25/10/2021
6 June until 21 August 2021. These are the dates of when I got the next rescue, and the date he went to his new home.
Sweet little Bumper and Bumper’s sibling were brought to a veterinary practice from a pet shop to be euthanised, due to not being able to sell and going down hill in health.
The veterinary practice contacted me, and asked if I could take on the sicker one, as one of the nurses was going to keep the healthy one.
At only 6 weeks of age, it was very clear little Bumper was very sick. I affectionately named him “Bumper” due to an evident bump on his back/tail.
Of course, all rescues go straight to the vets, so that’s where we headed. Unfortunately little Bumper had hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels), which was clearly evident in his X-rays. Bumper also has a fracture in his left front arm. He also has high levels of pinworms and coccidia, and was so weak and ill that he wouldn’t move and couldn’t eat independently.
Bumper was put on medication to clear up the parasites, as well as having to be syringe fed a concoction I make up and find I have great success with for sick dragons.
He was having Liquid Gold to assist bone health, of course whilst having the correct temp and lighting set up. Poor little Bumper was 29g when he first arrived to me.
We had lots of ups and downs, at times, quite a few times, I thought he wasn’t going to make it. But thankfully, Bumper kept holding on, and suddenly just seemed to turn a corner. Eating independently, moving around, responding to his name, actually climbing- it was wonderful to see him acting like a bearded dragon should!!
We had lots of regular vet check ups in between, and once Bumper was gulping down bugs and salad, shedding, gaining weight and had a repeat of bloods and faecal tests that came back clear, he was finally ready for his forever home!!
It was a bittersweet day, as you can’t help but become attached, and to watch him go from almost death to thriving and full of life- it’s just wonderful. I had him a long time, but thankfully like with all the rescues, I knew he was going to an amazing home!!
There will always be a special place in my heart for little Bumper, though!