Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, im new to the site. I have a beardie who has been diagnosed with mouth rot, due to snout damage he obtained from nose rubbing. He has been put on a 14 day course of Baytril, but has anyone had a beardie on this stuff? It seems to make him feel really bad, as he was eating somewhat voluntarily last week, and now refuses to even lick up water or liquid food. He's really lethargic, and barely moves. He's also being swabbed with betadine, but does anyone have any advice as to a good way to get in his mouth to do it? The vet i took him to has had some experience with reptiles, but the nearest herp vet is several hours away. Any help would be wonderful. Thankyou,
Sarah T

Try giving him a probiotic. As antibiotics kill alot of the good gutt flora as well, making it harder for the dragon to digest etc. You can use a low fat, unsweetened fruit yogurt which contains active bacteria culture (ie probiotic). Most dragons love yogurt so a teaspoon a day for an adult should be taken eagerly. If not you can just dab a bit on the side of their mouth and they should lick it off. Other probiotics is acidiphyllis (or something like that) which can be found in a pharmacy.

For food, offer finely chopped or blended greens etc..this may be taken easier than more solid food. Babyfood chicken and vegetables can be used too, till your dragon is more active and ready to eat food normally. Add a pinch of calcium with d3 and multivitamin to the babyfood to help balance his nutritional intake.

Call your vet as well, he may just order more anti-biotics to give him if the mouth rot is still thriving.

Keep the dragon well hydrated too, daily baths or mistings should be done, antibiotics are also very drying too.