Sorry for the length but I really need some help please.
My 5 month old rankins dragon stopped earing about 3 weeks ago now and was burying under the substrate. He went to the vet last week and they said impaction (I has already tried baths) and we tried to clear but on Monday he went in for an enema. He seemed a little brighter but still not earing. I've been feeding him with a pipette and he will take a little. Yesterday he refused to eat anything then when he did he was sick. Since then he has not moved from where he went to sleep last night and isnt really opening his eyes. I've called the vet but they aren't really sure but said I could take him this afternoon if I wanted. I do t want to stress him more if they cant help him.
He is in a 4ft wooden viv with repti sun UVB strip bulb. Hos basking temp is 41-43, his hot end is 36 and his cool end is 26. At night he has a ceramic bulb and vet said to keep at 25 while he isnt feeling right.
People say he is too young to brumate, but could he be? <<< definitely not old enough to bromate and this is not brumation.
If the vet a REPTILE VET ?
Giving an enema to a even a full grown otherwise healthy dragon is VERY RISK , people have had impacted but otherwise active and apparently healthy dragon die within hours of having an enema administered.
What substrate was your hatchling rankins on ?
How old is the dragon ?
How much does he weigh ?
Can you get a bottle of Oxbow critical care carnivore mix , you'll have to feed him in very small measured portion orally by syringes , if he licks the drops of the liquid food off his lips and snout this will be a good sign , even if time consuming ( he can come good with intensive care and tender loving care from you , lots of small per day to ensure he gets his daily ration of food , and to ensure his kidneys aren't overloaded ).
My water skink Fluffy was rescued in a similarly lethargic and very sick state as your hatching seems to be in ( very limp and near dead ) , and I nursed her back to health using
>> manuka honey (on her injuries and as a sweetener / appetizer at the start of feeding session given orally by syringe ( gentle approach = deposit some on snout and lips )
>> VetaFarm Reptile CrittaCare ( their equiv to OXBOW , comes as a thick slurry) given by syringe with a nozzle on it
>> VetaFarm HerpaBOOST , given once she started getting active and interactive , also a thick slurry.
She's been with us for nearly 4 years now and is in prime condition and one my best pets.
Took a few months to get her rehabilitated enough that she was feeding from a feeding dish and catching her own crickets and mealworms , she still likes the occasional handfeeding session , an excuse to come out of her tub and have some daddy funtime.
Is there anything I can so to help him and has anyone come across this before, I'm so worried and with vets stumped i don't know what I can do.
I should add he no longer has lose substrate
I think it's possible some substrate may still be bunging him up, I'd be asking for xrays to see if there are still any impactions or blockages if he lasts long enough .
I think a second option from a reptile vet in another practice is in order.