Baby bearded dragon not moving much, not eating.

Julesdsm

Member
Original Poster
Hi everyone.

We've had our baby bearded dragon for about a month now. A few days ago he stopped eating, and stopped moving much. He is having trouble walking and when he does move, he kinda drags himself with front and back legs, doesn't support himself up and run around .

I switched from a coil uvb to an arcadia t5 pro about 6 days ago. I had it on the screen, but now I mounted it inside the tank.

He has a basking light and basking spot is around 107. Cool side about 80. Taking temps with a digital probe type thermometer.

Tank is a 20 long.

I've been syringe feeding him repashy grub pie with some calcium powder mixed in. And daily soaks in warm water.

When he was eating on his own he had calcium dusted crickets and mixed greens, but he won't eat on his own at all anymore.

Is there anything else we can do? Couldn't get a vet appointment till next week.
PXL_20230308_210950523.jpg
 
Solution
Be careful with the heating pad, some get really hot 🔥 and breadies won't always move off them. I buy the cheap 20 dollar ones from Family Dollar. They don't get all that hot (as long as you don't fold them onto their selves) and they don't shut off automatically so you don't have to keep turning them back on.

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

He is certainly a little cutie.
He isn't able to move his back legs or is it just limited movement? He may have back leg weakness
from not enough UVB initially & not being able to absorb his calcium properly. At his age, they grow
rapidly & their bodies use up a good amount of calcium, for growth.
Did he enjoy going outside?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie
 

Julesdsm

Member
Original Poster
Hello,

He is certainly a little cutie.
He isn't able to move his back legs or is it just limited movement? He may have back leg weakness
from not enough UVB initially & not being able to absorb his calcium properly. At his age, they grow
rapidly & their bodies use up a good amount of calcium, for growth.
Did he enjoy going outside?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie
Hi Tracie,
He can move both front and back but just seems really weak. Too weak to support himself but he can kinda army crawl.

In the water he can move them in a swimming motion, but he really hasn't been moving much at all . He seems a little more alert today, but no difference otherwise.

Took him out again today, he looks around but doesn't move an inch.
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
I can't add much to this discussion, but i do want to send well wishes your way, I'm rooting for the little guy and hope he's ok.
One thing i can add, you can get Oxbow critical care on amazon, it comes in carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore. For a baby i would recommend carnivore, they need the protein. It's packed full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. It might help him get his energy back.
 

Julesdsm

Member
Original Poster
I can't add much to this discussion, but i do want to send well wishes your way, I'm rooting for the little guy and hope he's ok.
One thing i can add, you can get Oxbow critical care on amazon, it comes in carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore. For a baby i would recommend carnivore, they need the protein. It's packed full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. It might help him get his energy back.
Thank you, I'll check that out!
 

Julesdsm

Member
Original Poster
Just got back from the vet. She said he weight was ok, but that he was dehydrated. She gave him some fluids and prescribed Fortaz antibiotic injected every three days. She said to only syringe feed every other day and suggested the repashy grub pie, which we already have.

She didnt think it was Mbd, but was leaning towards an infection. She didnt sound very hopeful unfortunately. She gave us the option of euthenasia, but I dont want to give up on him yet, so we will continue to see how he does on the antibiotics. Poor Alfie, its so sad to see him in this state.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Just got back from the vet. She said he weight was ok, but that he was dehydrated. She gave him some fluids and prescribed Fortaz antibiotic injected every three days. She said to only syringe feed every other day and suggested the repashy grub pie, which we already have.

She didnt think it was Mbd, but was leaning towards an infection. She didnt sound very hopeful unfortunately. She gave us the option of euthenasia, but I dont want to give up on him yet, so we will continue to see how he does on the antibiotics. Poor Alfie, its so sad to see him in this state.
So they gave an antibiotic w/ out finding out if there was an actual infection? I suggest getting the oxbow critical care omnivore - found on Amazon - it's often given for dragons not eating - especially when they are sick - I am flagging post to Tracie
@Drache613
 

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Things to do:
Buy calcium powder
Material to raise surface for basking spot
Scenery decals for back of tank

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