Anorexic approx 2mo with failure to thrive

[diamc]

I'm so hoping he will do better tomorrow. They love being wrapped up in a small towel or blanket to lay on your chest. The human interaction and cuddling is great for them. Good that you will be able to get 2 feedings in tomorrow.

I just looked at all your wonderful animals, can tell that they are ALL very special and all so unique. Thanks for sharing them.

Right now, we don't have too many critters. We have had a lot over the years though, all very special too. Cats, dogs, turtle, chickens, other beardies, etc. Now we have a leatherback female beardie named Angeline (Angie for short) who loves all sorts of power tools, loves to interact and do whatever we do. She wants constant input and there is NO doubt when she isn't happy as her colors turn dark as fast as a chameleon. She is 17 mo old. She is red and orange.
We also have Loki who came from a breeder on the forum who also has a 2 headed beardie named Zak-n-Wheezie and they are 6 yrs old. Loki is a hypo beardie is almost 13 mo old and he is yellow and orange. He loves his cuddles and is very affectionate and also content to just hang out with us. So, extremely gentle.
We also have 3 chickens, have had a lot more over the years and one even lived to be 13 yrs old.

 

[woodnt]

I don't know the beardie colors well at all. I don't even know what kind I have. Yours sound wonderful. I so hope to have a long life with them. We normally have them on our chests. I often pull my shirt up and let Strax on my belly to get more heat. Praxis will walk from my chest over across the bed to my wife. If the dogs get rambunctious, she will come running back to my chest for protection. They are so sweet. So want Stax to be grow up and be big and strong.

Will post tomorrow evening when I get home.

 

[woodnt]

Strax wasn't interesting in eating the chicken/squash mix this morning. We forced 0.2cc in at 0.1cc increments and he swallowed that. Then gave him 0.1cc of soy yogurt-alternative which he got down.

Tried the Zilla Jumpstart molasis-based supplement just now when I got back from Dallas. Put a little dab on his nose. Nothing. Put a little bit on his lips (appropriate term???). Nothing. I side-separated his lips and put a little there. This got him to licking it off a bit. Then it was the cutest thing, he put his head down on the paper towel to wipe that sticky stuff off rubbing his lips side to side (which I had a video). He must hate sticky, just like me! He did that twice. Never could get him to just start licking it out of desire or to just lick it off. Also had put a dollop in front of him hoping he might lick it, but no. We ended up forcing 0.1cc of it, but when he closed his mouth, most of it just smushed out the side of his mouth and ran down his throat not getting much in i fear. We did see the most activity of licking with this stuff, but nothing about really willful eating. He was active trying to run and jump around before we forced him, but still fell asleep (or shut down, if that is more appropriate) when handled for force-feeding. Seems to be a lot of fat in this Zilla stuff and although it isn't labeled, it must have a fair bit of simple carbs, both of which are great for energy, but no protein to speak of where the chicken has little fat but good protein and simple and complex carbs in the squash.

We'll feed him again in a few hours. Any recommendations on what we should give? Baby food vs Jumpstart? So ready for this to turn around. We want our hungry self-eating guy back. Should we give him live food for a feeding a day like a calcium-dusted Phoenix (he used to love them) or a silkworm or stick with the perhaps easier to digest baby food and/or Jumpstart?

Although initially a little lethargic, I was encouraged at his desire to get away and even jump. Makes me think there is still fight in him. At about 7pm CDT, I plan to get him out and lay him on my chest or stomach for some socialization apart from feedings (which cause stress). Plan on another feeding about 8pm. Lights out for him is around 9pm (lights on around 7am).

Thanks again for help. I am always grateful.

Nathan

 

[Gail]

Can you mix the jump start in with the baby food? If its wasn't so thick and sticky it might be easier to get him swallowing it.

 

[woodnt]

Can you mix the jump start in with the baby food? If its wasn't so thick and sticky it might be easier to get him swallowing it.

I can sure try. That is a good idea.

 

[diamc]

It does sound like he is a little more feisty, that's good. It doesn't sound like he is too fond of the Jump Start by itself. You certainly could try to mix a little in some baby food but I found that it was hard to mix it in very well. If you warmed it up a little, it might help. There also is another product that works very well and they seem to like, you could even mix it with a little baby food applesauce or anything else you think he might like. I have used it multiple times over the years. Here's what it looks like:

You can read about it and even order it here: http://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Repta-Boost-Insectavore-Carnivore/dp/B000634CL4 I know you use Amazon and you said you can get items in 2 days.

Would be a good idea to try to encourage him to eat a phoenix worm or cricket first each time by himself. Then, if that doesn't work, you could continue the baby food, I'm hoping he will start taking it on his own rather than having to force it or any worms. He HAS to start turning around.

One more thing I just thought of is that it would be a good idea to cut his awake time back to 12 hrs if you can to help him get the rest he needs to build strength. If that isn't possible with the hrs you keep and since you want to give him 2 feeding a day, that might not work for you but just thought I would mention it. How are his eyes looking when he's awake, is he keeping them open any more frequently?

 

[woodnt]

He just gave a very weird body movement while walking and vomited what we gave him. Looked like the baby food from earlier today.

He is very lethargic. Won't wake up and really move with any of the tricks that have worked before.

I think he is dying. I fear he won't make it through the night. Not always breathing, either. Color is darker.

So very sad.

 

[diamc]

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO sorry to hear this.

 

[diamc]

Hold him and wrap him up in a soft small towel and stroke his back. Do you think he might have some Jump Start in his throat perhaps? Is he gasping for air?

 

[woodnt]

Hold him and wrap him up in a soft small towel and stroke his back. Do you think he might have some Jump Start in his throat perhaps? Is he gasping for air?

I don't know about the Jumpstart. I would think the vomiting would have cleared it. He is holding his front legs close to his body rather than out. I had him in a hanky. No, he is not gasping for air at all, but isn't breathing heavily and for a time seemed to not be breathing, but I stimulated him and he started breathing again.

I put him in his viv to warm up a bit, but I'll go get him and use our human heating blanking and stroke him.

 

[diamc]

The poor thing, we all wanted him to pull through this...............

 

[woodnt]

He just feels stiff. His body doesn't want to flex much. Seems dehydrated to me. Don't know if we should bath or not because of the stress. Gave him 0.3cc of water about 30 mins ago to try to help that.

 

[diamc]

Sometimes baths will help revive them and make them feel better. Would you just be able to hold him in the palm of your hand with his vent in the warm water? Or does he absolutely hate it usually?

 

[Esther19]

I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[diamc]

I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Me too!