Back from the vet- diet concerns

[stinkysmommy]

I must seem like a complete amateur, coming on here all the time with no idea what I'm doing, but here goes nothing :lol:

Stink came back from the vet's positive for pinworms, which we're treating with a dewormer (his last syringe comes before dinner tonight.) The vet had said that if he'd take the dewormer, he'd most likely have his appetite back. He will take bugs, but for the past month greens have been terribly neglected. No matter how many times a day I switch them out or mist them, he won't take them! Last night, I blended some collards with baby food and his calcium supplements, and flushed out the rest of his dewormer with it- he actually took to the green 'soup' relatively easily. I'm worried, though, that if beardies are anything like people, he needs the fiber, especially in light of his prior condition. Not only that, but I'd like for him to put on some weight quickly. He's 22.5 inches from nose to tail and only 630g (he had lost a lot of weight from the worms unfortunately.) How can I switch him back over to solid greens? I've tried mixing in all sorts of treats with a variety of greens- he picks them out (stinky bugger lol.) On the 19th, he has a date with a lovely little girl beardie, and we'd like for him to be in top shape now that the worms are taken care of.

 

[CooperDragon]

At 630g he can afford to be a bit picky which may be the case here. I'd offer some probiotics just to make sure his gut is in good shape (I like bene-bac for birds and reptiles) but otherwise I'd reduce the bug meals to maybe 2-3 times per week while providing nice big salads every day. If you put out salads and withhold bugs for a while he may start to dig into the salad as he gets hungry.

 

[stinkysmommy]

At 630g he can afford to be a bit picky which may be the case here. I'd offer some probiotics just to make sure his gut is in good shape (I like bene-bac for birds and reptiles) but otherwise I'd reduce the bug meals to maybe 2-3 times per week while providing nice big salads every day. If you put out salads and withhold bugs for a while he may start to dig into the salad as he gets hungry.

You're probably right. I feel terrible withholding the bugs but all of the advice you've given me up to this point has been useful, so that's what I'll do :lol: I guess poor Stink's gonna have to live without his treats for a bit. Thanks so much, as usual :lol:

 

[CooperDragon]

I know it's tough to do because they're so happy with the bugs but it's OK. It's certainly not something you'd do with a young/growing dragon but he's a healthy weight so even if he goes on strike for a while he'll be fine. In the wild they can go for quite some time without food if needed. I've withheld bugs from my guys too and it hasn't caused a problem long term. Their diet should be mostly salad as adults anyway so if you're providing plenty of salad it's on them to an extent.

 

[stinkysmommy]

UPDATE!

It's been a few and Stink's stools are getting progressively better. Today's didn't smell at all, which was actually kind of unfortunate considering it was on my bed and I missed it until my hand was in it.... :silent: whoops. His appetite has returned for the most part. Still light on the greens but we're starting him on roaches within the week so he'll be strong, plump and ready for breeding during spring break. Thanks Cooper for your consistent support :lol:. You're truly the backbone of this community as far as I'm concerned.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm glad to hear he's feeling better. Sorry about your hand - happens to the best of us =/.