Baby stopped eating and is shaking. Advice!?!?

[Elisa245]

About a month ago I bought a beardie from petsmart. The one we bought was the only one that looked active and healthy. The next day I went back to petsmart to get some crickets and I over heard employees saying that the bunch they got in all have seizures. At that point mine was okay and didnt have any. 2 weeks later, he had two seizures, and whenever I gave him a water bath or if I hold him, his head starts to shake and he sort of freaks out. He stopped eating once he started shedding, and stopped shedding about 2 weeks ago. He doesn’t go after crickets anymore and stopped eating his greens. He just completely stopped and now he looks anorexic. I tried mixing some calcium and water in a spray bottle, so whenever I spray him he will drink it. Im just not sure what to do at this point. I feel like Ive tried everything. His UVB lamp is inside his cage, the bottom of the cage is with paper towels, hes about 3-4 inches away from both basking and UVB lights. Any advice before I take him to the vet?

 

[dylanravenj]

What type of UVB light is it? Seizures are often a sign of metabolic bone disease but it could also be a neurological disorder that the whole clutch may be suffering I'm glad you're taking him to a vet, I would keep him warm and keep a close eye. I'm very curious to see what the vet will tell you.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Sorry he's not well. Can you go over your set up? You can give him stage one baby food mixed with his supplements. Chicken, turkey, sweet potatoes, squash are all good. Just put it on the tip of his nose and hopefully he'll lick it off.

 

[Elisa245]

I have a UVB lamp thats a tube, not coil. A basking light. A tree which makes him about 3-5 inches away from both lights. Temperatures are at around 100-108 and 70-80 on the cooler side. Paper towels covering the bottom. Food dish with mustard greens and calcium supplement sprinkled on top. And a temperature reader. I tried putting the baby food on his nose so he can lick it off but he scratches it off against the tree.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Which brand of tube UVB are you using, the Reptisun or the Reptiglo or Zilla T-50?
Are you using a digital probe or a temp gun to measure the temperatures with?
You can post pictures for us of him & the setup too so we can see him.
Keep trying with the syringe/dropper feeding, to see if he will start taking the food willingly.
What sized crickets were you feeding him, smaller than the space between the eyes?


Tracie

 

[Elisa245]

We have a reptisun 10.0, a digital thermometer eith a probe at the end, and we were feeding him small crickets. I will take pictures once he is awake.

 

[kamelotte]

Oh no . It really does sound like it was a problem with the whole clutch, if the employees were talking about it. Hopefully with a little love and care the seizures will at least lessen in frequency.

About the baby food; My beardie does the same thing! I was treating him with baby food for possible impaction (ended up being nothing, but better safe than sorry), and when I put the baby food on his nose he immediately wiped it off on his branch. Also refused it from the syringe. Eventually I just washed my hands and put a big blob of baby food on my finger tip, not expecting anything to work at this point, and he licked it all off and was chomping at my finger for more.

 

[Elisa245]

Yea I tried putting baby food on my finger and feeding him, but sadly he just gave me a dirty look and walked away. I will never buy a reptile from Petsmart ever again.

 

[Reptiles4Life]

I agree mine had the same problems and i will never ever buy from petsmart again i am planing on making an online petition on petsmart to take better care of there animals and not put so many together.

 

[Elisa245]

I had to take it back to petsmart . It was just getting worse and worse. I called Petsmart corporate and complained. Now Im looking for breeders in my neck of the woods. rluper, Ill sign that petition!

 

[Reptiles4Life]

good you took it back and in a couple of weeks i will make it i will stay in contact with you for then.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am sorry you had to take him back, was he just getting worse?
I hope he makes it but probably wont in the store.


Tracie

 

[Reptiles4Life]

I wish Petsmart would take care or of there bearded dragons better.

 

[Elisa245]

Yea he was getting really bad but next time I am going to do my research and get one from a good breeder. Im lookin for breeders in my area. I heard thats how they are with their leopard geckos too unfortunately.

 

[Reptiles4Life]

We got 1 leopard gecko from Petsmart and we have it nice and healthy now so thats good.