Baby Duckie failing to thrive? Not eating

[Dragonmommie]

I posted in the introductions last week. I've had Duckie since last Tuesday night. She was 4 grams when I took her to the vet last Friday - 1 week ago. Her fecal was clear. She is in a 40g breeder tank. Basking hovers around 105. Reptisun 10.0 (not high output one) UVB mounted inside the tank. Yesterday she was 4.9 grams.

I still cannot get her to eat really. Wednesday, she did eat 2 extras small dubia roaches and 4 extra small Phoenix worms. I am misting her and giving her baths. Yesterday she didn't even want to drink water. I did mix some critical care with some chicken baby food and got maybe a timy bit in - like tiny. 1/4 if 0.1 ml if that even counts and got that in her last night. This afternoon, I finally got her to drink a little. She is going to the bathroom every day.

While I had a long day at work today, she has the dubias in an escape proof dish and a separate dish of phoenix worms. She isn't touching them.

It appears to me she is failing to thrive. She's getting almost lethargic. I can take her out of the tank and shes not stressed at all. I can pretty do whatever I can with her. Move her here, put her here, look at her belly, etc. not that I am constantly doing that. I take her out once a day for a bath and because she seems to like curling up in my hand and closing her eyes.

I knew when I got her, there was a chance she might not make it. One had already passed away from unknown causes. This, admittedly, has me on edge.

What else can I answer? Am I not giving her time to settle in? It's been a week and a half since she's been with me. I'm just kind of panicked. What are your suggestions. I needs some sage advice from experience. Thank you!

This is her when I got home and misted her. She seems to breath heavy when I mist her. Does her neck look weird? I feel like she's getting thinner.

This is when I brought her home last Tuesday.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

I read on your other post/thead that the vet gave you Flagyl and that you were uncertain as to what it was. Please see this link as it addresses its use for parasite treatment and reports of it being an appetite stimulate.

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/Disease-Management/Protozoan-Parasites-Treatment-Metronidazole-Flagyl/

If I read your other thread correctly, you had decided against using it. If your dragon is going downhill you might as well use it.

I would stop the baths, give the medicine, syringe feed Oxbow Carnivore Care or Critical Care, go to Petco and get some Benebac probiotics, and keep cage around 75 degrees at night.

 

[AHBD]

Poor little Duck....it may be that she + her clutchmates came to the store sickly since the other one passed away. They may have adenovirus or some other virus/illness. I agree with trying to syringe feed ing but keep offering the small bugs. Are you sure that she can tell where the insects are ? Babies can't always understand that there are live bugs in a bowl if they are not right on top of them. Can you try dropping insects right near her ? And Flagyl probably won't help....it's thought to stimulate appetite because if there are parasites it shifts them so the appetite returns but Duckie's fecal was clean. If you give it to her , be 100 % sure not to overdose her. I do hope she survives....just keep trying these suggestions.

 

[Dragonmommie]

Ok. I'm gonna use the flagyl. He said to put just a drop on the side of her mouth. At this point, I don't think it can hurt. I've got probiotic. I'll mix that in her mixture tonight. I also put a dab of bee pollen in there. I'll continue that. I've got squash and chicken baby food. I used the chicken last night hoping to get some protein in her. Do you think that's ok or should I try the squash?

And, I am putting the bugs in front of her. That's how she's eaten the worms. She did go after the roaches on Wednesday. I was excited and thought she needed to hunt. Last night, I took most everything out and put a few roaches out for her to watch. She wasn't intested.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

A better feeding formula would be something like Oxbow, which is made especially for rehabilitating exotics. I think CooperDragon suggested it on your other post and I have also used it.

I would continue offering water or half water/half pedialite formula by syringe or dropper. If you use Oxbow you shouldn't need to add supplemental vitamins to it unless the vet tells you. The vet told me not to add anytime to it because it was a complete temporary replacement.

If you ever have questions about medicine prescibed, you should consult your vet. Some parasites are shed intermediately and may not appear on a fecal test but show up later.

I will tell you upfront that I am pro-vet and believe in working in conjunction, and not replacing their treatment protocol with forum advice. Homeopathic and home remedies have their place, but none of us here are doctors.

You are not obliged to blindly follow vet advice or treatment. If something sits uneasy with you and your vet is not willing to provide answers then by all means find another vet.

 

[Dragonmommie]

The oxbow is on its way actually. Yes, CooperDragon suggested it as well. And I've ordered it. All I had to use right now is normal critical care.

Loud and clear on the vet thoughts...

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Is Duckie doing better?

 

[Dragonmommie]

Duckie is doing much better. She is a spoiled little baby. Lol. I gave the flagyl to her for a couple days. I syringe fed her for a week - usually to the tune of 0.02ml. After two weeks and one day of having her, she decided it was time to eat real food. Started out on small Phoenix worms and has graduated to small dubias. She still won't eat unless I hand them to her (tonight she had 12 and I thought she was going to burst her little belly was so full) and she wants to be tucked in at night. Thank you for asking.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is wonderful little Duckie is doing so much better & is eating on her own, too, well handfeeding counts too though. LOL
So she loves being tucked in for bed at night, they are so sweet & precious aren't they?
I am glad she is done with her meds, too. They didn't seem to affect her too much??

Tracie