A few months ago I got a message from a friend asking if I could take one of two bearded dragons that someone was surrendering to her. Initially, I was going to say no as I already had three in my care but when I learned of the conditions I couldn't refuse.
Saya (originally 'Stumpy') was being kept in a 10 gallon aquarium with another adult bearded dragon with bird seed as a substrate, no UVB, and a single red bulb as a heat source.
I quickly prepped a hospital tank for her (no furniture aside from a low basking spot, paper towel substrate, and used a 20 gallon long) and drove over to pick her up from my friend. As soon as I held her I instantly worried she wouldn't make it the night. She was skinny, exhausted, dark, and showing obvious signs of an advanced RI. I wrapped her up in a travel container with a towel and a heat pack and zoomed home to let her get settled.
Saya's first night
Woke up the next morning relieved to see her basking. Much to my surprise she devoured the salad I hand fed her and later that day we went to the vet. My suspicions were confirmed and she indeed had a RI as well as a small pocket of fungus on the tip of her nose. I went home with a lot of medications and a treatment plan.
The following days were filled with baths (to help hydrate her as well as assisting in passing the bird seed that filled her stomach), medications, and snuggles. Little by little she improved and her colors started to brighten immensely.
Saya post soaking
Months later, Saya is still with the rescue as we continue to battle her RI (on the second round of injections now) but she continues to gobble up food and show us she still has quite an attitude despite her years of neglect.
You know, they say that what you do for those who can do nothing for you really speaks the most for your character. I would say you are certainly a hero to that little beardie. What a sweet little face. Thank you.
You know, they say that what you do for those who can do nothing for you really speaks the most for your character. I would say you are certainly a hero to that little beardie. What a sweet little face. Thank you.
Despite a second round of antibiotics, Saya is still displaying signs of a RI though they are not as pronounced as they were before but she continues to gap when she's not basking and has excess mucus in her mouth. We will be consulting the vet soon as to our next course of action.
Regardless of this setback, Saya does seem to be enjoying life at The Gecko Sanctuary. Since the weather has finally warmed up she has been taking her baths outside and enjoying exploring the back yard (always with me nearby of course).
It is a bit tough to see in these pictures but Saya had a significant stunt in her growth due to the improper care she suffered but trust me she has plenty of attitude for being a "little lady" :lol: