Losing Weight FAST - Wont eat!

[michigan101]

For the past month or two I have been having major issues with Stella. She has coccidia which she was treated for. I took back another stool sample after the treatment and they said it was negative (even though I think they held the sample for 3 days before running it). Then I noticed she had 3 teeth missing from the side of her mouth. I thought maybe that is why she hasnt been eating. But its been a month since her teeth came out, I would imagine they are healed by now and not causing an issue. So I stopped syringe feeding her. Maybe she was going into an early brumation (even though she is 7 mos old)

SInce Ive stopped force feeding her, she is losing weight fast! She dropped from 294 to 283 grams in 6 days. She looks dingy and is very lethargic. Not sure what to do! PLEASE HELP!

Heres the rundown of her setup

40 gallon breeder tank
temp 105 basking (digital thermometer)
cool side 80
UVB reptisun 10.0 tube
substrate tile
1 wooden hide
1 basking rock
offered collard greens, crickets, all kinds of worm and even a pinky mouse. she wont eat anything

 

[munchkins9802]

I would go back to syringe feeding her for now.

 

[fez09]

I agree. Also, get some Critical care or Jumpstart (at Petco) but for now, feed her a little chicken baby food mixed with a little squash.

 

[michigan101]

Since she hasnt been eating, I took her poo to the vet today (figured it may be her last for a while)
Just as before they didnt see any eggs of any kind. They did give me Metronidazole (.2 CC for a 283 gram dragon) once orally. Guess it was to treat for any protozoan that may be present. If this doesnt work then we will be looking at bacterial infections?

I will get some jumpstart and keep syringe feeding her. I hate to though, it is sooo stressful on both of us. I will also keep giving acidopholus. Can you overdose a dragon with acidopholis? I got the store bought kind in the gel caps and mix it with sugar free apple sauce

 

[fez09]

When you syringe feed, do you force it in her mouth? I just drop it on their nose and they end up licking it off. As far as the acidophilliz, you could pm Tracie (one of the mods Drache613) she could answer that for you!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Did they do any blood work on your dragon?
Did they do a fecal then, since they prescribed Metronidazole? Do you know the concentration/strength of the solution by any chance?
I want to double check your dose to make sure it isn't too strong.
The acidophiliz that you purchased, is it dairy & lactose free & a powder? If so, that is great. You can give them a pretty good amount daily, but since it is a supplement or probiotic, there are not any "set" standard doses for reptiles or amphibians known right now. You can give a small pinch & that should be a safe amount.
However, there can be too much of a good thing, as we all know. If too much probiotic is given for too long, it can upset their intestinal tract balance of good to bad bacteria, over time.

Tracie

 

[michigan101]

Tracie,
Thanks for your reply as always!
They did run a fecal, the sample was about 2 hours old. They didn't run blood work though. I dont think I could afford THAT right now. Maybe in a few weeks though.

Metro is 50mg/ml .2 CC was given
The Acidophilus was purchased at Walgreens and is lactose/milk/gluten free and is a powder when the capsule is broken

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Sorry I missed that, good they ran a fecal before prescribing meds though I can't say I totally agree since the fecal was negative this time.
The acidophiliz should be fine then, since it is dairy free powder. You can just mix it with water, juice or food, no problem at all.
The dose of the Metronidazole is fine, it is dosed at 50mg/kg so that is within the safety parameters. Just make sure you keep her well hydrated while she is on the meds.

Let us know how she is doing.
Tracie