Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I addition to my BD, I also have 2 water dragons. Story in a nut shell:

I had them caged together. I noticed the female starting to get very lethargic and not looking so good. I got her to the vet right away and was told that the male was beating her up when I wasn't around. She was in really bad shape due to stress and physical abuse from the male. I was heartbroken. I seperated them immediately and she now has her own 'house'. The vet told me she didn't have much hope for her and sent me on my way (I wasn't really impressed with her...she made me feel horrible to the point of tears). This was about 3 months ago and I am happy to say she is still with me. I have gotten her to eat and have to give her calcium through a syringe. However, right now she will only eat crickets (sometimes) superworms and mealworms. I do dust her food. I know I need to get something 'substantial' into her such as pinkies or even feeder fish to 'bulk' her up......but she just refuses. The male eats 2 pinkies a week and is absolutely beautiful and very healthy. My question is.....does anyone have any idea of what I could give her to fatten her up and give her the nutrition she so desperately needs? Should I be 'forcefeeding' her and if so with what and how? I have posted on the WD forum but I really prefer it here. I would be ever so grateful for any suggestion any of you may have. I don't want to lose her.

Sorry for the long post!!

Thanx

Christina

If it were my animal... I'd never forcefeed an animal that was eating on its own. She might know more about her own requirements than you do, and might be refusing pinks for a reason. Crix and worms are both pretty high in fat and protein so I would just give her as much of those as she wanted. You might also want to try roaches if you can get some.

That's just if it were my lizard, though.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

I hate the thought of 'forcefeeding'. I have just gotten this advice from a couple others. Do you think I should give her more superworms? She gets about 10 per week now. I am just concerned that she isn't getting enough fat in her diet. She is a horrible dull color and very skinny.

Thank you for your response!! I appreciate all the help I can get.

Christina

I know it's gonna be expensive... but... if she's skinny, I'd give her as many as she can eat! That's actually why I like pinkies, more food for your money. Oh well.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

I agree 100% about force feeding. You may want to try some silkworms too. My friends WD went NUTS for them!
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Stacey

Force feeding is very stressful to any animal. I would recommend taking her to a qualified vet first for examination and a fecal. Find out why she isn't putting on weight and eating as much as you like. I also suggest posting this on the water dragon forum, I am sure there are poeple there with experience with water dragons.

I agree about the force feeding.....that is why I haven't done it so far. I know I would not want to be force fed lol. I thought I had taken her to a qualified vet as she is one of the only reptile vets in my area. She was terribly nasty though.
As I stated in my original post, I did post on the WD forum but so far, haven't gotten ANY responses whatsoever. That was my reasoning for posting here as I see by signatures that there are alot of people here with WD's.
Thank you so much for your input, I appriciate you taking the time!!!

Christina