Baby Dragon not eating at all, and is always sleeping

[Samson595]

About 4 and a half weeks ago, I got a baby dragon I've named Samson from PetSmart and for the first week he was perfect; Eating frequently, running around his cage, and being very alert.

Then about half way through the second week he didn't eat for two days, giving us quite the scare. He then went back to normal right before our PetSmart 2-week warrenty ran out, and we didn't take him back because we thought he was ok.

He ate and was very perky until midway through the third week, when he suddenly became very lethargic, sleeping all day and barely moving. He's been like that for a week and a half now and he won't take liquids from a syringe anymore.
He pees twice a day but hasn't pooed in a while. He's gotten so lethargic and hasn't eaten for so long that we're getting worried he could die soon.


More Info:

• 
  Substrate: Repti carpet
  Exo terra 100W temp 105/110
  Exo terra UV 50/75W(?) temp 80
  Crickets, Kale, and countless other things have failed in getting any kind of recognition from him.
  This is his UV spot:
  
  
  And this is his basking spot:
  

Any possible reasons as to why? Or any solutions? We can't afford to take him to a vet.

 

[ws6veteran]

I am having the same problem with my beardie I bought from petsmart on the 17th... here in AZ. I just posted on it here is my post. viewtopic.php?f=45&t=199509

Only thing I would recommend for you and the only thing I can think is the reptisun 10.0 bulb as the bulb they sell at petsmart especially the compact bulbs are no bueno. I turned my zilla 50 series off and have him outside for an hour + everyday and waiting for my reptisun to come in. I am totally stumped and i'm hoping this is the problem because his stools have become hard again and the vet said his parasites have passed them and they want to put him on steroids to eat... which is insane.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Get a reptiSUN 10.0 tube. not compact or coil. get a tube. Also, make it so that he gets the UVB on the basking spot. They will not balance it out between the two spots.

 

[Samson595]

Turns out we actually COULD take him to the vet, and we did. He's currently on parasite meds and is much happier.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Make sure he is VERY hydrated and fed. also dust his food. the antibiotics are very hard on them.

 

[Samson595]

We are. We've given him a few drops of water that he eagerly slurped up. Tomorrow we're going to try crickets/sweet potato baby food.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Use chicken baby food if he refuses live feeders

 

[Samson595]

Thanks. Will do.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

Kale is barely nutritious... Give him turnip, mustard or collard greens. Glad to hear he's getting better

 

[Rawbbeh]

Might I suggest something that I found can drastically improve a bearded dragons eating habits and even behaviors?

If your beardie is in a tank or other kind of cage with clear sides...COVER up three of those sides with paper or cardboard or something. Beardies are prey to predators...to put them in a tank or enclosure where they are completely exposed and "naked" can cause your beardie stress and make them more prone to hide and therefore stay less active or even in cooler areas of their cage (making their metabolism slow down)

I suggest this to all new bearded dragon owners and have heard multiple times about immediate changes in their bearded dragon's behavior.

For covering the walls of a baby tank, I prefer to use brown cardboard as it's darker than just white paper and I feel it gives a better sense of protection.

 

[Samson595]

Might I suggest something that I found can drastically improve a bearded dragons eating habits and even behaviors?

If your beardie is in a tank or other kind of cage with clear sides...COVER up three of those sides with paper or cardboard or something. Beardies are prey to predators...to put them in a tank or enclosure where they are completely exposed and "naked" can cause your beardie stress and make them more prone to hide and therefore stay less active or even in cooler areas of their cage (making their metabolism slow down)

I suggest this to all new bearded dragon owners and have heard multiple times about immediate changes in their bearded dragon's behavior.

For covering the walls of a baby tank, I prefer to use brown cardboard as it's darker than just white paper and I feel it gives a better sense of protection.

That sounds like a good idea! I shall do that post haste.

 

[CountofCasualty]

Be careful with the parasite meds. Depending on the one you're using it can cause problems with the kidneys. Not saying the vet made a mistake. What type of parasites did your little one be positive for?

 

[Samson595]

He's not moving at all. His eyes have sunk back into his head and we can't tell if he's breathing. Either he's in a coma or...

EDIT: We're having his funeral right now. Bye baby Sammy.

 

[CountofCasualty]

Give him a bath and double check those temps. I'd PM Tracie as well(Drache16) for her advice on the subject.

 

[Samson595]

Ok. He was avoiding basking as well so that was bad.