He's dying! Has anyone used Flucker's emergency reptile aide

[randisjoy]

I have always wanted a bearded dragon and I just had a couple fall into my lap that really need help, especially one. The second one seems to be undernourished but pretty good. She's alert and pretty active and ate very good yesterday. She (Blazer) seems to be slightly malnourished and dehydrated.

The VERY sick dragon (I named him Pilot) was COMPLETELY white yesterday. He was and still is not moving. He's just too weak.
I cant find his symptoms of the white on the internet at all. I'm not even sure if it's that important anymore and that maybe he just needs nourishment and heat?? He has gotten a lot of his gray/brown back except his head is still pretty white (I can give these updates because I've been at this forum for HOURS straight! . Does anybody have any ideas of what I can do to "bring this little guy back to health? I'm so scared for him.

Yesterday, when I got him home & saw he had NO strength to even try & eat, I went to the pet store and got Flucker's Repta Aid-an emergency aid to feed him with a syringe. Is anyone familiar with this? Directions say only feed them 50% of RDA for the 1st-4th days. I was told he is about 3 years old which makes him an adult? Directions said to give 6cc of warm water with 12 teaspoons of the Aid. So, for 1/2 amount I still gave him the full water but only 6tsps of the product. Even with just the 6 tsp instead of 12, it was SO SO thick that I ended up adding more water. He seemed to be a bit better but ONLY immediately (for a min or two)after feedings yesterday. Today, hmm, I guess. His color is much better today though. I did try to make it thicker and follow the directions to a 'T', but after I finished half the syringe tonight, my gut told me to go add a bit more warm water, so I did. Is it supposed to be so thick or am I reading the directions wrong?
He has opened his eyes today. A VERY little bit and it takes great effort. Yesterday he opened them for a split second right after I fed him and put him back in his home. He is really, really weak. It's hard to feed him while looking at his very sick face. His eyes almost look black and blue and they are "sunken in" too. He's just so sweet and fragile I hope I'm doing everything I can for this little guy!! Any suggestions would be SO appreciated.

Thanks SOO much,
Randi

 

[Loganator]

Bump!

Edit: Oops, just noticed you have another thread going that is getting replys. Good luck!

 

[randisjoy]

Thank you, Deb. VERY MUCH!! I wasn't sure what "bump" was, but now I see. I wish someone could answer because I REALLY want to feed him again right now!! He looks bad

 

[Loganator]

I really wish I could help Randi, but I have never used the Fluker's Repta aid. I have heard though that it is a good product for rehabbing sick or "off-food" beardies. Some other posts I have read about it in, say you can make it as thin as needed. But let's see if someone with more experience than I will have something to add.

I know you have several posts going trying to get help with this guy, so if I missed it in another, I apologize for asking. But what type of UV bulb are you using?

 

[randisjoy]

I'm using a 100 watt Mercury Vapor Light and a long one in a tube by Repti-Glo 5.0 UVB 20 watt. Is that even enough watts for a 40 gall breeder? From what I've read, I need to replace this though because it's two years old :?:

 

[Loganator]

The MVB by itself is enough UV for a 40 gallon breeder tank. If you plan on using that other UV tube in the second set-up, then yes, replace it with the Repti-Sun 10.0. The Repti-Glo 5.0 tubes are not a sufficient UV source.

 

[RioReptiles]

The reptiaid works great and gives them needed nutrition when off solid foods. Its best to mix with pedialyte and then later add butternut squash and chicken baby food. Before anything, start with just pedialyte so that he is hydrated. His body will need it to function properly to be able to absorb nutrients. Once he has taken pedialyte for a day or so, then start mixing in the reptiaid. Work your way up to butternut squash baby food for a few days and then start mixing in the chicken baby food. I also mix in alfalfa powder for my little guy who has been on it. It has been a life saver for him. Hope this helps, I read you have other posts going but every little bit helps in a situation like this.

 

[randisjoy]

Thank you, Cheryl. Yes, every bit helps and this thread, I think, is the MAIN life line right now for them both. This is the stuff trying to repair the damage. Right? Thank you very much!!!

 

[RioReptiles]

I'm definitely pulling for you. Its tough to go through. The pedialyte will also supply the most basic nourishment needed for bodily functions, I use the generic wal mart brand on a daily basis instead of water sometimes. You can even soak the dragon in it. I just went through it with a 10 gram baby who I thought for sure would die but is now eating, what a wonderful feeling.