where the lizard is basically a living noodle. Hopefully, it will not be that bad. The fix is time and patience, and obviously calcium infusion. Two main ways to do this, treated food and proper UV lighting so the liz can make some on their own.

Following Metabolic Bone Disease, you have parasitic infestation. Contact a vet for meds to treat. There are online resources where you can just send in a fecal sample and the vet will send you meds.

Missing limbs is something else I have seen. I have seen a dragon with ALL FOUR missing. He got around like a little snake. Seemed fine, just, a little snake-like. He ate fine. He got around 'fine'. And his personality was charming.

Lastly, weight issues. Obvious fix is to feed lots and lots of food. However, weight loss can be parasite related, so if not weight gain fairly quickly, you will need to treat for parasites.

I am sure others will chime in, those are the things off the top of my head.

 

[zandi202]

A note on food. Don't feed them a lot. Slowly introduce them back onto food. A starved animal's stomach will have a hard time with food.

 

[jloucks]

A note on food. Don't feed them a lot. Slowly introduce them back onto food. A starved animal's stomach will have a hard time with food.

Oh yea, good point!

 

[Eloisethelizard1]

A note on food. Don't feed them a lot. Slowly introduce them back onto food. A starved animal's stomach will have a hard time with food.

feed her a little more food everyday

 

[AHBD]

Hi Blakey....lots of people are chining in with tips for you, so you're going to have lots of help. First off, can you post a picture ? It will help others give a general assessment, including deformities [ if any ] from MBD and visible body condition. Right off the bat, just hydration, probably small amounts of protein, possibly Critical Care supplement from Oxbow, and good UVB. Wait until she gains weight + is stable before taking a fecal in. But please put up a picture, that will be helpful.

 

[Blinksmama]

Definitely go easy on the protein until you're sure her urates are normal, to make sure her kidneys are functioning properly.

 

[Goonie]

[Moved from General to Beardie Rescue]

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Kudos to you for taking in this girl from a horrible former life.