Baby beardie refusing to eat....

[Arctopus]

I bought my little Eli (thats his/her name, dont know yet!) two weeks before Christmas, He was alert, good body weight, and in overall good health. As soon as i got him home in his new environment, he at at least 10 crickets and seemed too be doing just fine. My setup is a 29 gallon tank, repticarpet, zilla 5.0 T8 desert UVB (clear panel was removed to allow UVB rays to come throught) a zoo med basking spot light, an under tank heating pad for night time, water dish big enough for him to soak in, and a small dish for his greens, a small rock cave to sit on, and a driftwood log to reach his basking spot. The basking temp. is between 100-110 degrees F, cool side 80 degrees F, and an over all temp of around 90 degrees F. The tank never drops below 70 degrees F at night. For the first couple weeks he was eating like a champion, 20 crickets at least a day, dusted twice a week with zoomeds reptical calcium/multivitamins with D3, small portions of collard, mustard, and dandelion greens, with a little bit of squash. About 4 days ago he rejected all food given, so I tried wax worms, chicken and squash baby food with calcium mixed in. He only tasted the baby food and then rejected it. Ive had reptiles all my life up until a few years ago, and decided i would like to get back into herps. I have all the correct needs for this little guy, and my good friend who has over 50 reptiles in his own house who checked out my setup to make sure it was good, yet my baby is getting skinny, not eating and sleeping more than usual. I called the nearest herp vet, but he won't be available for more than two weeks. Eli is alert still, but refusing to devour his food. Im extremely worried he will diminish to the point of death, and that makes me sad!!! Any suggestions on why he might be acting this way? please help

sincerely, Pj

 

[Arctopus]

Also, he is drinking water and going poop, even though he hasn't gotten much nourishment..... I'm at a total loss!!!!!

 

[Arctopus]

*** also, my baby is about 7 inches long and (not quite sure) 2 months old...

 

[Arctopus]

no one?

 

[Grogshla]

hey buddy change your uvb. Get a reptisun10 tube or an arcadia 12 tube. They are the best for your dragon and will bring him back to eating. Allow your dragon to get within 7-10 inches from this tube.

Also just try and feed him small crickets and chopped up green beans. He will eat if he is hungry. Small crickets have soft shells unlike other foods and great to digest.

I would give him a warm bath in water up to his shoulders. DO this for 20 mins every few days. He can get hydration from this and might pass some impaction if he has it.

I would be getting his basking temp to 110 it needs to be higher for baby dragons so they can digest and keep active.

Maybe post up a pic of your dragon as what you think might be thin might be ok you never know.

Also a pic of your set up will allow us to see if there is a fault somewhere that can be fixed

 

[Grogshla]

also don't use any night bulb.
Get rid of the under tank heater they are no good. Dragons feel heat from above. When you try and feed him let him warm up for an hour or so then try and feed him.

 

[Arctopus]

This is him when i bought him http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1576302082546&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210#!/photo.php?fbid=1576302522557&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210&pid=31313604&id=1085400210

This is him now http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1576302082546&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210#!/photo.php?fbid=1576302802564&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210&pid=31313605&id=1085400210

this is his set up http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073327&id=1085400210&saved#!/photo.php?fbid=1576312922817&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073327&id=1085400210&saved#!/photo.php?fbid=1576313242825&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210&pid=31313624&id=1085400210

This is what he has been doing now http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073327&id=1085400210&saved#!/photo.php?fbid=1576303042570&set=a.1576301882541.2073327.1085400210&pid=31313606&id=1085400210

 

[Arctopus]

contacted a Vet, wants 90 dollars for visit, 45 for fecal sample, and more costs for treatments and medicine....its out of the question because I dont have the money to do that. His health looks declining, and hes sleeping on the floor. I hope an admin of this site sees this thread soon....

 

[AHBD]

As Grogshla mentioned, the undertank heater may be your problem, it makes the baby too hot at night and can dehydrate. Also, the other poster mentioned getting the proper UVB bulb. This could make all the difference. Since he started out healthy, hopefully a few simple changes will help. Try giving some squash or green pea baby food with calcium powder via syringe. And give shallow baths [ support the baby at all times since it's weak ] for about 10 minutes to give it a chance to drink. Did you say what the substrate was ?

 

[minipumpkin]

as the others said change the uvb to the once suggested.

if the little guy still isnt feeding then you might have to force feed till he gets over his bad spell. you do this with a small syringe. use baby food chicken or turkey mix in with a little calcium or vitamins and a little bit of water. try putting a little on the end of his noes first if he doesnt take it then you pull down on the beard just enough to get the syringe in(they dont like it at all)


other than that the vets is the only way youll find out whats wrong with him.

 

[Arctopus]

well i bought a reptisun 10.0 and was feeding him repta aid......he passed away this morning

RIP Eli

:'(

 

[minipumpkin]

oh thats sad to hear.

 

[AHBD]

I'm truly sorry, very much so , for you losing your little guy. You gave it a try and did your best.Take care.

 

[Vacren]

I'm sorry to hear about Eli. Which pet store did you get him from?

 

[Arctopus]

I bought him from Slither and Swim in Connecticut, they are very knowledgeable but are over priced, and Ive had friends who bought reptiles from them which have died for no apparent reason. I will not be giving them any more of my money, or support.