Dehydration / Weight Loss

[Deabrua]

Prefacing this with I have seen a reptile vet already, but even the top reptile vet within 100 miles of me is of questionable quality and reliability.

Percy has lost around 70g (410/420 -> 340/350 grams), appeared dehydrated up until a couple days ago, has had 2 of 4 poops contain undigested dubias in 1 week, and has become wobbly/unbalanced.

Food is barely sticking to his tongue so he is struggling to eat greens but can eat insects just fine.

There are two hard lumps in his right side that the vet could not determine if they were tumors or something else.

The vet claimed the only concerning aspect between his fecal, bloodwork, and ultrasound was higher than avg but within normal range for Uric acid.

They have me providing him with herbivore/carnivore emeraid daily (lack of omnivore availability) and gabapentin. They wanted me to reduce his insect feedings from every other day to every 3 days and to start him on kidney meds (enalipril), but there isn't another vet within 2 hours that can give me a second opinion.

Can I get any recommendations?

EDIT:

Spoiler

They said euthenasia is something to consider, but hes still active, he still runs around, he still basks, he still eats and poops. Im not willing to give up so easily when hes still trying especially with no other reptile vet available in the area to get another opinion.

 

[xp29]

I'm really sad to hear this
@Drache613 might be able to give you advice but she is on late at night.
I do agree though as long as he is fighting, support him. Euthanasia should be a last resort and far to many vets are far to quick to recommend it. I think it's to cover up their own ignorance in reptile care.

 

[Deabrua]

I am hopeful that the hard spots are irregularly hard/solid poops from dehydration, but I believe their digestion track and what not is on the left side. :/

Drache613 is the main person I'm hopeful would weigh in on the matter.

Ive got no where to be for the next 60 hours, so I'll be around should she or anyone else respond at any point.

He was doing so well in recovery too. He had regained weight from when we rescued him last april (330g) to a few weeks ago (410-420g), eating better, basking more, less wobbly/unbalanced than when we picked him up. Then a sharp turn for the worse

 

[xp29]

I am hopeful that the hard spots are irregularly hard/solid poops from dehydration, but I believe their digestion track and what not is on the left side. :/

Drache613 is the main person I'm hopeful would weigh in on the matter.

Ive got no where to be for the next 60 hours, so I'll be around should she or anyone else respond at any point.

Keep us posted please, I swear I worry over everyone elses dragons as much as I do my own.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

So sorry your boy is having trouble! Do you have a copy of the blood test you could post?
If he is having some kidney issues, try to get some black or tart cherry juice extract to help start flushing out the kidneys.
I agree, I would reduce the insect intake to 20 or less insects per week.
Are you giving calcium or other supplements?

Tracie

 

[Deabrua]

I am trying to get a copy of it but they still haven't sent it to me. His insect intake prior to this was 6x 5/8" dubias every other day (18-24 per week). Currently he's eating crickets every few days.

How would we offer the cherry juice?

Edit: he's around 9-10yo

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The cherry juice can be given with a plastic dropper or syringe, daily. You can give it straight, or you
can dilute it with water. I would start with .5ML to 1ML daily or every other day.
How is he doing today? That amount of insects sounds pretty good. You could decrease them to under
20 if you would like.
I hope you are able to get a copy of the blood test, I would like to see the values.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[Deabrua]

I will pick up cherry juice today or tomorrow.

He's still looking emaciated but he's approaching 350g now, up from 335g 2-3 weeks ago.

The reason I feed 6x every 2 days (18-24/wk) is because they're not adult insects. If still desired, I can reduce feeding.

Should he still be eating salads/crickets as usual with the addition of emeraid and multivit?

 

[xp29]

I will pick up cherry juice today or tomorrow.

He's still looking emaciated but he's approaching 350g now, up from 335g 2-3 weeks ago.

The reason I feed 6x every 2 days (18-24/wk) is because they're not adult insects. If still desired, I can reduce feeding.

Should he still be eating salads/crickets as usual with the addition of emeraid and multivit?

If your trying to get weight on him, I would say yes

 

[Deabrua]

The largest concern of the vet was rehydration and keeping him away from kidney failure.

His poop is no longer the dried out hard rocks that they used to be, but idk if that's indication of him being hydrated again or water flowing right through him.

No undigested insects in his poop since switching back to crickets. 2 of 4 poops last week had more than half a dubia intact

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Yes, until the weight comes up enough on him, you can give salads & some insects, in addition to
the Emeraid & the multivitamins. Though don't overdo the vitamins because over supplementation
can cause harder urates & constipation.
It is a good sign that the urates aren't hard like previously, so definitely do keep up with the extra
hydration for him right now.

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Keep us posted on your boy, I hope he is
feeling better soon!

Tracie

 

[Deabrua]

One of the pictures is dated May 2023 for an old reference point. The rest are July 2024. @Drache613

 

[Deabrua]

He is more energetic/active than he has been in the past, but he's still wobbly and struggling to eat greens. They just don't stick to his tongue.

He isn't gaining weight on a diet of 4-5 5/8" dubias / crickets 3 days per week. He's stagnated at 345g when he used to be 430g. His tail/sides aren't looking any better either.

His food does appear to be fully digesting now.

 

[xp29]

He is more energetic/active than he has been in the past, but he's still wobbly and struggling to eat greens. They just don't stick to his tongue.

He isn't gaining weight on a diet of 4-5 5/8" dubias / crickets 3 days per week. He's stagnated at 345g when he used to be 430g. His tail/sides aren't looking any better either.

His food does appear to be fully digesting now.

Feed him more often and try adding superworms to his diet to get weight on him.