Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i work at a pet store and found one of the beardies on its back sick. my manager told me to uthinize it so i took it home, i got it to drink and forcefbed it a dusted cricket. what can i do to save it. ive got uv and heat on it in a 10 gallon with paper towel on bottom. its not very active at all just lies there, looks like its gonna die

I assume you saying force fed him you put the cricket in its mouth. If this is so you are not force feeding you are assisted feeding the beardie which is way better. I would try to get him to eat a little more and make sure he can bask in a hot spot for some hours. Also Make sure you keep him hydrated with water. You seem to be doing all the right things. I would say a vet visit is the best idea and what the pet store manager should of done not told you to kill it. I don't understand that since I put money in the jar to help animals in need and it sounds like this one is in need.

There are too many possibilities to give you any good advise. I would recommend against the assist feeding. It causes too much stress and this may be the root of your problem. I would drip water on his nose occaisionally and see if he drinks. You can also try offering fruit baby food and see if he will lick at it. I would be real careful with temps. in only a 10 gal. tank.

ok, when i feed it i open his mouth and once a put the cricket in he chews it and swallows it. he ate two today. i also dip his mouth in the water and he drinks. the light is a 75w black night bulb along with the uv stip. he still just lays in the one spot without moving and only lifts his head up when i nudge him. i also cought him drinking his water by himself yesterday. i have a feeling he was the less dominant of the other 3 beardies and had a hard time getting food or something seeing as they grew to almost twice the size as him.

I woud get rid of the night bulb and use a normal basking balb. This may help with his eating