Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male 8 month old bearded dragon has had three rounds of treatment for coccidia. During the third round he stopped eating. I have been force feeding him for a month now and although he is gaining weight since I started force feeding he refuses to eat on his own. The vet said to mix lactobacillus in his food and just keep force feeding him every other day or so.
The female I have went through the same treatments but she is eating on her own.
The male is having diarreah daily even though he tests negative for coccidia now.
Does anyone have any suggestions for getting him to eat.
Also he is separated from my female because even though he feels too sick to eat he doesn't feel too sick to try and mate with her.
Also how many hours of daylight verses darkness should they have.

what are you feeding the dragon? do you have all the correct lighting for him ex. uv lights?

I am feeding crickets, superworms, hornworms, waxworms (not too often) and dark green leafy vegetables mostly kale,mustard greens and dandilion greens from a health food store.
He has a mercury vapor UV light and his basking spot is at 108-110 the cool side is at about 80 his cage is 4ft long by 2ft wide by 2ft tall.

what are you feeding the dragon? do you have all the correct lighting for him ex. uv lights?

First read the link below of another post on this forum and it will explain what is going on inside your dragon.

The vet is right in keep feeding him the lactobacillus. Thats what he needs more than anything right now.

Also, males will stop eating when all they can think about is mating and it is not usually for a male to drop weight and even waste away if all he can think about is a female and mating. Keep them apart and where he can not see her, til he is eating and put back on weight.

Keep him well hydrated, diluted strawberry-kiwi gatorade is something most dragons like and it will replace some things in him that he is losing with the loose stools. slightly lower the side of his lips and place a drop there with your finger or a eyedropper, they will start licking it and you can add more on the tip of his nose.

Put a few crickets or superworms in a bowl they can not get out of and leave in with him, he needs to start back eating on his own as soon as possible, the longer you force feed him, the more he is going to be stubborn and NOT open his mouth voluntarily.. of course that does not mean to starve him... but try to encourage him this way to return to eating on his own
Cycle of coccidia treatment