>>A MHD arrived almost dead. Limp and grey/green in color. Sprayed him often for days, provided low heat and lots of UV. He slowly regained his strength and could stand so I put a water bowl in. Since then he has been in his bowl night & day.



MHDs become dehydrated easily when not in proper environment. They require a high humidity so the misting would perk him up beyond a doubt. Soaking is common if the animal is shedding, had layers of old stuck shed, or females just before laying eggs.



The only way he will feed is if I open his mouth and put a waxworm in. He won't swallow until he is back in his cage. I've starved him for a few days but it hasn't effected his eating. He also has no interest in earthworms or crickets. This has gone on for a month. He is a brillant green and very alert. He has pooped several time so his gut is working. Why won't he leave his water? What can I do about his eating? Is he strong enough for a dewormer?



I’m confused here. If you are starving it to make it eat then what is it passing? How often are you putting a waxworm in his mouth and putting him back in his cage? That has to be really stressful!



How are you offering earthworms? Generally MHDs don’t like crickets or waxworms. Mine prefer mealworms when they are young, and as adults they prefer silkworms, roaches, hornworms, grubs, slugs, & nightcrawlers.



Brilliant green doesn’t seem a normal color for A. capra unless it is a juvenile. Could you take a look at my species photos on my site and see if you can tell what you have? http://www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html I’m also wondering if what you have is maybe a Japalura. If that is the case I really don’t have much info on them but you could read the post about the Japalura eggs and you will find the info on a group that may be of some help to you. To determine if it is a Japalura do a search on the web and you should find at least one photo.



Also, on my caresheet www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html you will find instructions for treating for dehydration and information on force-feeding that may be helpful.



As for it being well enough to treat for worms, that is a tough call. First of all, MHDs do frequently have pinworms but I am hesitant to treat a weak dragon with a wormer without knowing that it has them. The wormer in itself is a poison and can be hard on an already weak animal if it isn’t what it needs. There are numerous other parasites that both MHDs and Japalura are very likely to have that wouldn’t be treated by using a wormer and in the end you would still have a sick dragon. If it is a MHD make sure it is not given Ivomectin as it has been know to kill several MHDs. Apparently they don’t tolerate it well.



Good luck and let me know how he does.


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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons

www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

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