Baby beardie WILL NOT eat. Don't know what to do anymore

[KelseyA]

Okay, this will probably be long and I apologize in advance.

We got our baby beardie on February 2nd from a pet store (I know, don't lecture me.) She's a little over 7 inches long, so I think that translates to about 7 weeks old? Not entirely sure. Since we've gotten her I have fed her everything from baby dubias, crickets, wax worms, black soldier fly larvae. If I manage to get her to eat its about 1-3 a DAY, but that's all. She just turns her nose up to everything. Last night we force fed 4 waxworms because she's getting skinny and frankly, I'm afraid she's going to die.

She isn't impacted; she's pooped a normal poop every day since we've gotten her and it's not watery at all. We bathe her at least every other day, she shedded in the middle of last week and everything went smoothly. She also has brown stress marks on her belly. I know that there's usually an adjustment period, especially for babies, but I really don't think it should last almost two whole weeks.

Her basking surface temp is anywhere between 100-115 (I know 115 is high but it's only in one small spot of her basking log). Basking air temp is mid-80s (I know it's a little too low, going to get a heat pad for side of the tank on Friday I think), cool air temp is high 70's. Her substrate is Repticarpet. She has the ReptiSun 10.0 UVB bulb and a 100w basking light.

I truly do not know what to do. I don't want to have to take her back to the pet store but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if she died on me. I'm a new reptile owner and I'm trying my best but I'm just so lost and I feel so horrible. Pleeease help me.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, can you post a few pics of the baby [ full body shots ] as well as the tank showing the lights. ? Here;s how to post pics :
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XIMG to attach pics

It may just be an unusually long period of adjustment or it may be something more serious. Does he drink when you bathe him or any other time ? If not, you can start offering oral hydration by using a small spray bottle to aim a small gentle spray on his snout. Spray,stop repeat to give him a drink.

Keep offering the small insects and be sure he sees right where they are, drop one right near him in the tank so it crawls by him.

 

[KelseyA]

Here you go!

Silver is basking, black dome is CHE, long tube is UVB

 

[KelseyA]

Forgot to add, she does usually drink when we bathe her. We try feeling multiple times a day, letting them fall in front of her, holding them in front of her, off to the side, in a shallow bowl. We've tried everything it feels like. Nothing works or catches her interest.

 

[AHBD]

O.K, good pics. He is a bit thin but not dangerously so. Of course he needs to eat more, but give it some time. Try the hydration method I mentioned , if he [ or she ] is dehydrated that can affect the appetite. Or give him a soak every day since he drinks.

Also, how tall is the tank ? If it's more than 14" the uvb will not be strong enough from that distance and through the screen unless the Reptisun is a t5 rather than a t8.

If he doesn't begin to eat more within a week you should have a fecal test done by an experienced vet to see if he needs meds. for parasites. In the meantime you might get some baby food chicken [ no added ingredients or salt ] and baby food green beans + squash to try to get a little more in him. You can also squish a dubia + rub it lightly on his snout to see if that triggers his appetite.

 

[KelseyA]

Okay, great. The tank is 12" tall so it should be good. I have squash on hand so I'll try that along with the hydration method. Hopefully it works! Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[AHBD]

You're welcome. Try the squished bug trick, too.

 

[KelseyA]

I just tried dripping water on her nose and she drank for a couple minutes then immediately ate two wax worms after! Yay! Not sure if it was a coincidence or she was just thirsty but I'm so glad she ate on her own!

 

[AHBD]

That's great ! She may have been a bit dehydrated. Try that again tomorrow, for tonight you don't want her to eat too much since it's getting late. If you still have crickets, dubia or Phoenix worms, use those rather than waxworms. Hopefully she's going to start eating more now.