Could he be blind/vision-impaired?!

[JethrosMom]

Hello, everyone! I've got a little "special needs" dragon who is presenting quite a challenge when it comes to feeding him. No matter where I put the food (in a shallow bowl right under his nose, in my fingers, on the cage floor, from above with tongs), he lunges in a completely different direction every time. Not just a little off . . . WAY off!! He's frustrated; I'm frustrated. And the poor little thing is SO hungry - when he lunges he is voracious (even shakes his little head back and forth like a puppy)! And he is really stunted - he's 7 months old but still the size of a baby. I don't think he's completely blind, but I really think his vision must be impaired. Any suggestions as to how I can get enough food into this precious little guy?!?!

 

[Goonie]

Oh dear! Poor baby
Does he walk into things or in circles?? Can you tell which side he favors in sight? If you're able to determine which eye he sees better out of, you may be able to place the food on that side instead of in front of him.

Have you tried giving him liquid vitamins? He may be lacking something (no idea what at this moment) that's impairing his vision.

 

[JethrosMom]

Hi, Goonie - thanks for replying. He doesn't seem to favor any particular side or direction - I can hold the food a couple inches in front of his nose and sometimes he'll dive straight down and get a mouthful of my bedspread or jump into the air! No, he doesn't walk in circles or run into things - I've had him checked and he appears to be quite healthy (other than being small for his age). I haven't tried liquid vitamins, but I have given him Zilla Jump Start and Repashy Veggie Burger in hopes that he will at least get some nutrients. Any particular vitamin good for eyesight?

 

[Goonie]

Honestly, I have no idea what specific vitamin is good for eye sight (I'm anti-vitamin for myself but pro-vitamin for all of my babies). I give mine a multivitamin from Fluker's. It contains Vitamins A, D3, B1, B2, B6, and C. I also give them liquid calcium, because they hated the powder stuff and refused to eat their greens/feeders if they were covered with the icky powders.

 

[JethrosMom]

All my other babies hate the powder, too! I've started feeding them the Repashy gel foods to make sure they get all their nutrients. The beardies love the Veggie Burger.