Zeus - 2yo male rescue - 184g and 14"

[Mrkngpen]

I have vaguely known of this family for years and knew that they had bought a bearded dragon. I have tried, from a distance, to get them to give it proper care. I went so far as to buy them a Megaray (unfortunately, this was when megarays were going thru their troubled times) and bring over food, etc. But it was fighting a losing battle. These people do NOT take care of any of their pets. I tried to stop thinking about it because there was nothing I could do. Well, all of a sudden today, a mutual friend called and asked if I would take it because the mother wanted to get rid of it. Of course, I said yes.

Here is Zeus. He has had no UV in who knows how long, no protein in at least a week, no proper vegetables, etc. He is close to two years old, weighs 184g and is 14" long. I plan on rehabbing him and then trying to find him a permanent home. I already have one 5yo female beardie and a 10yo leopard gecko and my husband really doesn't want me to add any more reptiles to my collection.

 

[Beardednoob]

His colors are still good. :wink: I hope to hear more on him on a regular basis and what you are doing to get him back into a normal weight range and so forth.

 

[Mrkngpen]

It probably helps that he had a Megaray up until recently. So far tonight he has had two big leaves of collard greens, a snap pea and about 6 superworms. He would have kept eating but I didn't want to let him gorge too much on his first night. :shock: He even tried to eat the fake greens decorating one of the cave things!

 

[Beardednoob]

It probably helps that he had a Megaray up until recently. So far tonight he has had two big leaves of collard greens, a snap pea and about 6 superworms. He would have kept eating but I didn't want to let him gorge too much on his first night. :shock: He even tried to eat the fake greens decorating one of the cave things!

Good to hear. I love good news. Eating false plants is a bad habit and the same habit which has made me reluctant to place any in most of my dragons enclosures.

 

[Mrkngpen]

Zeus has been eating a ton every day. About 8-10 supers, tons of collards and a little carrots, snap peas, fruit. He is pooping a LOT, which is probably due to how much he is eating but it also smells pretty bad. He is going two huge poops, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. And sometimes another small one at night. Because of the probability of parasites/coccidia or whatever, I took him to my reptile vet today. They are sending his fecal sample out to a lab that can get a more accurate count on it. I'll get the results tomorrow and, if necessary, get the medicine. I already have acidophiliz if he needs that.

He is really warming up to me. He doesn't get scared when I reach in to get him. He climbs right up onto my hand and hangs on. He loves to snuggle on me. I'm getting attached already but I still have to plan on finding a permanent home for him in a couple months. He is already up to 210g. Gained 25g in 6 days!

 

[EmilyRussom]

Yay Zeus!!!!!

Once you nurture him up to a good fat weight, I'll be shocked if you give him up! Your Husband'll warm up, LoL...

He's doing so well, this is great!

 

[Mrkngpen]

So Zeus did have a 3+ count of pinworms. He got a dose of panacur on Thursday and will get a second dose in two weeks. I have a potential home for him lined up once he is done with the medicine. They sound like an experienced beardie owner and live a couple hours away, so shipping won't be an issue. I really want him to have a great permanent home. He deserves a happy life!

 

[herpgirl2510]

Thankfully you came to his rescue I am sure he would not have made it without you. Glad to hear you found him a good home.

 

[HaleyMaree]

Zeus has been eating a ton every day. About 8-10 supers, tons of collards and a little carrots, snap peas, fruit. He is pooping a LOT, which is probably due to how much he is eating but it also smells pretty bad. He is going two huge poops, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. And sometimes another small one at night. Because of the probability of parasites/coccidia or whatever, I took him to my reptile vet today. They are sending his fecal sample out to a lab that can get a more accurate count on it. I'll get the results tomorrow and, if necessary, get the medicine. I already have acidophiliz if he needs that.

He is really warming up to me. He doesn't get scared when I reach in to get him. He climbs right up onto my hand and hangs on. He loves to snuggle on me. I'm getting attached already but I still have to plan on finding a permanent home for him in a couple months. He is already up to 210g. Gained 25g in 6 days!

U seem expierenced so wht should a 12 month old "rescue be eatin"

 

[Mrkngpen]

At that age, a healthy beardie is starting to make the transition from primarily protein (bugs) to a lot more veggies and a lesser amount of protein. However, it is is significantly underweight, which a lot of rescues are, then I would give it as much of it wants to eat of everything, within reason.

Even though Zeus is almost 2 years old, I have been giving him a palm size leaf of collards in the morning, followed by around 4 supers a couple hours later. Then in the early afternoon, I give him a slice of yellow squash cut up with a couple more supers. Then another leaf of collards in the early evening. Somewhere in there I might add a bit of apple for some sweetness.

In comparison, my 4 year old female beardie who is large and filled out (550g compared to Zeus emaciated 200g), eats only 2-3 supers every day or two. Also, she hates greens, so I have to force her to eat a bit of collards and a slice or two of yellow squash every day or two. Normally adults don't need to eat very much but rescues need to build up their strength and weight.

Also, I highly suggest a vet visit and fecal if you suspect any parasites/worms/etc. That can cause significant weight loss or failure to gain weight. You can also try Acidophiliz+ or Reptaid or Repti-Aid or baby food if you need some supplements. Feel free to start a thread for your rescue if you need some advice!

 

[Mrkngpen]

Well, Zeus now measures 16" and 244g. I can't believe he has gained two whole inches and 60 grams in 2.5 weeks! Wow. I didn't think that adult dragons could still gain that much in length. He is eating 10-12 supers a day, depending on size; plus a large leaf of collards throughout the day. I have tried squash and some fruits but he seems to only like things that are green. I bathe him twice daily to keep him from pooping in his cage, since he is still in the midst of his pinworm treatment. He second dose will be this coming Thursday. Hopefully then, he'll be all clear.

 

[evanescent]

so glad he's doing better! <3

and wow, I thought they stopped growing before the age of 2?
that's amazing.

Also, I saw that you were giving him up?
Hope you find the right person to take him!

 

[Mrkngpen]

Well, he is somewhere between 1.5 and 2 years old. But I still can't believe that he has grown so much in length! I had a possible taker who lived a couple hours from me but I then found someone who lives much closer who seems to offer just as good, if not better, of a home. But the closer the day gets, the more sad I am getting about giving him up!

 

[HaleyMaree]

Personally, I would keep him! I am so sorry if this makes your decision harder! :shock:

 

[evanescent]

Personally, I would keep him! I am so sorry if this makes your decision harder! :shock:

yeah, same!
almost every day my boyfriend mopes about having given Teqe away.
he went to an amazing home, we take some solise in that, but it's still sad..