clayandgizmo
Member
I've posted before but it seems it went too far down on the list to get any replies anymore.. For weeks now, I've been trying to feed my yearling dragon. I feed him butternut squash baby food most days and I still provide fresh veggies like collard greens and carrots, and his favorite fruits as well. I dust EVERYTHING with calcium and he always has plenty of water to drink.
He was never like this before, he used to have the biggest appetite of my beardies, even my larger ones!
I'm worried one of two things could be taking place.
Today, while I was feeding him, I figured I'd try to hold a cricket on tongs for him, just to see what he'd do. I've been doing this since he started becoming lethargic, but he doesn't really react. He didn't even glance at it, and kept walking around my room. I pried his mouth open gently and stuck the cricket in. Instantly, he began chewing and swallowed it. I did this for about 12 crickets, and every time he acted the same-- Like he was very hungry and that was what he wanted. But when I held it in front of him, he didn't react.
To follow up my new hypothesis, I shone my phone's flashlight a little ways away from his eyes. No shrinking of the pupils. A little closer, no shrinking. A little closer, no shrinking. They didn't change at all, could he be be going blind at a year old? His pupils are clear of cataracts, but he has no reaction to my finger being mere millimeters from his eye, and he doesn't react to bright light. If I move my finger slowly up and down, he doesn't follow it.
Also, I checked his mouth-- It is clear of rot or chipped teeth, or anything.
He has filled fat pads on his head and no signs of MBD.
I think he can hear me typing, so he's watching me. But I'm not sure if he can even see me.
Or, he could just have a parasite with no appetite.
Either way, I'm taking him to the vet ASAP, luckily we have one very near our home so it shouldn't be hard to take him.
Please give me your opinion, advice, etc. Anything will help! I just want to know what's wrong with my beardie, he's too young to be going through this!
CARE INFO:
-1 year old
-Reptisun 10.0 tube extending across the cage
-Heat bulb of about 75w
-Basking area of 105F , cool area of 82F.
-Eco Earth substrate
-2 large hides on either side of the enclosure
-Large water bowl that he can soak in if he chooses
-Food bowl for serving vegetables
He was never like this before, he used to have the biggest appetite of my beardies, even my larger ones!
I'm worried one of two things could be taking place.
Today, while I was feeding him, I figured I'd try to hold a cricket on tongs for him, just to see what he'd do. I've been doing this since he started becoming lethargic, but he doesn't really react. He didn't even glance at it, and kept walking around my room. I pried his mouth open gently and stuck the cricket in. Instantly, he began chewing and swallowed it. I did this for about 12 crickets, and every time he acted the same-- Like he was very hungry and that was what he wanted. But when I held it in front of him, he didn't react.
To follow up my new hypothesis, I shone my phone's flashlight a little ways away from his eyes. No shrinking of the pupils. A little closer, no shrinking. A little closer, no shrinking. They didn't change at all, could he be be going blind at a year old? His pupils are clear of cataracts, but he has no reaction to my finger being mere millimeters from his eye, and he doesn't react to bright light. If I move my finger slowly up and down, he doesn't follow it.
Also, I checked his mouth-- It is clear of rot or chipped teeth, or anything.
He has filled fat pads on his head and no signs of MBD.
I think he can hear me typing, so he's watching me. But I'm not sure if he can even see me.
Or, he could just have a parasite with no appetite.
Either way, I'm taking him to the vet ASAP, luckily we have one very near our home so it shouldn't be hard to take him.
Please give me your opinion, advice, etc. Anything will help! I just want to know what's wrong with my beardie, he's too young to be going through this!
CARE INFO:
-1 year old
-Reptisun 10.0 tube extending across the cage
-Heat bulb of about 75w
-Basking area of 105F , cool area of 82F.
-Eco Earth substrate
-2 large hides on either side of the enclosure
-Large water bowl that he can soak in if he chooses
-Food bowl for serving vegetables