Caspi's fecal is NEGATIVE!

wooo hooo!

I was so worried after the bonnie and clyde fiasco that the breeder had a chronic problem.

I was happy I got him at 3 weeks old, I figured that if there were any parasites, they would have been transmitted in vitro.

but there isn't a parasite in sight!

I didn't have any signs that there were problems, but it is always a good idea to do the exam to be sure.

I'm meeting with the vet tomorrow to discuss other issues: ie. that the breeder told me to withhold crickets from my baby until he eats his salad. since the vet and the breeder are on good terms, I'm hoping he can tell them nicely that...

this is BAD ADVICE -- you never, ever withhold food from a growing baby. baby beardies need to eat 90% meat (crickets) and 10% veggies. when they get to be adults, it becomes 90% veggies and 10% meat.

no wonder the first babies (bonnie and clyde) were sick and all of them had suffered from mutilation. this is what they do when they are starving. they will not simply break down and eat their salad.

the most ridiculous part of the whole thing is that the lady said, "its like you have a 2 year old that just wants to eat ice cream and won't eat his food."

first of all, crickets are not equal to ice cream. crickets are the most important source of protein for growing beardie babies -- they NEED them. at this age, they are not treats. they need to eat as many as they can for the first few months so they grow big and strong.

the withholding food trick is something you do as a last resort to finicky adults. only an adult dragon can go without eating for a while without suffering major problems.

I simply can't believe that they breed dragons and give out this kind of advice. I've been so depressed about the whole thing for days.

I feel much better now though, knowing that my baby is absolutely healthy.

he is still jumping and running around like a happy, healthy baby. its amazing how quick he can be!