Bowser WILL NOT eat on his own! :(

[Sashee]

Mods, feel free to move this if it is more suited for behavior or health. I wasn't sure.

So I've had Bowser for about two or three months. He was neglected and is still not in great shape. When I first got him, he'd eat a worm or crix if they wiggled next to his head or whatever. He'd also eat some greens and go to his water bowl and drink water occasionally.

The issue I'm having now is that since I began having to force feed him, he will not eat on his own. I put a waxie in by him and he closed his eyes. He does the same thing with any food I try to give him to eat on his own. Like, if he can't see it, he doesn't have to eat it. I don't remember if this started when i was actually first force feeding, or after the time he threw up the crix i force fed. I can't remember exactly.

Does ANYONE have ANY idea how i can get him to eat on his own again? He won't even lick the syringe or ANYTHING on his own. I know he hates being force fed cuz he tries to wiggle away. He will swallow and chew if I put something in his mouth, but every time I've put solids in, he throws up. So he's on baby food with critical care mixed in. I'm out of ideas. And I really feel like he's never gonna get better if he can't eat on his own. He needs to be able to do it for himself and for my sanity as well. LOL

I know it's very odd for a beardie to drink out of a bowl on their own, but I SWEAR he used to. And I even have video of him eating waxies on his own but now he refuses. HELP!!!!

 

[Mach10X]

I see that you've been a member for about 6 months and have lots of posts. I'm going to assume you have your husbandry on target, it wouldn't hurt to double check UVB and temperatures though.

I've had issues personally and I've read of lots of dragons that refuse to eat on their own if they are hand or force fed a lot.
Do you have any idea how old Bowser is?
What's the longest you've gone without feeding him to see if he'll eat on his own?
What condition is he is now? Does he still look skinny?
You may want to call a vet and see if they will do a fecal test without seeing your dragon (my vet will, it saves a lot of money). If the vet does find parasites then you can schedule a visit to get prescribed medications.

How does his poop look? Ideal poops have liquid in them but the poops itself retains its shape, urates shouldn't be too hard until they dry out.

 

[Sashee]

Yes, everything is right, he was treated for parasites already as a precaution when I got him. His tank is set up just like my other one's tank, minus the basking logs d/t his MBD and he can't climb. So his UVB is set lower so it benefits him. His poop is very small and quite liquidy as he does not eat ANYTHING solid. I haven't really tried not feeding him to see if he will eat. I have to force fed liquid calcium each day as per the vet, so idk if that'd even do anything but set him back to not being fed again. :-/

The former owner said he is 6, but he also told me that HE was a she, so IDK how accurate that is. He's still very skinny, but has gained 20 grams in the time I've had him.

 

[Mach10X]

Assuming he's not on the verge of starvation, He should be ok without being forced anything for up to 4 days, however you should keep him hydrated with daily baths. Offer food every day but do not forcefeed unless he refuses to eat anything on the 5th day. I've had to modify my dragon's feeding schedule to accommodate his appetite, at 4 years old, my guy eats veggies/greens every 2-3 days unless in brumation, then it's once a week. Live protein is twice a week, he gets about 6-8 large dubia nymphs, dusted with calcium one day and calcium plus vitamins the second. My dragon was stunted a bit due to a poor feeding schedule at the pet store, perhaps your dragon will have similar habits.

 

[Sashee]

Here's his thread... http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=148935

I honestly don't think he'll eat on his own, even after 4 days.

 

[randommonks]

Since it's a rescue (I've been quietly following Bowser's story), you might want to post in Health or even Beardie ER, since it's more for his own well-being that he starts eating on his own again. Hope he gets better soon!

 

[Sashee]

Since it's a rescue (I've been quietly following Bowser's story), you might want to post in Health or even Beardie ER, since it's more for his own well-being that he starts eating on his own again. Hope he gets better soon!

Thanx, I'll try that!