How long can a BD go w/o eating?

[jenn4turtles]

Hello, again!

As I posted on Sunday, I took Smauggie to the vet for her first visit on Saturday morning, and she hasn't been the same since. He examined her, took a fecal swab, and told me that everything was normal and that she was healthy, which was great news. BUT ... she hasn't eaten since the morning before the visit. I managed to "force" her to eat a couple of pieces of greens Sunday night, and my son said that he got her to eat 2 little dubias yesterday evening, but that's barely anything to her. She normally eats 15 dubias 2x's a day, and greens at lunch. She's also not as active as she usually is. Of course, she isn't pooping, but since she's not really eating, I'm not surprised.

I know that the experience was probably stressful for her - that swab looked scary to me! And she was out of her tank (and away from her lights) for several hours (10:30 appt, but didn't get seen by the vet til after 12:30), so that probably didn't help. I'm doing my best to spend extra time with her, and to try to reassure her that she's home, and she doesn't have to go back to that bad place again (well, at least until next year, but I'm not telling her that )

I know it's probably nothing, but she's worrying me something awful! I hate to see her not being herself ... We really adore the little thing, and I hate to think that she feels sick or hungry or sad, or whatever it is that she's feeling.

So ... How long can a BD go without eating? I know that they don't eat when they are in brumation, but she's completely awake, so I would think that she needs some sustenance ... ? Certainly, she wouldn't starve herself ... Right?

Any thoughts are appreciated! I'm so worried about my little girl!

 

[Brezzy99]

Poor baby! I wish I could answer all your questions, but it have no idea. When one of my dragons stopped eating on their own I used bee pollen and acidophiluz+. Within a week of using it he started eating on his own again!

 

[jenn4turtles]

What is acidophiluz? And where can I get it?

The vet's office says to bring her back in if she's not eating, but I don't know how great of an idea that is. (With my work schedule, I really can't anyway.) He's the only vet in the "area" (he's actually about 40 min away), and my regular vet (for my cats) suggested him, but I really wasn't happy with our first visit there, so I'm leery about going back. I was actually going to find another vet for next year's visit when it got closer. But now she's not eating, and I don't know what to do!

 

[Brezzy99]

http://www.beardeddragon.co/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=60

They also have the bee pollen. You can get some squash and chicken baby food to feed her.

 

[jenn4turtles]

How did I not know about this site? LOL.

Just for the record, she isn't taking any meds, and her fecal sample came back free of parasites, but it says it can be used anytime, so I guess it can't hurt!

Does it help increase appetite?

 

[Brezzy99]

It absolutely worked for Spyro. I used bee pollen and acidophiluz. Spyro wouldn't eat for 2 months on his own. I was feeding him slurries everyday. Within a week of feeding him bee pollen mixed in his slurry and the acidophiluz, he started eating on his own! I had even taken him to the vet and he didn't have any parasites. It was weird but I'm am so happy he is eating on his own again.

 

[jenn4turtles]

Any idea why he stopped eating in the first place? (I'm fairly confident that Smauggie stopped b/c the vet visit was so traumatic for her. The vet is an avian and exotic vet, and I think the birds in the place, the smell of them, their noise, etc. for the hours that she was there was just too much for her.)

And what's a slurry? Do you think she might eat it?

 

[Taterbug]

If she is in good health and has good fat reserves she can go a while with out eating. I wouldn't rush to use baby food quite yet, and no she shouldn't starve herself. Give her a few days to relax and recover and maybe try the supplements first. If she is healthy she doesn't need the food the same way a mammal would.

I use the bee pollen and probiotics too - I mix them together in a little water and drip it on his nose. He seems to like the taste of it and I found sometimes he's more willing to eat food right after drinking.

If you consider going back ask the vet what they would do first - there's not much they can do unless they suspect something in particular is wrong. It is likely the stress overwhelmed her and doing it again won't help at all. I'd look for another vet if you are unhappy with this one, or prepair to be more assertive about procedures that maybe too stressfullf they aren't needed. Things like a fecal can wait until they happen naturally and you may be able to find a mail in lab to test for you (or do it yourself) to save the drive.

 

[jenn4turtles]

I really need to look into using bee pollen and probiotics! Up until now, I only do calcium and Reptivite (which, of course, she hasn't had since Saturday morning). I guess I thought, "if she's doing well, she's good", and never looked into other possible products that might help her.

I had the same thought - they're not going to really do anything but look at her, and that visit was stressful enough. I hate to take her back. I think he's a good vet, and I know people that recommend him, but as an avian vet; I don't know anyone else that uses him as a reptile vet. I called my local pet shop (just opened a couple of months ago), and the guy there suggested one where I live - wished I had known that sooner! He says that he had an adult BD surrendered to him that didn't eat for 3 weeks :shock: - but that she hadn't been handled much prior and was literally "dropped off", as is - no tank, food, items, nothing. (She's eating now and has stopped biting him. )

I wanted to bring in a sample myself, but sometimes she skips a day, so, of course, the one time I needed her to poop ... :roll: I didn't know I could test for that myself. The main reason that I went was so that she could have a fecal done, since she came from PetSmart, which may not take care of their animals as well as they should, and since she primarily eats live insects, which can carry parasites.

As far as fat reserves, she's not very plump. The vet said that her weight for her age and length was good (260.5 g, 17", ~6 months) and that she had good muscle tone, so I don't want her to lose that.

If I do try baby food, can I buy it from the grocery, or does it need to be a special brand for a BD?

 

[AHBD]

I'm sure that it's the stress and I agree with Tater that another trip would do nothing more than increase her stress. She will be fine, just let her relax, keep her warm mostly in her tank and not out with you. Warmth of her tank will help her more than snuggling , even though that's what we equate with pampering or reassuring our pet.

By the way, how did the vet do a fecal swab ? Did he actually put something in her vent ? If so, that would be stressful....just give her time. Adult or sub adult beardies can go weeks without eating, although it's not ideal it can happen but she will probably start eating again soon. And a vet that is an exotic vet may or may not have much experience at all with beardies.

 

[jenn4turtles]

Yes, he actually stuck the swab inside her vent. What I think made it more stressful is that the vet tech tried it first, but was unsuccessful at getting a sample, so then the vet himself did it on the next try. No wonder she's stressed, huh?

I will have to resist snuggling ... It's going to hurt me more than her right now, I'm sure.

I know people who go to him for birds, but I don't know anyone else with a reptile, so I don't know anyone that brings one to him. I think he's probably better with avian clients; although his son (I assume it was his son) came into the exam room with him, and he said that had a BD, so ... :dontknow: I'm already looking for a new vet for next year ... According to Jeff (new local pet shop owner) there's a vet place a mile from my house that sees reptiles. Kinda annoyed that the cats' vet didn't mention that to me. I drove 40 min (one-way) and spent hours at the bird vet, which I would gladly do for the Smauggie-girl, but if there was another vet closer ... It probably would've been easier on her. I could've probably even dropped off a fecal sample on another day, rather than subject her to the swab while we were there, had it been closer.

What can I say? This little dragon has my heart! :love5:

 

[Brezzy99]

He stuck the swab inside her vent? :shock: I've never heard of that before. A slurry is just the veggies I usually feed to him with calcium or vitamins added to It. Mi would put in the food processor and feed through a syringe.

Glad the others cleared up how long they can go without eating. Spyro didn't eat for a week before I started him on slurries. He had also lost weight which is why I resorted to alternate feeding methods.

Please let us know how she is doing!

 

[jenn4turtles]

I was a little ... Surprised myself. :shock: She was not happy! When the vet techs tried the 1st time, she threw a tantrum and knocked stuff off the counter nearby. She knows how to swing and roll that tail like a angry gator!

I will keep everyone posted! Thanks for all the responses and concern!

 

[Taterbug]

Poor thing - there are also specialized rubber tools (look kinda like a bubble wand) for getting a sample.... Can't imagine any of them are pleasant.

Be careful adding supplements if you choose too - they are intended for very small doses. Something like butternut squash would have a good calcium balance, and you can go back to vitamins when she is eating on her own. You can get the purée baby food at the grocery store or even just blend up a fresh squash and some greens. For now, just drip it on her nose or offer with a spoon though, if she refuses dont harass her with it. Force/assist feeding will only stress her more and may put her off food for longer. Hopefully she relaxes and starts eating before you do all that.

 

[jenn4turtles]

She's still not eating, and I'm resisting from taking her out cage, but it's killing me. I want to snuggle her and make it all better!

Some pics from when I went home at lunch:


Clearly looking anywhere but at me. *sigh*


"Are you still there ...?"


"You're the one who took me to see that mean, mean man, at that evil place."