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Need advice for my sick dragon

UroJade Mar 21, 2005 09:49 PM

My male hasnt been eating anyting but bugs willingly for a couple months and is down to 200grams, he's been to the vet already and the only think they can find wrong with him was on his blood test that he has elevated calcium levels?
has anyone had this problem before, know what can cuase it of what i can do to fix it?
can elevated calcium levels cause appitite loss? i've been feeding him smashed up repcal pellets,vegatable babie food, mostly squash and sweet potato, and a powdered food call "science recovery" that the vet gave me with a feeding syringe. I've been soaking him almost daily to dry and keep him hydrated.

since he'll eat bugs and seems mildly intrested in his food but doesnt touch it i was thinking a vibrating food dish might help to get him eating on his own.
anyting else i should add to his food?
other things i want to try are
electrolize
ectotherms dragon yummies, can maybe smash them and feed them instead of baby food
i should get him some probioticts maybe?
what about jumpstart?
i dont know why he stopped eating but at first i didnt think much of it he started in fall i think and i thought it was just the season changing because he eats less in winter.
he's always had a slim torso but avery thick tail and large fatpads on his head, and now i can see his hips and im really worried about him and dont know what to do,
the food that that vet gave me for him seemed to perk him up so im going to get some more of that aswell, im just hopeing someones seen something similair and knows what i can do for him

Replies (7)

dmlove Mar 22, 2005 08:15 PM

We cant really diagnose anything here. Are you sure that vet you brought him to is a CERTIFIED exotic reptile vet? They can fool you... - I have no idea what could be wrong. Keep hydrated and get in as much food as possible - get a fecal as well if you havnt already, and look for a more certified vet if thats the case.

Good luck!

Kevin - KDRKreatures
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David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

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UroJade Mar 22, 2005 09:29 PM

i dont know, how do i find out if she's certified? She seems to know what she's talking about and im really hoping she does becuase im in need of a good vet for my herps.
and yes did do a fecal and said he had a few cocidia (sp?) but not in amounts that should be cuasing him any problems.

PHLdyPayne Mar 22, 2005 09:05 PM

too much calcium in the body is just as bad as too little. Maybe cut back on the calcium suppliments and let him eat insects if that is what he is showing interest in. Check his temperatures, basking especially. Did the vet do a fecal as well?
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PHLdyPayne

UroJade Mar 22, 2005 09:31 PM

yes she did a fecal and said he just had a few coccidia and not enough that that should be causeing him any problems

dmlove Mar 23, 2005 06:25 AM

Alright - As LdyPyne said, I would cut back on the calcium supplements and see how it goes. The vet sounds good, sorry if I jumped the gun there a little bit! Good luck!
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David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

Email

UroJade Mar 23, 2005 04:33 PM

about how much food an water should i be feeding him to keep the weight on? i ordered electrolize,jumpstart,and dragon yummies to add to his feedings, i figure anything that might help is worth it, and i got him a jitterbug bowl to see if teh movment might get him to eat some food on his own

dmlove Mar 24, 2005 12:05 PM

I would try to feed him any and everything he eats. If he isnt eating willingly, i wouldnt over-feed him because you never know if they will just throw it up later. Are you force feeding? Be careful if he isnt taking it willingly, there is a chance of asperating them (small but still there).

Kevin - KDRKreatures
-----
David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

Email

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