I sold a bearded dragon female to someone who i thought gave the impression that he knew what he was doing.

He was fully aware that she had been brumating and wasn`t feeding very well, she was also a bit dehydrated due to not feeding. I only decided to rehome her due to my current circumstances and my lack of time, knowledge etc to get her feeding. I wish i hadn`t now.

She was advertised as not being in the best of health, and i sold her giving him full information about her condition and behaviour, he had a good look at her before he took her and still wanted to take her. Her price very much reflected her condition, and took only a token gesture money wise to ensure that she wasn`t seen as "free to a good home"

I`d been working on her dehydration by bathing her and spraying her with a reptiboost solution, and had been assist feeding her a pinky once a week until she`d got herself going again. I told him what i`d been doing and he said he would continue with it.

Less than 18 hours after he took her home i get an email....

I replied with the answers and told him to be very careful about forcefeeding her, as she was still technically brumating, and as she hadn`t digested the pink it was a good indication that her system hadn`t gotten back into order again yet. I told him that too much would kill her a lot quicker than too little!

Then i get this one, again within 20 hours of her leaving here:

At least HALF A PINT, and a lot of food... in less than 24 hours??? Is it just me or is that seriously overdoing it in a beardie who hasn`t eaten for a good few weeks??? I basically told him to leave her alone and give her nothing more for a few days. I warned him of the risk of a calcium overdose, plus the risk of sending her body into shock by forcefeeding her this amount.

This morning she was dead.

Now to be fair, i told him that if something did happen, if she did die within the next week or so, which was entirely unexpected but i was trying to be nice, then i would refund the money he paid, but i can`t help feeling that forcing her that amount in such a short time could only have contributed, if not caused her death.
I have absolutely no objection to refunding the guy as promised if i`m wrong, but if he ignored my advice and took steps towards unintentionally causing the death of this girl, then where do i stand?

I`m trying to get her body back here to be sent for a postmortem asap to try and sort this matter, but not sure if he`s going to comply. He is blaming me and saying she couldn`t have died from something he`d done because he`s worked so hard to keep her alive........ She certainly wasn`t at deaths door when i sold her...far from it...

I am really so angry at the moment, at myself for my obvious bad judgement in people and letting her go to him, and at him for doing what he`s done


Sorry its so long, but i really need some opinions on the impact that forcefeeding that amount would have on an already weak BD....am i wrong???

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No you are not wrong, do not give a re-fund because the person was irresponsible in taking her if he/she didnt know how to look after a beardie in that condidtion.
Its sad to hear about this, but even more sad as to how she died. with the proper care this could have easily been avoided.



Phil

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I just feel so bad, he really gave me the impression he knew what he was doing, she was a beautiful girl and genuinely thought i was placing her in more experienced hands.

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Its not your fault if he came across as knowing what he was doing, if he did not know for sure that he could take care of it, then he shouldnt of done it.
Its a shame we didnt come across your beardie because we would have put her with the rescued reps to bring her back to good health.
Is the person you sold it to a member of this forum?



Phil

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that is awful.. made me feel so sad I got goosebumps... poor little thing

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Who am I but a slave to my lizards

they would not see a penny back from me if I was in your position, in fact they would probably get a visit and a slap.

judging from what they have written they have zero experience of this kind of situation, and yes their actions definately could/would kill a weak dragon.

Unfortunately looks like you've been taken by a muppet who wanted something because it was cheap...

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Mason

1.0 of "Quixotic_Axotlotl"





http://masonexotics.co.uk/ourcollection.aspx

Locality Boas and Retics A Passion.

Ding! correct...



Phil

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Im really sorry to hear about the beardie and all your troubles.

Its only natural to be angry at yourself, i found myself in a very similar situation many years ago and blamed myself initially, but ultimatly the blame lies with the guy that took her. Trying to forcefeed her for a start sounds to me like a bad idea but forcefeeding the quantity that he did borders on insanity! As Philcw has already said, her condition would have improved with proper care and all this could have been avoided.

I would continue to request the body back but wouldnt be bothered about the money at all. If the guy is such a **** that all he can think of is money then **** him.

Excuse the language guys.

Well said!

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Aww that is terrible. Im so sorry
You cant blame yourself though.

I wouldnt refund the bloke either, atleast half a pint is a joke! What an a$$!

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