just has no appetite

[karen84]

Hi all

I've had Romeo since the end of August and had trouble with him eating from day one.
But he just has no appetite and it's concerning me.
If I'm lucky he will eat 3 hoppers a day and maybe a wax worm or two thats on a good day. On a bad day all he gets is the sweet potato puree that I feed him and he takes off a syringe.
He weighs 46 grams, so only put on 20 grams since I got him and he is 11 inches long.
I'm not concerned about his set up, that's all fine but he just isn't interested in hoppers or worms or his veg.
He'll look at it as if he's going to eat it and then runs off under his hide again!
Any help would be appreciated!!
Karen

 

[Katiema10]

Try feeding him in a separate area. We feed our girl in a plastic tub, because she won't eat in her tank.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Can you give a rundown of his set up? I know you said it's spot on but it's easier to help if you can do that. Also have you had a fecal done ? Is he housed alone ?

 

[karen84]

Hi yes, lives alone.
He was injured when I got him which is why I bought him home from work as we couldn't sell him with an injury. That's all healed now and luckily didn't loose his tail.
He has a 4 ft viv, 100watt basking spot at one end and a 10.0 uv strip tube along the top. Temps are 40c - 43c at the hot end and around 25c cool end. I bath him every other day.
He has shed once fully since I got him and that's in the last two weeks. But his legs and underside shed about a month ago and then his back last week.
I use paper towel substrate he has two hides one at each end he loves his hot hide and loves to climb.
He's active most in the evening out and about running about.
He poos every day and looks normal goes on his hammock every day without fail which hangs at his hot end.
Haven't had any tests done yet.
Have just ordered some dubia Roches to try.
He does love his sweet potato puree he comes out for it when he sees the syringe lol

 

[kingofnobbys]

Sounds like the little beardie is about 3 months old ? Should be taking 2 meals of insects per day at least + some greens , grated/diced vegs and maybe some softened lizard pellets each day.

Is the little guy getting sufficient UVA - promotes activity and feeding ? Is the little guy able to get close enough to the T5 or T8 UV tube to benefit from the UVA and UVB given off by it ?

How long are the UV and basking lights on each day ? If it's too short a day cycle - this might discourage feeding (perhaps).

Cut back on the bathing, every other day is WAY TOO FREQUENT to be bathing any beardie. Should only bath them if they need help loosening up a difficult shedding, have soiled themselves, are maybe a bit constipated, or it's REALLY HOT. You risk an RI.

You could try a supplement called HerpaBoost (is very good for encouraging ill and poor feeders to eat) ?

You may need to hand-feed your problem child - is easy to do and at least that way you will know it's getting all the insect protein it needs to grow up big and healthy.

Of cause it may be that it doesn't like the insects you are offering, try small gut load calcium and vitamin dusted crickets, or perhaps medium silkworms.

 

[Kashki]

My dragon was just like this. He was sick when I got him and never really started to eat normally.

Recently I got him a new UV light and positioned it a bit better so he's always under it (and closer). I also gave him some soy yogurt for a few days and suddenly he's smashing food (5 days straight now). Totally different lizard.

 

[karen84]

Well romeo has been to the vet and romeo is actually a girly so her name is now Enya
But she had a fairly bad worm infestation so we have wormed her and given antibiotics and she goes back in another week for another wormer.
I'm hoping she will start to feel better soon, she's still enjoying her baby food so I'm doing that for her and also got some Repto boost too.
I have been out to get another slightly longer dessert uv bulb so it now covers 3ft of her viv instead of the 2ft one I had.
So fingers crossed!!

 

[Kashki]

Well romeo has been to the vet and romeo is actually a girly so her name is now Enya
But she had a fairly bad worm infestation so we have wormed her and given antibiotics and she goes back in another week for another wormer.
I'm hoping she will start to feel better soon, she's still enjoying her baby food so I'm doing that for her and also got some Repto boost too.
I have been out to get another slightly longer dessert uv bulb so it now covers 3ft of her viv instead of the 2ft one I had.
So fingers crossed!!

Excellent news. My dragon had an infestation when I got him too (seems the stress of relocation can really mess up their immune system). A couple of weeks after the treatment I gave mine a probiotic and it seemed to help
I think it'll be all uphill from here!