Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have kept a very close eye on my dragon, he still has not eaten. I have tried putting him into a different feeding area, bought 1/8 sized crickets for him, and he just stands there he doesn't even look at them, he just closes his eyes. I have tried putting them in his normal tank and still nothing not even an interest. I have been misting him with water but he seems to be very lethargic. I am worried becuase he is so small and it has been 4 days since he has eaten. It just seems like such a long time for a little guy. Any advice? Is my beardie going to make it? Should i take him to a vet? is there anything a vet could do for him?

When this happens to one of mine, I take some powdered repcal pellet, mix it with some pedialite to make a soup and hand feed it with a syringe (needleless). You can also add a little babyfood for flavor. Just put a drop on their nose and they'll usually lap it right up, you may have to pry the first drop between the lips so they get a taste of it. Good luck

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

Babies need higher temps so the first thing is to double check that 105-115 surface temps. Without proper temps he cannot digest and will not eat. Also if he is a new baby it takes some time before they settle into a new enclosure. For babies the simpler the cage the better. A basking rock, and hide is all that is needed in the tank. If it is a glass tank you can try to cover up the sides with paper cause young ones can stress out easily if they feel vulnerable, and open. You could supplement him with some baby foods like chicken, sweet potato, and squash with the calcium/multi vitamins added to get him through this period, but try feeding his normal food (crickets) daily. The sooner he eats normal food the better, but after 4 days I would get something in him even baby food so he doesn't become lethargic or dehydrated to where he can't hunt. Don't force feed, but just use a dropper and place a drop on his snout, or part the side of the lip and put some in there so he tastes it, and he should start to lick and eat it without forcing. I would bring the vet a stool sample to check for parasites once he goes for you. Parasites can cause the loss of appetite.
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ok went to meijer and bought baby food, chicken, sweet potato's and squash. Sat dow with a syringe and dropped some on the front of his nose, and nothing. so i forced his my open and put a bit in, he wouldn't swallow, so i iwiped it off his face and then he swallowed, we went on like this for awhile, he didn't really eat too much, and started to get really lathargic in my hand. Which made me start to cry because i thought i was loosing him right there. He felt cold so i thought maybe he needed to warm up and then i can try again. so i put him back in his tank under his heat lamp and with in a few moments he had his head up and ran around. I spray some water on him and he drank a few drops. Should i try to feed him some sweet potato's again or wait awhile?

If you think he's that lethargic he seems like he's going to die on you I would definitely get him an appointment to see a reptile vet. I would leave him be for tonight, he sounds stressed by what you described (eyes closing). I wouldn't force food in his mouth, just part the side of the lip and put a drop in so he gets a taste, and if he licks go ahead and give another drop. Next time you try this in the morning add some water to the food so it's a runny consistency, and see if he will lap it up for you. I would see if you can drop it on his snout without taking him out or picking him up as this can be causing the stress, and him to freeze up on you and not swallow. Keeping handling to a minimum. Don't give up on the little one, young dragons can go through a period of stress when new to an environment. I had one that was scared of crickets, and would close her eyes and not eat. Not sure if yours is the same way but to many crickets dumped in at once would overwhelm her and she would not eat, but when I slowly put in a few at a time she responded much better and ate for me. Give this a try with him. Good luck with the little one.
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www.Mystical-Dragons.com

I know how stressed and worried you must be over this. From your previous post it sounds like you really did your background homework and are prepared to give this little guy the care he needs. Good for you.

A few things: You say it gets cooler at night? How cool? While nighttime temps should drop, I find that keeping some belly heat available at about 85 degrees F, 24 hrs a day, is a good thing. Babies also need a "cave" where they can hide. I personally put one on each end of the cage. Like was already suggested, try not to handle him to feed him right now if you don't have to. Just think how big and predator-like you must seem to a 4 1/2" baby. Dragons seem to subscribe to the "if I can't see it it will go away, right?" school of stress behaviors, hence the eye-closing. He may also have been tiring, from stress and just sleepy-time.

Do you have your lights on a timer? Regular light cycles are important. About an hour after he wakes up in the morning, and has a chance to get warm, try dropping the babyfoods thinned with water or Pedialyte on his nose like suggested, without removing him from his cage. It may take some time before he begins to lap, so fill the feeding syringe so you have plenty, but don't expect him to drink it all. Repeat throughout the day. Also offer a dish of very finely chopped greens/veggies/moistened pellets (if you're using them). Live prey may be too intimidating until he is acclimated.

It can take time to acclimate to a new environment and begin feeding normally, but you don't want to risk dehydration so keep up the food supplementation until he starts to eat regularly. You will also want to scoop up the first little poop you see, ASAP, baggie it and get it to your vet for testing, also ASAP. If he is diagnosed with parasites and prescribed medicines, come back here and ask about other things you should be doing alongside the medical treatment--these other things can make a world of difference to your dragon's overall well-being.
If he does not lap liquids at all get him to a herp vet for supportive care ASAP. If you don't know one and you are in an area with a local herpetological society, call for a recommendation or ask around her for anyone local to you.

Have patience, keep working with him and keep us posted. Best of luck to you and the little guy.

michele

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3.2 Bearded Dragons (Rescues)
1.0 Corn snake (Rescue)
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4.5 Royal (Ball) Pythons (3 rescues)
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No, it's NOT a big house

Sounds like everyone has given good advice and I know you are very worried. We have all been there at one time or other over one beardie or many and I just want to say do not give up on the little guy. I used a pedialite and baby food mixture in the past
and know it has saved lives until a VET can be reached or a natural cure can be achieved. Best wishes and keep us informed.

my dragon was small. I fed him via syringe for over a month!! Once everything is not so brand new to you things will get better. Try to remember that if you start to freak out. The best thing you can have for your beardie is a calm, level-headed state of mind to make good decisions. Just keep trying to follow advice as best you can and be confident you are doing what is best for your beardie.

6 mos from now you'll be holding your beardie and remember how hectic things once were. I think it gets easier with time and experience.

Good luck!!
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Rob Talkington