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underweight beardy

gary1 Dec 23, 2003 05:22 AM

hi there, a few months back someone i know moved abroad and couldnt take there corn snake and beardy so me and my g/f took them both. the beardy looked a little skinny when we got him and he didnt eat much for the 1st couple of weeks. he is eating fine now but i still think he looks a bit skinnier than he should and definately a lot more than my other beardy.

i was just wondering if it would be safe to temporarily increase the amount of fatty food he is getting ? i know that some people use pink mice for their breeding females, i dont use them normally but would giving a couple of these (not at once) be ok ?
the other fatty thing in his diet is wax worms which we have already increase a little. we also feed supers, crickets, locust, and daily veg/greens

Replies (3)

BeginnersBasics Dec 23, 2003 07:04 AM

I think the first thing should be to find out why it is underweight. I would suggest a fecal done by the vet. You might also consider buying some Parazap. IT helps clean them out and yet also increases their appetite. Pinky mice are ok as a temporary measure, but I would only suggest 1 per week.

If this is an "older" dragon (adult), it may be very hard to make it gain weight this time of year anyway.... most of them slow down and don't want to know much about food right now.

I have also found that the Rep cal Juvi pellets help an underweight dragon gain weight in a short amount of time.

Good luck
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Lisa
www.beginnersbasics.com

W.Wedeking Dec 24, 2003 12:28 AM

I agree, you need to have a fecal exam done to make sure the problem isn't internal parasites.
You also need to check the temps to make sure they are accurate as well as cage size.

I wouldn't recommend using pinkies to gain weight simpley because it is the wrong kind of weight. It would be like you eating more Big Macs. You want HEALTHY weight, not excess fat that could be harmful to your beardie. Why don't you put up a picture so we can see for ourselves what you are talking about?
Wendy
Scales - Premium Exotic Reptiles

gary1 Dec 26, 2003 11:55 AM

my camera is broken just now so cant get a pic up. he isnt terribly underweight, not to the extent where i am worried...

i will take ur advice and seek some vetinary help tho. that way i can be 100% sure . thanks

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