Anorexic approx 2mo with failure to thrive

[woodnt]

Tough love has failed so far. Yest, he went after a cricket, but missed it. He quickly lost interest not trying again. It was day 3. He just started playing with his reflection in the feeder container. Today, no dice, so we broke down and gave him the boost, which he took just like normal.

 

[Esther19]

Bummer. Have you tried the BSFL? Mine started refusing crickets at a young age.

 

[woodnt]

Yes, did BSFL but he tired of those soon bwcoming anorexic again. Going away f the holidays so we'll try again after with something else.

 

[Esther19]

Merry Christmas! Have a safe, wonderful trip.

 

[woodnt]

Happy New Year everyone.

Strax is hanging in there. No feeders. Still syringe feeding. He is growing well. He is now 35 gms after the great work by our sitter while we were away during the holidays. Need to check his length, but right now, he is laying on me after feeding. Here is a snap:

I don't fear for his life at all anymore, but I just wish he would grow to his full natural length. I am doubting that will happen at this point.

He is much more active in the viv these days. Will keep trying feeders off and on.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Happy New Years to you as well!
Let us know if he has gained any weight. He sure has some great colors though!
I hope that something gives & he starts to eat on his own again.
You are doing great keeping him healthy through all of this.

Tracie

 

[woodnt]

He gained from 31 or 32 gm up to 35 gm while we were gone with our animal sitter. After feeding the same the week we got back, he lost a gm for us weighing 34gm. Not sure how/why. We have noticed him be a little more active in the viv, so perhaps he "worked it off." No growth in length even thought he seemed to look bigger. Maybe it was just being away for 12 days.

Our animal sitters mom things that Strax is in love with our animal sitter. Perhaps he was trying to impress her with his weight gain :lol:

 

[diamc]

Great that Strax is continuing to gain some wt, perfectly normal to go up or down a few grams a few days. Depends on how active they are, their pooping & eating. Awesome that he is more active in his viv.

Bet that the animal sitter is in love with Strax, bet he thinks a lot of the sitter too. Isn't it great to have someone you can depend on for great sitter care while you're away.

Thanks for the update.

 

[woodnt]

I weighed him earlier this week finding he was up to 37 gm. Over the past couple of days he had a major shed, too, which was exciting to see. Gone for every weekday this week to PA. The fam will be home for him though. We'll try feeders again when I get home.

 

[Esther19]

Hey! Good to hear from you. Thanks for checking in to let us know that Strax continues to gain. Wonderful news. One of these days he's going to surprise us all with his appetite for live food.

 

[woodnt]

I am having some problems with Praxis, Strax's "brother" that have me concerned. For those of you following with beardie experience, any input is welcome.

I have started a new thread here:

http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=204268

Thank you

 

[diamc]

I just posted on there Nathan. Hopefully it is helpful and relieves a little worry for you and your wife.

 

[woodnt]

Needing some help with Strax. He is pretty sick. Last time I weighed him, he was 34 gms. I have been away for a week, and now he weighs 24. I think he is dehydrated. His eyes are sunken and his head looks like the picks I've seen of dehydrated beardies. I'll post pics below.

He has been eating his boost, and I was thinking that was plenty of liquid, so we haven't been bathing him. We thought he was shedding around one eye, as only one eye was sunken, but when I got back, both are even more.

My wife bathed him earlier today, and she seemed to think he drank, but after I just bathed him, I'm thinking he wasn't really drinking. I have him very slowly around 3 cc (a lot ran out of his mouth) of water hoping to orally hydrate him. Then I put him in the bath below over a heating pad. He started breathing a little rapidly, so I fear I might have gotten some water down his windpipe. It wasn't constant breathing rapidly, but slow (almost see it stop) then some big deep breaths with his mouth open, then slow again with his mouth closed. There would be a little clicking sound with the deep breaths. I think he wasn't drinking for my wife, but not able to keep his head up.

We are going to bath him several times a day, but I didn't know if we should take him in where they might give him some subcutaneous injections of fluids. I fear he is pretty far down the dehydration severity.

I would love some advise.

Here are the pics:

 

[diamc]

Oh dear Nathan, so sorry to hear about this. You're right, he does look dehydrated and I have to be honest, I don't like the way he looks, especially his eyes. I highly recommend you do take him for some IV fluids and possibly a chest xray to see if he may have pneumonia. Do you have a herp vet near you?

If you don't know of one, perhaps this will help: http://www.herpvetconnection.com/texas.shtml

I have been discussing Strax with Nathan on FB and he is going to make sure he is kept at about 80 degrees tonight & is going to try to get him some IV fluids tomorrow.

Hopefully there can be some improvement. He has tried very hard & you & your wife certainly have too. Thinking of all of you.

Diane

 

[Esther19]

I'm thinking of all of you today, and sending positive thoughts and prayers.