Desperate Newbie...

[twixy79]

This is like my 4th or 5th post about my problem baby beardie. My husband and I got our baby bearded nearly 2 weeks ago (Friday). On day 1 he had a cricket and a small superworm. Day 2 he ate almost nothing. Day 3 and 4 he ate 10ish crickets and 2 small mealworms. Day 5 thru 7 he ate NOTHING. Day 8 and 9 he ate a super worm, and 2 crickets. Day 10-11 nothing again. Day 12 (today) he had 2 drops/drips of ReptAid and i mixed a small amount of Carnivore Care with water and syringe fed him.

He also ate 1 cricket and chased a small dubia (which escaped). Chewie drinks in his bath, and drinks when misted and drinks from his water bowl His tanks basking spot is between 107 and 115 (depending on ambient temp of the room) and his cool side during the day is 77 to 82 and at night we use the CHE to keep it about 72-75. Humidity in the tank is around 20% at the highest. We have a 10.0 ReptiSun bulb, we have a 100w and a 150w basking bulb. We have water, veggies and fruits in the tank 24/7 (which we change regularly). Aside from the small amount we got ito fnto Chewie today, he has been incredibly difficult to feed. We have had him checked for parasites and he's got a clean bill of health. He is going pee and poo daily and is gaping when heI gets too hot. I am truly not sure what could possibly be wrong (aside from stress, and picky-ness) that could be causing him to not eat. Is any of this normal? Or am I just over reacting?

 

[Gormagon]

Super worms and meal worms are not supposed to be fed to baby or juvie beardies, they can cause impaction!!!
Has he passed anything (pooped) in the last week?

 

[twixy79]

Super worms and meal worms are not supposed to be fed to baby or juvie beardies, they can cause impaction!!!
Has he passed anything (pooped) in the last week?

Yes. He poops once a day almost at the same time. I know they can cause an impaction if they are fed too many. But the 2 smalls he has eaten in nearly 2 weeks won't hurt him.

 

[Picklepies]

It could just be relocation stress, it can take a few weeks to adjust to a new place. He could also just be picky knowing that you'll feed him treats ? if he's still pooping it shouldn't be too much of a problem and he must be eating enough to poop. I'd keep an eye on him but he should hopefully pick up soon x

 

[twixy79]

It could just be relocation stress, it can take a few weeks to adjust to a new place. He could also just be picky knowing that you'll feed him treats ? if he's still pooping it shouldn't be too much of a problem and he must be eating enough to poop. I'd keep an eye on him but he should hopefully pick up soon x

Well I am sure my stress and worrying isn't helping anyone lol I'm just going to try the hands off approach for a few days and see how that goes. As long as we still have poop and pee, I'm going to try not bothering him except to put in food, water and clean.

 

[Picklepies]

Lol I get the worrying, theres so much tp worry about! ? Hopefully he'll start eating soon

 

[diamc]

It does sound stress related to me. Have you made any changes in the setup at all since you got him? If so, everytime you make a change, it could take 2 wks or so before he gets used to it.

 

[Rankins]

If your dragon is defecating daily he is probably eating more than your observing. As others have stated it does sound like acclimation stress. Your set-up sounds appropriate.

 

[twixy79]

It does sound stress related to me. Have you made any changes in the setup at all since you got him? If so, everytime you make a change, it could take 2 wks or so before he gets used to it.

Yeah, I think it was stress related. I know he doesn't seem to like crickets at all. He doesn't chase them, he actually runs away from them (even the teeny tiny pinhead sized ones). He does chase dubia roaches, but he doesn't eat them. He has eaten 1-2 phoenix worms here and there (we offer them 4-5 times a day) but he LOVES hornworms. I read info that they could be a staple food and others say maybe 1-2 per week so I am not sure what to do. I heard that silkworms are better for them, however thats like the one type of worm that didn't come in my worm sampler pack. Can I feed him hornworms daily as he literally goes nuts for them. When he sees the container for the hornworms he jumps off his basking spot and runs over to his feeding spot and just waits like a dog waiting for a treat. It's actually very adorable!

 

[Rankins]

Dragons will go off feed waiting for you to give them their favorite food item. They can be really stubborn about it. Since its a baby keep offering a variety. Chances are good he will start eating something.
Had to edit my answer...I missed the part about the dragon being a baby. Oops!

 

[twixy79]

Dragons will go off feed waiting for you to give them their favorite food item. They can be really stubborn about it. Since its a baby keep offering a variety. Chances are good he will start eating something.
Had to edit my answer...I missed the part about the dragon being a baby. Oops!

It's ok. He is just so darn cute, sometimes you want to give in. Plus since we have already had to syringe feed him, I hope to not have to do that again as it only adds to his level of stress...

 

[Rankins]

Yeah, force feeding is stressful, best to avoid it if possible. Obviously if the dragon isn't eating anything give it what it will eat (not a bunch of mealworms or supers though). You can try to modify the diet after weight is put on.
Dragons can be stubborn sometimes.