So, my 5 month old beardie got us concerned when she started only pooping every three days two weeks ago instead of the every day she had been doing, so we took her to the vet. Her fecal came back positive for pinworms and coccidia (as some searching here now suggests I should have been expecting with a new beardie as it appears to be pretty pervasive). So, the vet started her on panacur for the pinworms and is trying to get in ponazuril for the coccidia next week. I'm glad we didn't wait any longer to take her in as she doesn't seem to have had many ill effects so far other than the drop off in her stools and a slightly decreased appetite...
Anyway, my main question is this... the vet surprised us with their recommendation that instead of the 20-30 crickets twice a day plus greens that we now feed this five month old, that we cut that down to 20 crickets once a day and have her eat greens/vegetables for the rest of her diet. Everything I've read says that they should get as many crickets as they want 2 to 3 times a day, plus greens until a year old, and then they eat crickets only every other day and the rest of their diet is greens. Put another way, I've heard 80% protein - 20% plant matter until 1 year, then 20% protein - 80% plant matter for an adult. Fortunately, other than the slight decrease in her appetite recently with the current parasite issue, she eats both her crickets and greens well. The vet did also admit that she is not an expert on bearded dragons, though she does see many reptiles.
So, should I change her diet mix at this point, or continue with my original understanding until 1 year old?
Anyway, my main question is this... the vet surprised us with their recommendation that instead of the 20-30 crickets twice a day plus greens that we now feed this five month old, that we cut that down to 20 crickets once a day and have her eat greens/vegetables for the rest of her diet. Everything I've read says that they should get as many crickets as they want 2 to 3 times a day, plus greens until a year old, and then they eat crickets only every other day and the rest of their diet is greens. Put another way, I've heard 80% protein - 20% plant matter until 1 year, then 20% protein - 80% plant matter for an adult. Fortunately, other than the slight decrease in her appetite recently with the current parasite issue, she eats both her crickets and greens well. The vet did also admit that she is not an expert on bearded dragons, though she does see many reptiles.
So, should I change her diet mix at this point, or continue with my original understanding until 1 year old?