Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I'm new to the forum and really need some ideas on what to do. I have a 6 month old Rankins male. I got him about 6 weeks ago and he won't eat. I've talked to many helpful people and everyone says I'm doing everything right - temps are right, hiding places, basking rock that he likes to spend time on, etc. I've taken him to the vet who said that he looks fine and suggested that I take him outside as often as possible so he can get real sunlight. He thought that would get him eating. It hasn't been consistently warm yet so I've only been able to get him outside a couple of times. He does seem to enjoy it and is more active but still won't eat. I've been keeping him from starving by feeding him Jump Start mixed with babyfood. He laps it up - I don't have to force it. I have tried to shove crickets in his mouth which he eats with resistence but I stopped because I thought it was stressing him out. He gets misted every other day and a bath once a week. I offer him various greens - dandelion, mustard, collard - as well as crickets and silkworms. I'm at my wits end! Help!

Hi
dith the veterian a fecal exame??
i would try to get some parazap.com
it a herb to deworm and it also atack flagelates and it give you dragon a better imume system.
also i would look for capsules with probiotics in it mix that in the cold tea r in cooled of boiled water .
probiotics r achudhopulus its good bacteria to help the tummy digest food and it make them hungry.
but am curoius if the veterian dith a fecal exame to rule out parasites .
byeeeeee
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www.dragoncave.nl

No, the vet didn't do a fecal. I've talked to the breeder several times and she said that she wormed him right before she shipped him. Could he still have parasites?

Hi
yep they can get parasite from cricks greens and more things.
if they have worms r other parasite ofthend they stop eating and go lay down on a cooler spot .
is that the case?
www.herpvetconection.com to seek a good reptile vet who can do some fecal exame.
byeeeee
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www.dragoncave.nl

He spends more time on his basking rock and seems to feel fine. He goes to his cool side usually before bed and stays there until he wakes up in the morning and then goes back to the warm side. I will check out that website; hopefully there's a good herp vet near by. Thanks for your help!

I suggest a fecal just to be sure all the parasites are gone.

If he doesn't eat crickets, make sure you are not offering crickets that are too big for him. Try other feeder insects like phoenix worms, butterworms, silkworms, to get him to eat on his own. dip the worms into that quickstart stuff you are using, that may get him to eat it on his own.
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PHLdyPayne

Hi. Thanks for your suggestions. I've tried small crickets (they fit length-wise between his eyes) and I tried silkworms but he wasn't interested and they got too big. I just ordered some phoenix worms and wax worms. I should get them tomorrow so I'll keep my fingers crossed. The Jump Start that I'm using is kind of a paste - should I still dip them in it? Also, I found a good reptile vet not to far from where I work so I'll bring him in for a fecal this week. Thanks again; I'll report back.

Hey. Great news! I gave my rankins phoenix worms and he ate 5 of them! I'm so excited I can't even tell you; it's been so stressful. I have an appt. with a vet tomorrow. Should I keep the appt. just in case or see how he does with the phoenix worms in the next couple days?