Bearded dragon hasnt eaten on its own in months

[Tupaco11]

This is probably my 5th post trying to find help for her but I've found no useful help so far. She had both parasites and pinworms and they both been treated her poo has returned to normal but she still refuses to try to eat on her own. I've been giving her acidophiliz+ daily and feeding her a homemade mustard green + superworm smoothie w/ calcium. Bit she shrunk so much that my other beardie who is 2 months younger passedan her up in size. How do I make her eat?

 

[AHBD]

Can you post a few pics of her ? having dragons on parasite meds. affects some dragon's appetite a lot more than others. Was she eating well before she started the meds. ?

Can you offer her some hornworms to see if that might stimulate interest ?

 

[EllenD]

Antiparasitics are really very harsh on their stomachs, and it does sometimes take a very long time for their systems to get back to normal. The probiotics you're giving to him is step one, I'd be giving him the acidophilus every day...What form of acidophilus are you giving him? Is it a liquid acidophilus made as a supplement, or is it just soy yogurt? You may want to try a general probiotic mix that contains other strains in addition to the acidophilus, like lactobacillus and others. Sometimes the acidophilus isn't enough to get their stomachs feeling better and to restore the "healthy bacteria", and you need a mix...

I have had HUGE LUCK with my rescue beardie that had been severely impacted and had not only not had a bowel movement for months, but also hadn't eaten in months, with a specific probiotic tablet that also contains digestive enzymes. I actually started using it years ago when I used to breed and hand-raise budgies and cockatiels. Whenever they were treated with antiparasitics or antibiotics they would stop eating and lose a lot of weight. After trying numerous different things, I tried a combination of this probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement and Bee Pollen.

I buy both the probiotic/digestive enzyme and the Bee Pollen at Walmart. The brand is Spring Valley, it's the brand that Walmart carries the most of in their vitamin/supplement section, and they use a yellow and green labels with green bottles. The Bee Pollen is simply called "Bee Pollen", and comes in a bottle of 100 capsules that are 550mg each. The capsules can just be pulled apart, and I add a pinch to the babyfood or greens slurries I force feed.

The Spring Valley brand probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement is called "Probiotic Multi-Enzyme" and underneath that title it says "Digestive Formula with Active Acidophilus Cultures". It comes in a bottle of 200 tablets. They are small, white, round tablets that I crush to a very fine powder, and I typically add 2 pinches of this to the slurry as well.

Using digestive enzymes has been commonplace in avian medicine for quite some time to not only promote appetite but also to cure crop stasis, slow crop, yeast infections, and also to help break-down impactions and clear out the digestive tract. I have successfully used these exact tablets in week old baby birds whose parents fed them crop milk in their first week of life that was too thick and caused all kinds of issues. The probiotics along with the digestive enzymes (to sum it up) basically break up any bad stuff that's lingering, clear everything out, replace the good stuff, reduce inflammation, and get them feeling hungry again. The Bee Pollen is another appetite stimulant commonly used in reptile and avian medicine, so you're attacking from all angles with natural, plant-based supplements that make them feel better. These digestive enzyme tabs contain Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase, Protease (papaya), Pancreatin, Pepsin (helps immensely with inflammation and acid in their stomachs), and I believe Bromelain as the digestive enzymes. Then the lactobacillus acidophilus is also included in the same tablet for easy dosing.

I typically use 2 pinches of the Probiotic Multi-Enzyme, 1 pinch of the Bee Pollen, a pinch of Calcium with D3, and a pinch of Reptile Multivitamin without Calcium, and mix these supplements with Babyfood, the type depends on whether or not they are impacted as well. I always use an all-natural babyfood brand, like Beech-Nut ($0.75 a jar), that basically only use the fruits, vegetables, and water. There are no added sugars or sodium. If the Beardie is impacted I'll use Beech-Nut Prune babyfood and I'll also add a tablespoon of raw, canned pumpkin in with it, and then I'll mix in the supplements thoroughly with a couple tablespoons of unflavored Pedialyte. If the Beardie isn't impacted, I may still use the Beech-Nut Prune babyfood because they really seem to like it and I'd rather keep them cleared out, but I won't add the raw, canned pumpkin.

 

[Tupaco11]

Antiparasitics are really very harsh on their stomachs, and it does sometimes take a very long time for their systems to get back to normal. The probiotics you're giving to him is step one, I'd be giving him the acidophilus every day...What form of acidophilus are you giving him? Is it a liquid acidophilus made as a supplement, or is it just soy yogurt? You may want to try a general probiotic mix that contains other strains in addition to the acidophilus, like lactobacillus and others. Sometimes the acidophilus isn't enough to get their stomachs feeling better and to restore the "healthy bacteria", and you need a mix...

I have had HUGE LUCK with my rescue beardie that had been severely impacted and had not only not had a bowel movement for months, but also hadn't eaten in months, with a specific probiotic tablet that also contains digestive enzymes. I actually started using it years ago when I used to breed and hand-raise budgies and cockatiels. Whenever they were treated with antiparasitics or antibiotics they would stop eating and lose a lot of weight. After trying numerous different things, I tried a combination of this probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement and Bee Pollen.

I buy both the probiotic/digestive enzyme and the Bee Pollen at Walmart. The brand is Spring Valley, it's the brand that Walmart carries the most of in their vitamin/supplement section, and they use a yellow and green labels with green bottles. The Bee Pollen is simply called "Bee Pollen", and comes in a bottle of 100 capsules that are 550mg each. The capsules can just be pulled apart, and I add a pinch to the babyfood or greens slurries I force feed.

The Spring Valley brand probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement is called "Probiotic Multi-Enzyme" and underneath that title it says "Digestive Formula with Active Acidophilus Cultures". It comes in a bottle of 200 tablets. They are small, white, round tablets that I crush to a very fine powder, and I typically add 2 pinches of this to the slurry as well.

Using digestive enzymes has been commonplace in avian medicine for quite some time to not only promote appetite but also to cure crop stasis, slow crop, yeast infections, and also to help break-down impactions and clear out the digestive tract. I have successfully used these exact tablets in week old baby birds whose parents fed them crop milk in their first week of life that was too thick and caused all kinds of issues. The probiotics along with the digestive enzymes (to sum it up) basically break up any bad stuff that's lingering, clear everything out, replace the good stuff, reduce inflammation, and get them feeling hungry again. The Bee Pollen is another appetite stimulant commonly used in reptile and avian medicine, so you're attacking from all angles with natural, plant-based supplements that make them feel better. These digestive enzyme tabs contain Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase, Protease (papaya), Pancreatin, Pepsin (helps immensely with inflammation and acid in their stomachs), and I believe Bromelain as the digestive enzymes. Then the lactobacillus acidophilus is also included in the same tablet for easy dosing.

I typically use 2 pinches of the Probiotic Multi-Enzyme, 1 pinch of the Bee Pollen, a pinch of Calcium with D3, and a pinch of Reptile Multivitamin without Calcium, and mix these supplements with Babyfood, the type depends on whether or not they are impacted as well. I always use an all-natural babyfood brand, like Beech-Nut ($0.75 a jar), that basically only use the fruits, vegetables, and water. There are no added sugars or sodium. If the Beardie is impacted I'll use Beech-Nut Prune babyfood and I'll also add a tablespoon of raw, canned pumpkin in with it, and then I'll mix in the supplements thoroughly with a couple tablespoons of unflavored Pedialyte. If the Beardie isn't impacted, I may still use the Beech-Nut Prune babyfood because they really seem to like it and I'd rather keep them cleared out, but I won't add the raw, canned pumpkin.

I use liquid but I like how well you described youe treatment so I'm going to the store tomorrow to see if they carry the bee pollen and such

 

[mamakintobeardie]

Thank you for posting this regimen! I too am struggling with the same situation. My beardie was treated over the winter twice for parasites. Good appetite throughout, now, post treatment he is eating gradually less and less. I am using critical care every other day, sprinkled with a probiotic. I've also started taking him outside again now that it's warming up. So far appetite is nil. He watches the roaches walk right by him. Starts to look interested and then puts his head up. Poor guys, it's breaking my heart. His poo is very diarrhea like when he does go, which isn't often. Can I ask how you feed the baby food to your beardie? I don't have much luck with the syringe, it's seems to plug up, like it's too thick. Thanks for all of the prior advice!

 

[EllenD]

I use a 3cc luer-slip syringe which is a lot wider/longer than the tiny, skinny 1cc ones, and if the mix is too thick I add a bit of unflavored Pedialyte to it to thin it, but not too thin (sometimes I soak some Mazuri or Repcal Bearded Dragon pellets until they're soft, then mix them in too for nourishment, then add the Pedialyte to thin it). Then I microwave it the same Tupperware container I mixed it in for a minute (it's easier to stir if it's warm and they seem to like it better). Then I stir it again very well, and fill the syringe. Test it on your wrist, typically it's a bit too hot at first, usually I wait 2-3 minutes after filling the syringe to feed it.

Put the tip of the Luer-slip syringe in the side of the beardie's mouth, and the slide it up towards the tip of his snout, they typically open their mouths at that point, then I inject a little in and they then swallow it. It takes a long time because you can't put too much in their mouths at once or they can choke. So it takes patience.

 

[oliverthedragon]

Antiparasitics are really very harsh on their stomachs, and it does sometimes take a very long time for their systems to get back to normal. The probiotics you're giving to him is step one, I'd be giving him the acidophilus every day...What form of acidophilus are you giving him? Is it a liquid acidophilus made as a supplement, or is it just soy yogurt? You may want to try a general probiotic mix that contains other strains in addition to the acidophilus, like lactobacillus and others. Sometimes the acidophilus isn't enough to get their stomachs feeling better and to restore the "healthy bacteria", and you need a mix...

I have had HUGE LUCK with my rescue beardie that had been severely impacted and had not only not had a bowel movement for months, but also hadn't eaten in months, with a specific probiotic tablet that also contains digestive enzymes. I actually started using it years ago when I used to breed and hand-raise budgies and cockatiels. Whenever they were treated with antiparasitics or antibiotics they would stop eating and lose a lot of weight. After trying numerous different things, I tried a combination of this probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement and Bee Pollen.

I buy both the probiotic/digestive enzyme and the Bee Pollen at Walmart. The brand is Spring Valley, it's the brand that Walmart carries the most of in their vitamin/supplement section, and they use a yellow and green labels with green bottles. The Bee Pollen is simply called "Bee Pollen", and comes in a bottle of 100 capsules that are 550mg each. The capsules can just be pulled apart, and I add a pinch to the babyfood or greens slurries I force feed.

The Spring Valley brand probiotic/digestive enzyme supplement is called "Probiotic Multi-Enzyme" and underneath that title it says "Digestive Formula with Active Acidophilus Cultures". It comes in a bottle of 200 tablets. They are small, white, round tablets that I crush to a very fine powder, and I typically add 2 pinches of this to the slurry as well.

Using digestive enzymes has been commonplace in avian medicine for quite some time to not only promote appetite but also to cure crop stasis, slow crop, yeast infections, and also to help break-down impactions and clear out the digestive tract. I have successfully used these exact tablets in week old baby birds whose parents fed them crop milk in their first week of life that was too thick and caused all kinds of issues. The probiotics along with the digestive enzymes (to sum it up) basically break up any bad stuff that's lingering, clear everything out, replace the good stuff, reduce inflammation, and get them feeling hungry again. The Bee Pollen is another appetite stimulant commonly used in reptile and avian medicine, so you're attacking from all angles with natural, plant-based supplements that make them feel better. These digestive enzyme tabs contain Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase, Protease (papaya), Pancreatin, Pepsin (helps immensely with inflammation and acid in their stomachs), and I believe Bromelain as the digestive enzymes. Then the lactobacillus acidophilus is also included in the same tablet for easy dosing.

I typically use 2 pinches of the Probiotic Multi-Enzyme, 1 pinch of the Bee Pollen, a pinch of Calcium with D3, and a pinch of Reptile Multivitamin without Calcium, and mix these supplements with Babyfood, the type depends on whether or not they are impacted as well. I always use an all-natural babyfood brand, like Beech-Nut ($0.75 a jar), that basically only use the fruits, vegetables, and water. There are no added sugars or sodium. If the Beardie is impacted I'll use Beech-Nut Prune babyfood and I'll also add a tablespoon of raw, canned pumpkin in with it, and then I'll mix in the supplements thoroughly with a couple tablespoons of unflavored Pedialyte. If the Beardie isn't impacted, I may still use the Beech-Nut Prune babyfood because they really seem to like it and I'd rather keep them cleared out, but I won't add the raw, canned pumpkin.

Thank you so much for this, I just posted a thread asking essentially the same question as this poster. I'm going to use your suggestions here with the baby food and the supplements and see if our baby dragon will take it. Thank you again