Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks again for your help. He has been only getting about 12 hours of light, so I'll change that to 14. He is outside about 4 hours a day too because the weather has been so great here (S. California). I took him to the vet yesterday, a wonderful vet here in Yorba Linda. I am very happy to have found a rep vet and become established with him. He did a fecal and there isn't any parasites, but he will treat him anyway, just in case. He weighs 78 grams! and he is 4 months old (big guy). He is about 13" long and the vet says he looks very healthy. Yesterday, I tried wax worms and he ate 3 plus about 3 crickets and some veggies. He is still pooping daily so he must be eating some veggies, which are in his lair always. I feel better knowing that he isn't loaded with parasites and I'll watch him closely. He is very active today and has a wonderful color back.
I'll keep you posted.
thanks again,

I'm not Reiko, but I'm a little concerned that you are going to treat him for parasites even though the fecal test came back as having no parasites. I would advise against doing that. The harsh meds that kill the parasites also kill the beneficial bacteria in the beardies gut. Wiping out these "good guys" will most likely damper his appetite even more. Then you will have to give him acidophilus to put the good bacteria back in. Just MTCW.

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

I can't remember what he gave him. He gave him one dose yesterday and I'm to give him another "squirt" in two weeks. Since you brought up a good question as to why I'm giving him med when he doesn't have parasites I don't quite know. I might forego the second dose though, since that is a very good point. Next time I'll have to ask more questions. He seems to be doing good today. More alert and not so sleepy. I added another light in his enclosure so it is brighter in there.

sounds like panacur, its not too bad a med and many people do give it when aquring a new animal etc just as a precautionary type thing. i would get him some probiotics, such as acidophiliz and put him on that as the panacur will kill good bacteria also along with any bad.
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reiko
photos

whether a fecal shows anything or not, the theory is there MIGHT be worms in other areas of the stool that was not in the area they tested...... it will not hurt him, worming meds are some of the safest meds there are for animals, but, it's not needed if the fecal showed clear of any. Really questioned now by many medical schools whether they should be treated at all unless the animal is showing signs of distress.

Some thoughts are that we keep animals too clean and do not allow their natural immune systems to develope or by killing off all worms and parasites, we are harming something in them that mayassist another body function

generally the same meds on horses every three months and give a very thorough worming 2 times a year, doesnt hurt em, they are of course horses and eating off the ground the same ground they and every other animal also uses as a toilet of course, but the point being that they do fine with the worming. not suggesting of course you worm your dragons every 3 months with panacur
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reiko
photos

did he give him a round of panacur? or what meds? im glad he is doing beter, increase daylight hours and keep his enclosure good and bright. i too am in southern california (san diego county) and my dragons really notice how early it gets dark and have either slowed down or brumating. my youngest is out of veiw of the windows and he is kept up for 14 hour days, hasnt slowed and is still growing strong at 4 months 13 inches (nipped tail) and over 200 grams. keep us updated on how he does

>>Thanks again for your help. He has been only getting about 12 hours of light, so I'll change that to 14. He is outside about 4 hours a day too because the weather has been so great here (S. California). I took him to the vet yesterday, a wonderful vet here in Yorba Linda. I am very happy to have found a rep vet and become established with him. He did a fecal and there isn't any parasites, but he will treat him anyway, just in case. He weighs 78 grams! and he is 4 months old (big guy). He is about 13" long and the vet says he looks very healthy. Yesterday, I tried wax worms and he ate 3 plus about 3 crickets and some veggies. He is still pooping daily so he must be eating some veggies, which are in his lair always. I feel better knowing that he isn't loaded with parasites and I'll watch him closely. He is very active today and has a wonderful color back.
>>I'll keep you posted.
>>thanks again,
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reiko
photos