Dragon flipping onto back constantly, lethargic

[CooperDragon]

That's good news. I think giving him proper lighting, diet, and adequate hydration will help him out as much as anything at the moment. A checkup with an experienced reptile vet is a good idea but I think an improved habitat will go a long way.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is wonderful news Steve is doing so much better!
Definitely let us know when you have him home & post pictures when you can once he is all settled in!
I am sure he is going to be very happy in his new environment. He has really responded to better UVB & supplementation now.

Tracie

 

[dezismom]

When rehabbing weak animals, warmth and hydration are very important. Until he is stronger, I would keep his viv no less than mid to upper eighty degrees, even at night,with his bask spot 105-110.If he is cool to the touch, warm him slowly! I have found that holding a cold baby right against the skin of my tummy is a gentle way to warm them up and not get them too warm, too fast!

If he has been malnourished, start him off with easy to digest food, and not too much at one meal. Waxworms are a soft, digestable food with lots of fat and most Beardies love them. I use them for Dezi as treats only, because they have such a high fat percentage, but I always keep them on hand, to use as tempting bits for rehabs. Banana, raspberry, or melon bits would provide both hydration and quickly digested energy, if he is interested. He may be used to only one food source, like crickets, so you may have to introduce new foods slowly. Provide several small meals a day, as opposed to one or two big meals, so as not to overwhelm his system. Offer water from a small (1CC) syringe or eye dropper, by drops on his lips, avoiding the nose holes, of course. If he wants more, he will start to lap it up with some enthusiasm. Again, moderation is required...just a few CC's at a time, until he is stronger. We do not want to cause runny stools! He has enough challenges.

Minimal handling, until he is stronger and has had a few days--even a couple weeks--to get accustomed to his new environment. Reduced stress is always good, but especially important for Steve, which is why a classroom environment is so bad for any sick animal. Of course, handling as needed to keep him and his viv clean...and be very sure to wash hands thoroughly between handling Steve and other pets! If you can provide his own feeding tongs, etc, that would be best for both Beardies...some things are better not shared Sticking to a routine also reduces stress, as they like to be able to predict what will happen day to day.

Keep him in a quiet, calm room, away from main traffic areas and loud sounds, like barking dogs, doors that are constantly opened and closed, or TV. Tell people who approach his viv to keep soft voices; no laughter, no loud talk--and slow movements; no hand waving or pointing. (I call this my wild or sick animal etiquette speech) I also tell people to keep at least three feet back from the viv or cage, because they really do not understand how threatening they can look, when they stick their faces right up against the cages, and stare! People are naturally curious about a new animal, but I limit any viewing to one five minute period per hour. Only the main caretaker (you!) really need approach until he gains his strength.

I am so relieved you are taking this poor fellow home!! He looks so weak and tired, and sad:Beardies are such emotional creatures--I call DeziLu my "Drama Queen"! (But just because he is a drama queen, does not mean his feelings are not real, to him! So, when he is being particularly dramatic, I try not to laugh at him, in his presence)

Please keep us posted as you find time! You are being an angel of mercy to this little guy, and I know that God Blesses those who care for His beloved creations!

 

[SilverGravity]

Thank you for the advice! I'll be sure to do those things. He's going to be in the spare bedroom as to be quarantined from my own dragon until I know he's not contagious with anything and to avoid the rest of my family. My thermometer and UVB lights should come in soon, so That will be down as soon as possible. I'll be the only one with him besides my dad turning the lights on and off while I'm not there.

I could not get him today as my parents had work, however tomorrow I already have my mom free to get him after my finals. Hopefully tomorrow as well we will be able to get to the pet store in order to pick up a syringe or dropper and things for his tank, like a hide and food dish. Not sure if I'll use he dish so quick as I'm not sure if he has the energy to stand to reach the food, but I'll see. Also- the receptionist I told you guys about told me she was going to ask the principal if I would get money back if I brought him to the vet. He'll have to go anyway, but it'd be nice not to have to spend so much if I can avoid it. She was also happy when I told her I ordered him a better light! She's so nice, I'm thankful she's with me in helping him.

There very dramatic little things, but it's what I love about them. Sapphire loves to be dramatic or impatient- she'll wait with her front half in her food dish until I give her food!

 

[SpacialCoogs]

I got a syringe for free at safeway, alternately some of the drug stores will have them for sale for cheap. I use it for watercolor painting and they're generally easy to find, Pet Stores might be unnecessarily expensive.

For the hide, you could even use an empty kleenex box until you can get something a little more solid. You don't always have to spend a fortune, except on the lights

 

[Derz13]

I agree, go to your local vet and ask if you could have some syringes without needles. Pet stores are way over-priced! Most vets would have no problem giving you a couple no charge or even super cheap. Better if it is a family vet or one you already take any other pets too.

Also, getting a brick from a home improvement store like Home Depot, Lowes..(I don't know where you are located) Those are good for young dragons and weak dragons because they absorb heat pretty well and are only about an inch or so off the ground so he may still be able to pull himself onto it.

Silkworms are also amazing feeders if you can find them in your area! or cheap enough online. They can get pretty pricey. But the best and most nutritious in my opinion.

 

[SilverGravity]

Alright, I'll do that instead! There's a vet close by, so I can see if they have any syringes that I can buy or have. I may have bricks outside, so I can bake one of those if so for him to use, and I'm sure I have a tissue box or something I can give him as a hide.

 

[AHBD]

Good to hear that you're getting ready for the poor boy, hopefully going to see improvement soon. Most drug store carry feeding syringes and you don't have to buy any cage furniture at all. A brick or nice flat rock, as well as baskling log/branch can all be gathered from outside....almost all of my beardie's cage furniture is / Rocks can just be washed with hot soapy water, and any logs can be popped in to a pre-heated 250 oven for 60-90 minutes to sanitize it. Sometimes you can even find an old piece of wood that looks like the half log " hides" that are sold in the pet stores. Don't get anything pine or sappy.

Is he willingly eating ? If so , just feed him what he's used to, by hand if necessary and introduce new items regularly [ greens are the best , like turnip, mustard, collard, dandelion ] and go easy on the insects at first. If he like crickets, stick with calcium coated cricket. Waxworms, superworms, etc can cause him to get spoiled and turn his nose up at the crickets [ which are more nutritios ] , so stick with the crix and add veggies + the few fruits that Dezismom mentioned. Keep his daytime basking temp. around 105, night time no higher than 82. Offer water via syringe as was mentioned. Hopefully he'll recuperate , at least to a degree, and live a decent life.

 

[SilverGravity]

So we finally got him and I cleaned out his tank, it's now empty until I bake the wood I have from my own dragon. I have several logs I don't put in her tank. He's got newspaper on the ground now, and I'm currently feeding him collard greens. I've also got an eye dropper for water from the school, though I can look around for a syringe if necessary.

He's acting odd though as he eats. He was licking the newspaper like he wanted to eat it, so I got him the collard greens and he's very shakey as he grabs the food. He's very eager to eat, though. I think he's shakey and having difficulty because he's weak and can't grip the newspaper to move well, but he is eating. He's so far a lot more alert than he used to be at least, he's moving around and moving his head around to look at things.

Here's a little update picture while he was eating.

 

[SpacialCoogs]

you might need to try handfeeding to make it easier on him for a bit.

He looks so weak. It makes my heart hurt.

 

[AHBD]

Good that he's eating ! The poor guy is probably calcium + vitamin deficient. Be sure to powder the food items.....not a thick coating, just a light one. If you can get liquid calcium, that would be great. Also, a little time in the sun will be good, just set with him in the grass if it's warm out.

 

[SilverGravity]

So I just gave him water, and he eagerly licked it up. How much should I give him? I don't want to overdo it, but I'm not sure if he needs more since he didn't stop drinking. He was pretty confused at first when I dropped it on his nose, but then he was drinking everything I gave him.

I've got my calcium powder too, so I'll be sure to give it to him. Unfortunately it's pretty windy out, so I'm not sure is warm enough outside.

I hand fed all he would he eat, then left the rest in there in case he wanted more. He didn't eat that much, but what he did eat he was very eager to get.

 

[CooperDragon]

Sometimes if they haven't gotten enough to drink they'll overdo it. My guy used to keep drinking and just store it in his beard like he'd never see water again. It's probably better to offer smaller quantities of water more frequently throughout the day. It's a good sign that he's drinking though. The hydration should help him overall.

 

[Derz13]

Newspapers are usually covered in bright colors that can sometimes mimick food items like fruits and veggies. I have a sticker on my laptop that my beardie tries to eat EVERY time he sits and studies with me! Haha. If the dropper you have from school is working no need to get another one. Just make sure it is not used from a science lab!

 

[dezismom]

Poor lttle tyke! He looks starved, weak, dehydrated...but he is in good hands, now, and he is a fighter, or he wouldn't have made it this far!

I used to use newspaper, but always a white paper towel on top, to keep Dez from licking, and getting newsprint in him...

So good to see he is eating!! He will get stronger with proper hydration. A couple droppers full, if he wants, 3-4 times throughout the day...

Great job, Silvergravity!!
hope your finals went okay. Thankyou for keeping us informed. We are all really rooting for Steve!