Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Moody74

Hi, got my first beardie about 4 days ago, was bought off a family member for £40 with viv, basking attachment & uv attachment & 2 heat mats plus dimmer control. But he wasn't in that viv, he was in a 4ft high x 3ft wide x 4-5ft long glass tank. He had 2 fluorescent bulbs ontop which were actually meant for a fish tank - which it was, definataley not UVB, a heat mat in the middle & a bowl of dried fruit. Got told he was 2yrs oldish, basically lost interest after a year whilst he started with 2 and was now down to 1. Hadn't handled in months - explains why he's a little shy. No water bowl to be seen, no hide, no basking light or means to get there. Very dark in colour, can feel his ribs, backbones by tail I'm told should not be visible but are very pronounced. Hasn't eaten live in about 6 - 12 months.

Right so got him home late one night & set up his viv & actually hand fed him some apple & left some greens in with him & some water.

Next day went to my local petshop where i've had 3 of my 4 snakes & got kitted up on a log for basking, a big water bowl which he could dip in, a bigger food dish cause he walks through it, and a repti glo 8.o uv & uvb bulb, some crickets & waxworms.

He ate about 5-6 crickets & about 4 waxworms and a little fruit. Got told about calcium & nutrabol & phoned another shop i used to use & she said to bring him up. So she advised on this vit & calcium mix to put with crickets & dismissed nutrabol & sold me cuttlefish which i did research & found was very good for calciun, also have a water conditioner that boosts calcium & another water supplement that boosts hydration & relieves stress & boosts food intake.

She then said not to bother withvet checkup for 2 weeks until i tried everything, she also said to feed him as much as he would take, to which i said he liked waxworms & she said feed him the whole tub if he'll take it. So that evening he ate 39 waxworms, has poo'd twice since but won't eat anymore, did i give him too much?

His colour lookin alot better with uvb bulb but still skinny & i don't see him eating, let alone drinking .

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanx

kroakykaren · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

Moody, try him with some nice fat locusts and watercress, 39 waxies is a lot and they are so fatty they can cause liver damage so i would only give them in moderation, just give him time he will come good, another feeder they like is roaches these are full of goodness and have a low chitin level so are easy to digest, hope that helps a bit. Also keep his basking area to about 115f and his cool end about 85f if he is too cold he wont want to eat. And well done you for giving him a good home Very Happy

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Moody74 · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:22 am Post subject:

Cheers. Recently took him for a check up in the vet & got told hes got no sines of metabolic bone disease & looking good, but only weighing 138g. hes doing well & actually looking like hes putting on weight.

Moody74 · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:35 am Post subject:

Also would like to say that 54 people viewed this & only 1 reply, come on , i got more replies about asking about a camera ! granted I'm over my head but i couldn't leave him in the conditions he was & he seems to be doing better.

Lynne · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:50 am Post subject:

people probably thought because you had taken him to the vet you had got the advice you needed.
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Moody74 · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:52 am Post subject:

maybe , but seeing as i only posted about the vet after i saw the 54 replies , i guess not

alastair · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject:

Sorry, i was one of the 54, but not being very experienced didnt want to offer advice in case it turned out to be wrong. From what i have been told i agree with the advice re: waxworms
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so many morphs, so little money
1.1 Beardies
2.1 Homo sapiens jnr
0.1 royals owned by mikey