I thought I'd give an update on how he's been improving. I made an appointment with a vet and took him in, but they basically just told me what I already knew. I've been giving him warm baths every day until he poops, feeding him a mix of a few baby foods with calcium and multivitamin mixed in a few times a day. He's been improving very quickly, and although his legs are still not in perfect condition he can stand up straight and he moves around fine. He's gained some weight and he's definitely perked up. I'm not sure when I'll try to give him roaches again (I'm kind of terrified to but I know he can't live off baby food). The roaches are small, definitely smaller than the space between his eyes, and I'm thinking maybe I'll try giving him one or two tomorrow, if he's looking good.
no more roaches til he's recovered , better off getting soft but highly nutritious feeder insects such as BSF lavae and small (1 inch) and 1.5-2 inch silkworms , very soft bodies and silkworms in particular have enzymes that help relieve inflammation and are mild laxatives.
He's doing great now! He supports his body on both legs, his eyes are brighter, and he's definitely very alert. I think he's ready for bugs again but im nervous about feeding them to him. I think I'll see if he'll take maybe one or two today, and see what happens. He's been pooping regularly throughout this whole thing, although now it seems prefers to do his business in the bath.
Oh that is wonderful to hear he is gradually regaining his mobility now. I am sure he is
feeling better.
If he is alert, that is very positive. Are you still giving soft foods then? Be very cautious about
giving him any insects quite yet.
Keep us posted on him!
He's still getting mainly baby food right now but I gave him one little roach yesterday to see how he'd take it. It's fine so far and he's had a bowel movement since then. I'm nervous to give him any more so I think I'll wait until the BSFL I order online arrives.
I agree with AHBD, he needs some more protein, but be sure to only give him just a few very small roaches, the smallest you have. Then when the BSFL arrive you can let him eat them normally since they're soft.
I've been feeding BSFL as my regular, daily, live staple insect for years to all of my beardies, they eat quite a few of them, so if you're going to continue to feed him BSFL I recommend supplementing with dubias, crickets, locusts, or superworms too. I feed mainly BSFL but also mix it up a bit for them too, adding superworms for my big 10 month old girl, and small dubia for my 5 month old boy and my year and 2 month old rescue boy with MBD (I don't think he could handle superworms yet). The BSFL are very healthy feeders with tons of Calcium, protein, and other vitamins, but you should still dust them (some BSFL sellers tell customers that they don't have to dust BSFL, but most people still do).
Little tip, I don't know how many BSFL you ordered, but #1) Do not put them in the refrigerator, they'll most likely die. They should be kept at a cooler temperature than your average home temperature to slow them down from turning, I keep mine in my basement/garage, which are around 55-60 degrees and this works perfectly. If you don't have a cool basement or garage you can put them in a cooler with an ice pack, that works too. I go downstairs and fill a smaller container with the amount of BSFL I need, and then immediately bring them upstairs and run them under warm water to wake them up (don't drown them, lol). Then I dust them and feed them. They typically can't crawl out of a mealworm bowl.
****Always feed the darkest colored BSFL first, because they contain the highest calcium content, and they are the closest to turning. If you keep BSFL at cooler temps between 55-60 degrees they should last for at least a month.***
How is your little one doing tonight?
It sounds like he is really improving! Slowly increase his insects, being sure they are small for
now, but he does need more protein.
I hope he continues to do better now. Let us know how he is progressing.
Here he is now I've just given him two of the smallest roaches I could find in my bin (less than 1/2 an inch). The BSFL I ordered should be here by Friday.
I'm so happy! I'm not exaggerating when I say two of his legs were literally paralyzed, but now he's running around the tank just fine. Something I've been doing it picking him up off his hammock where he basks and putting him on the other side of the tank to see if he'd go back on his own. And today he did!
He is definitely looking good & it sounds like he is 100% mobile again which is terrific!
I am happy to hear he has made such a turn around now. He looks very alert in the picture,
also.
Has he eaten much & gone to the bathroom, too??