HELP! My Dragon Won't Eat Anything!

[Selkie1993]

Hi Everyone


A month ago, my bearded dragon was seen by a vet for lack of appetite. We later discovered he had some parasites, given medication (he's on his last dose next week) and I thought by now his appetite would return. However, Drogon hasn't eaten anything green in weeks nor has he had interest in any of his feeders. On his good days, he will take food from my hand (a few bugs at most), but I don't want him to get used to that behavior. He's still doing well with baths, he's active, alert, and curious. His initial weight at the vet visit was 692 g and has since dropped to 680 g.

Should I be concerned? Do you have any idea what's going on or how I can get him to eat again? I'm really concerned and frustrated I just want my baby to be okay!

Thank you!

[ComicBookMama]

I wouldn't worry too much yet, as that's not too much of a weight drop - though others may need to chime in if I'm mistaken. I think I recall reading that some of the meds for parasites can have a negative impact on the appetite, but I'm not sure how long that lasts for... maybe ABHD or Drache could let you know.

Have you tried organic pumpkin or squash baby food, fed via dropper? Maybe that would jump-start his appetite? What's Drogon's usual salad and bug menu?

[Selkie1993]

I wouldn't worry too much yet, as that's not too much of a weight drop - though others may need to chime in if I'm mistaken. I think I recall reading that some of the meds for parasites can have a negative impact on the appetite, but I'm not sure how long that lasts for... maybe ABHD or Drache could let you know.

Have you tried organic pumpkin or squash baby food, fed via dropper? Maybe that would jump-start his appetite? What's Drogon's usual salad and bug menu?

Regarding his usual feeding, he used to eat every day and was pretty good with his greens! I provided spring mix, his favorite, along with dubias, BSFL, mealies, and supers, all rotated through the week for variety with calcium daily and multi-vite powder a few times a week.

I tried the syringe method and he was pretty good with organic canned pumpkin, and sometimes I made him a smoothie with extra greens. He was good with it, but for some reason the vet said not to do that too often?

Im so lost and frustrated

[ComicBookMama]

I wouldn't worry too much yet, as that's not too much of a weight drop - though others may need to chime in if I'm mistaken. I think I recall reading that some of the meds for parasites can have a negative impact on the appetite, but I'm not sure how long that lasts for... maybe ABHD or Drache could let you know.

Have you tried organic pumpkin or squash baby food, fed via dropper? Maybe that would jump-start his appetite? What's Drogon's usual salad and bug menu?

Regarding his usual feeding, he used to eat every day and was pretty good with his greens! I provided spring mix, his favorite, along with dubias, BSFL, mealies, and supers, all rotated through the week for variety with calcium daily and multi-vite powder a few times a week.

I tried the syringe method and he was pretty good with organic canned pumpkin, and sometimes I made him a smoothie with extra greens. He was good with it, but for some reason the vet said not to do that too often?

Im so lost and frustrated

I would feel frustrated and confused, too. I know that not many people do syringe feed for long term just because of the extra work it takes (making the smoothies and all), but I'm honestly perplexed as to why the vet would say you SHOULDN'T do it very often. I'll have to defer to a more experienced owner on this.

Maybe also try to change up the greens and veggies you're offering? Maybe try arugula for a bit - my boy has always liked that - or something else that he doesn't often get? Or try altering the way the salads are presented... I've started grating yellow squash and carrots, and Figment likes them pretty well that way, when he wouldn't touch squash as cubes or carrots as slivers/ peels.

Wish I had more to offer!