I think he's too skinny!

[Caramell]

Hey everyone,

Grisha stopped eating his salad all of a sudden a week ago and still won't eat it, and didn't poop until yesterday. He was 400 grams last week before he pooped, and I just weighed him and he's dropped to 350 grams(the way he was 2 weeks ago). He won't eat salads, but he takes superworms without a problem. Picky or something else? SHould I continue to just feed him superworms to give him more protein?

I just really want to know whether he's too skinny or not. He's 18 inches, about a year and a half old, and 350 grams. I think he looks really skinny here. FYI, the fat pads on his head are fine and not sunken it. Also, he is not dehydrated as he has gotten daily baths this week and his skin is elastic-y.These were taken just now.

 

[Beardednoob]

His torso seems skinny but, the rest of him appears fine.

 

[Caramell]

Okay thank you! I'm looking into getting a fecal done for him just to make sure. He matched up parasite symptoms, so I'm really worried. And my mom gave me the okay to look up a vet that can do it as long as I know the amount it will cost beforehand. Should I still continue with feeding him just superworms(dusted of course) if he won't eat salad?

 

[Kalyn876]

Also if you ask the receptionist at the vet to have a fecal done without seeing the dragon it is much less stressful on them and a lot cheaper. If he has parasites you will have to book an appt for him to see a vet, but I have saved tons of money just by asking.

Kalyn

 

[Beardednoob]

Yes, if you stop feeding him "if" there are parasites present they will turn to other sources for nourishment as the one they may have been utilizing is now depleted.
I think fecals in general can run 45-65$ if the results are clear, if they are not then there will be medications and or a consultation. :wink:

 

[Jess]

He looks a tad thin to me, I can kind of see his hip bones. He isn't that bad though.

And a fecal at my vet is $24, and Panacur is around $15. They shouldn't be too expensive.

 

[Caramell]

Okay then, I'll still offer salads and continue with the superworms. Good thing he likes eating those almost nonstop.

Thanks Jess. I'm going to call the vet's office tomorrow and ask about it, and hopefully I can do something about this as soon as possible. Money's tight now, but I hope the prices are reasonable!

 

[Caramell]

Okay so I called the vet's office, they said that the test will range from 23 to 31 dollars, which is good news. Though I have to call back on Monday to actually schedule the appointment. I asked if I could bring the sample, but the receptionist said something about that not being possible because of the different possible tests. :s

Also, I tricked him into eating shredded squash by making a superworm sandwich -- using tongs I grabbed a bunch of squash, the grabbed a worm, then more squash, so when he would go for the worm he'd grab squash by accident. He also ate one strawberry today.