Lethargic hatchling (4g)

[TinyBlue]

Hi!

On Tuesday this week I found a clear plastic box with a dragon hatchling inside, abandoned on top of a bin on the street. The little guy has a malformation on one foot and that's proibably why he was (so cruelly!) discarded. I have had dragons for years and at the moment I have two adult ladies (one is 10 years old and the other is presumed to be 2-3 y.o.). I have set up an impromptu little enclosure for this baby but he doesn't seem to be doing too well. I'm feeding him critical care which I happened to have at home and yesterday I tried him with a bit of turkey and vegetables baby food. He eats a tiiiiny bit,then goes back to sleep. A tiny bit is licking the tip of a coffee spoon in a way that seems to make no difference to the content of said spoon. I've also tried a syringe but it looked like it might have been too much (only 0.2ml) and he spent the rest of the day sleeping. I fed him 4 or 5 times yesterday, when I gave him critial care he looked alert (head up, tip of the tail up) for a wee while right after; with the baby food he just went to sleep. He's absolutely tiny! He weighs 4g - he pooped on Wednesday and yesterday again. But I feel he's slipping away and I don't know what else to do for him...

 

[Claudiusx]

At that age and size they can be quite fragile. The foot deformity might just be the surface issue, and it's possible there are other internal issues at play also.

That being said, the little guy is definitely worth trying to save. What you're doing sounds good for now. You can only continue doing what you are doing and hope the nutrients start to absorb and give him some strength back.

Does he move around at all or does he pretty much just lie there all the time?

-Brandon

 

[TinyBlue]

Thank you for your input, Brandon. No, he does not move much, but occasionally he does. He seems to be able to walk ok with his funny foot. I'll just keep him warm and feed him. How many times a day is ok to feed him? ANd how much, in terms of weight of food and his own weight?

 

[Claudiusx]

At his weight there is really no measuring. Give him food until he stops eating. I'd do this at least two to three times a day depending on the relative amount he is eating. You'll figure out a schedule with him that seems to work and can adjust it from there.

As long as he is taking in nutrients and basking so that he can digest and utilize those nutrients, that's what is important at this step.

It's good that he can walk. He will likely learn how to get around just fine once he gets his strength back.

-Brandon

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor thing, he definitely deserves a chance that you are giving him!
Is it cold where you are at?
As Brandon stated, even with a bad foot, he will learn to move around
& adapt. He may just be very weak & dehydrated due to being away
from a controlled environment & without food, etc. Hopefully he will be
stronger once he gets some nutrition into him.
If you can keep him a little warmer overnight, around 75-80F to help
boost his system right now.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[TinyBlue]

Hi again,


Thanks for all your replies, they're much appreciated. Yesterday he ate ok (with a syringe) but didn't poo. Today I fed him again this morning and he looked much better, eyes wide open and moving around a little on my hand, turning around to look at me... but after I left him again in his tank, he puked twice in about one hour so I'm not sure what to do now... I'm reluctant to feed him again, should I wait until he poos? Or should I give him a little water? a tiny bath to move things along? Just leave him in peace for a wee while? He's asleep now, but he was more awake today, only now I think he maybe wasn't feeling very well... I'm confused!
Here it's still winter but definitely moving towards spring (north of Spain), no frosts this week.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi again,


Thanks for all your replies, they're much appreciated. Yesterday he ate ok (with a syringe) but didn't poo. Today I fed him again this morning and he looked much better, eyes wide open and moving around a little on my hand, turning around to look at me... but after I left him again in his tank, he puked twice in about one hour so I'm not sure what to do now... I'm reluctant to feed him again, should I wait until he poos? Or should I give him a little water? a tiny bath to move things along? Just leave him in peace for a wee while? He's asleep now, but he was more awake today, only now I think he maybe wasn't feeling very well... I'm confused!
Here it's still winter but definitely moving towards spring (north of Spain), no frosts this week.

Lets have AHBD help you here
@AHBD

 

[Claudiusx]

If he puked he might have ate too much or too quickly. Try to keep the feedings slow paced and smaller quantities for now.

-Brandon

 

[AHBD]

Poor little thing, yes he couldn't digest it for some reason as Brandon said but it might also have been caused by not enough heat or too much heat. To cover all possibilities can you post pics of his enclosure and lighting ?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

We are all pulling for him here! I agree, he has been through a lot of stress so do keep feedings
small for him.
Are you able to keep him a little warmer overnight also to help out his system?

Tracie

 

[TinyBlue]

Yes, he was warmer overnight, but he moved to a cooler area.This morning, he's looking worse. I thought he was dead, because he looks dehidrated. I might be giving him too runny food and he seems to have pooed too runny and be dehydrated, but now I'm giving him some watery critical care with a dash of calcium and he seems to have picked up a bit, but still looks like a raisin, all shriveled up. He's not opening his eyes, but moves a bit. I don't want to stress him but I have to in order to feed him, so I'm a bit torn as to what to do.

 

[julianxcradle]

Hi everyone, I’m Julian XCradle!

I’m thrilled to be part of this amazing community. I have a strong passion for bearded dragons,, and I’m always eager to learn from others. I’ve been exploring this hobby for a while now and love sharing experiences, tips, and knowledge.

Looking forward to connecting with like-minded people, exchanging insights, and growing together. Feel free to reach out—I’d love to chat and learn from you all!

Excited to be here!

 

[TinyBlue]

Ok, now he's a bit more lively, basking under his lamp and in typical dragon position. I am thinking of giving him a mashed down mealworm? would that do for something more substantial and not diarrhea inducing? Or is it too much for a weak baby?

 

[TinyBlue]

Unfortunately, I think he's dead now. We'll keep him in the tank until tomorrow, but ass I said, he looks a lot thinner than even yesterday and he seems to not be breathing. I never got round to feed him much anything today, because he looked so poorly, and he didn't poo or puke again, but I think something went seriously wrong yesterday - although I'm not sure what. Anyway, I hope he died feeling like someone cared about him, if nothing else.

 

[KarrieRee]

Unfortunately, I think he's dead now. We'll keep him in the tank until tomorrow, but ass I said, he looks a lot thinner than even yesterday and he seems to not be breathing. I never got round to feed him much anything today, because he looked so poorly, and he didn't poo or puke again, but I think something went seriously wrong yesterday - although I'm not sure what. Anyway, I hope he died feeling like someone cared about him, if nothing else.

I am sorry to hear but at least you tried - he had a very rough start to life and who ever abandoned him didnt have much feeling