Dragon stopped eating

[Clancy49]

I have a 5 year old dragon that I rescued when he was very young. He had MBD and was dying when I rescued him. So, 5 years later, he just stopped eating one day. I have been syringe feeding him for the last couple of months. I had his stool checked which was clear. He is still very active but won't eat (maybe a couple of meal worms but that's it). Any suggestions on how to stimulate his appetite?

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Can you give a rundown of his set up?

 

[Clancy49]

He's in a 55 gal tank. I keep the hot side around 102. I have UVB lighting. I use carpet as the substrate and have an under the tank heater under his hide. I do need to mention that he has a tank mate. They have been together since I rescued them both and doesn't seem to be affected by whatever is going on with the one not eating. I have been feeding him Carnivore Care (oxbow) mixed with green bean baby food. I mix collards, crickets and whatever else I can think to dice and put in. Is there anything specifically you are wanting to know? Thanks for any help or advice you can give.

 

[destiny1998]

What kind of uvb light? How do you take the temps? A 55 gallon is barely big enough for one let alone 2. How old are they? If one is smaller then the other which is very likely there is always one that is dominating the other. It does not matter if they have been together for a few months beardies are very territorial and solitary with their own. If you can put a divider down the middle so they can not see each other that might bring the appetite back as he might be stressed and bullied by the other one.

 

[Clancy49]

I have Reptiglo lites in the tank. I did see the article in which these lites are very hard on the eyes of the dragons and have spread the word to the ppl I know about that. I take the temp with a digital thermometer. As far as the dominance of the dragons, the one not eating is by far the more aggressive one and was a lil bigger than the other. I've wondered about seperating them but they have been together for so long. They even sleep together when they're not sleeping with me. At this point do you feel seperating them would stress him out more then keeping them together. As I've stated before, they have been tank mates for 5 years. Thank you for all your time getting back to me, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[Taterbug]

Do you have a picture of the dragon? If he is in good condition with good fat reserves you may be able to wean him off the hand feeding. Dragons in good shape can go a while between meals. He may have grown lazy, and why hunt/graze if food comes right to you.

Even if your light isn't bothering their eyes it could be worn out and you can't tell without a meter. If it's ~6 months, you may want to consider swapping it out with a new one.

Most reptiles don't tend to do things like sleep or bask together out of friendship. Your tank has limited resources so they must share them. In a tank that size there probably isn't more than one "ideal" basking spot or sleeping spot. Do they sleep in the hide, and is the heat mat on a thermostat? Even if they get along fine all their lives, having more than one dragon per cage can make it more difficult to figure out what's wrong.

 

[Clancy49]

I can see about uploading a pic of the dragon as soon as I figure out how to navigate around in this site (I'm new to this site). No, he doesn't have any fat reserve. BTW, his name is Wiley. I thought he was a female and has been called her and nick name Sis. The lite maybe a month old so, I know that's not the problem. As far as the "under the tank" heater, it's not on any kind of thermostat. I know they can become "lazy" when you hand feed them but he can't go without me feeding at this point in time.
Finding this site has been a God send. I knew my knowledge of the dragons was limited but I am so glad to learn (even having bear dies for several years). Right now my lighting another tank is impossible. I don't have the set up to so but would be willing to try to separate them if that's what it would take. I'm ALL about my dragons. I did want to mention I have 2 basking sites for them. May I ask how May dragons you have and for how long have you had them. Again, thank you for all your help. I will post a pic as soon as I can figure out this site.

 

[Taterbug]

I think this is the guide most people refer to for sharing pictures. viewtopic.php?f=30&t=167225

Poor, Wiley - it doesn't sound like tough love will be a good idea for him. The mixture you are feeding him sounds good, I wish I had some tips to get him eating on his own. Have you had his mouth checked for any injuries or sores? Tried other insects?

I'm glad you have two basking spots, and that the light is new. I'm not sure if separating them would help or not, it depends on why he isn't eating. As for the UTH some folks are strongly against them, they can get really hot - putting it on a thermostat makes it much safer.

I currently have one dragon, he is my second, my first was a rescue. I've been keeping/researching them for 3-4 years.