What to do while on week-long vacation...?

[KMT0429]

Hello all,

We got our dragon, Brick, two months ago from a well-respected breeder in my area. He is 3 and 1/2 months old and approximately 10 inches long. We are going out of town for 8 days and, and I am really torn as to what to do with Brick while I am gone. I see this as a potential health issue, so am posting this thread in the "Health" forum.

My sister usually takes care of him while we are out of town, but she will be with us on this particular trip. I have a friend who said she can come in once a day to feed him and make sure his lights are working correctly (they are currently on a timer), but I am not sure I am comfortable with this because he is used to eating twice a day. Also, although she said it would not be a problem, I am not sure how happy she will be to feed him his crickets.

My other option is to board him at his breeder's facility. While I would feel more than comfortable with the care he will receive there, I am really concerned that the week-long relocation will be too stressful for him. Unfortunately, I have to leave again for a two week trip at the end of the month, and he will definitely be at his breeder's facility during that time. This would mean two week+ long relocations in one month. Do you all think these two trips to the boarding facility will be too much for him at his age? He is just beginning to calm down and trust me, so I don't want to harm his health or our very new relationship by stressing him too much.

Any and all input will be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[colbsteroon]

i would ask your friend if she could come twice a day (once to feed him other to clean his poo and feed him again) for the first 1 week trip- beg her if she says no- and on the second 2 week trip i would send him to the breeders

 

[Tonja]

I would leave him with the breeder for both trips actually. She would need to come feed him breakfast then his 2nd feeding, and clean his cage of any waste. You could prepare a salad she could change out daily for your baby. If she is willing to come by once a day, it may not be enough and I wouldn't risk it friend or not, things can happen that she may not get to him one day and he go hungry or left in his waste.

 

[KristineM]

I'd have to agree with Tonja...my concern would also be with dehydration with your beardie being so young. It's tough. I learned that over my last weekend trip. Luckily we have friends and family who will gladly feed, clean up after, bathe, and check temps while we are away. If you don't have anyone like that available, I feel your beardie would be best left with the breeder for your trips.

Too many things could go wrong...just my opinion

 

[KMT0429]

Thanks for the advice. I was already leaning toward boarding him, so your responses have pretty much made up my mind. While I thoroughly trust my friend (who just happens to be a vet student in the "clinicals" stage of her program), I know that she will not have the time to come in twice a day bc she is so busy in school at the moment.

I am still very concerned that boarding Brick will cause too much stress but I would rather him be under the kind of supervision that his breeder can provide. Regardless, I'll feel better knowing he is in the best of hands. Heck--maybe these trips will help make him more adaptable

Thanks again!
--Kelly

 

[cricketbidwell]

we are also figuring out vacation plans for our guys, we have a 2 month old and a 1.5 year old, both new to us. we have friends who are willing to come by, they are coming for a meet & greet tomorrow.. we will be gone 5 days, but i'm already worried! :mrgreen:

 

[sjcksnmnusa]

See if your friend can actually house-sit. That solves the problem of being there more that once. We are going camping and are getting a knowledgeable friend to house/pet-sit while we are gone. Even if they are gone during the day, they can feed/clean in the morning and evening. If you have the lights on timers, that will maintain a sense of routine for your dragons, too.