Possibly Dehydrated Bearded Dragon! Need HELP Fast!

[Drache613]

Hello,

If the crickets are smaller than the space between the eyes you shouldn't need to worry about impaction issues at all. It sounds like he is doing better.
It is always slow for them to progress after they have been ill.
The Metronidazole can be given for flagellates, protozoans or some vets will give as an appetite stimulant. It hasn't been proven as a highly effective appetite stimulant. It probably just helps clear out the system some. You can also get some bee pollen powder to sprinkle on his food, too which will help to boost his appetite & immune system, too.

Tracie

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Well there was one cricket that was pretty big, but Spike got to it before I did. Do i need to worry about one cricket causing an impaction, or would it take a few crickets?

 

[Kiara1125]

Impaction happens more from mealworms than crickets. It would take quite a few large crickets, trust me. One large cricket shouldn't be a problem. :wink:

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Ok, he has been doing really well, and eats a minimum of 8 crickets a day, and is gaining weight fast. I am going in tomorrow to the vet, because they think it would be a good idea to give him a booster dose of the metranidazole. However, when I went to feed him today, I realized he is very spooked by me. Now, because he has been doing better, my cats have taken an interest in him, and despite my best efforts, occasionally jump on top of his cage (it is only my one cat that does this, and he is a kitten, and doesn't weigh that much). I close the door to my room when I'm not home, but it doesn't seem to be working for the rest of the day. Well anyways, I noticed today, when I went to put in his crickets, he was very jumpy. About an hour after I fed him, I decided I would hold him, because I hadn't done so in a while. Well he was very afraid of me, and ran away from my hand when I got to close. I think this is partially from my cats, but I think a decent amount of it is from me force feeding him, and taking him to the vet, when he was sick. I know that bearded dragons are normally very interactive, and like to just sit on shoulders and hands, but how do I gain that trust back?

 

[DovahDad]

Regarding the trust/spooking issue, I imagine you are correct that he's stressed and on edge due to the cats. They will certainly seem like potential predators to him. Is there any way you can keep the door closed and the cats out of that room at all times? If not, can his enclosure be moved to a good spot that you can keep the cats away from? You don't need him being stressed, as that can impact their health. You also said you hadn't held him in a little while, and he probably does associate you with force feeding at this point. Just keep spending time with him, try hand feeding him, and keeping your hand near him to help him get used to you. When you pick him up, make sure you're sliding your hand under him from the side where he can see it, not above. It takes time to build trust, particularly where there are other animals he perceives as threats around.

As for taking him to vet and getting more metranidazole, can I ask why you think he needs it? If he is eating 8 crickets a day minimum and gaining weight fast, a trip to the vet and more medicine could actually do more harm to his system than good. I would be interested to hear what other users think, though.

I think the best thing you can do for him right now would be to keep the cats away from him at all times and patiently build your relationship.

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Ok, FINAL UPDATE. He has been doing absolutely amazing, he eats at least 20 crickets a day, is very alert, and has nearly tripled his body weight from when he was sick. I just started seeing him start his first full body shed. Thank you all so much for the help, I really appreciate it!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is good to hear he is eating very well!
So he is shedding now?
Is he off all medications now? Definitely try to minimize the exposure to the cats which will stress him out.
That is terrific he has tripled his weight also. Please keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Yep, he has been off all medications for about 2 weeks now, and just today, he started shedding all over his body (I will post pictures tomorrow). He has been doing great and has finally returned to his normal self, and eats like crazy. His body weight as of today was around 22 grams (it was after he ate, so might be a little less). And Thanks again to everyone, he was in really bad shaped, and all the support was really nice, and I really appreciate it!

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Pictures:

 

[DovahDad]

He's looking good! Very handsome. I'm glad to hear he's doing so well.

 

[Ofthelime]

Ya this is some site huh!? People should put this site on the requirements list for bearded dragons lol

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

He is looking mighty proud & majestic!
How close is that light to him?
I am glad that he is doing much better now.

Tracie

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Ok, he is still doing great and weighs 30 grams now, but lately it seems his pooping has been off. He finished his shed about a week ago, and his tail is shedding now, so it must be a bit behind, but the past few days he hasn't been pooping regularly. I had put sand in his cage cause someone from That Fish Place said it was ok, then i did research and put the carpet over top of the sand, because I thought the sand could be causing problems, but it doesn't seem to have changed anything. I haven't let him go without pooping for more than a day because I get worried and force him to take a bath until he poops, but i would rather not give him a bath every other day. Is his pooping schedule going to change the older he gets or not?

 

[DovahDad]

Their poop schedule can indeed shift as they mature, and even just from day to day or week to week, just like humans' schedules can. It sounds like he's still going about every day or two, correct? If he's still eating normally and acting normal otherwise, I wouldn't get too worried about it. They can also act differently when they shed.

As for the sand, some people use it without issue, while others avoid it like the plague. However, I can tell you it should be avoided for dragons under 14 inches in length tip to tail. Larger dragons should be able to ingest the occasional grains and still pass them, if temperatures and humidity are right. Since yours is only around 3 months old, I would avoid sand until he's older and larger.

Edit: What kind of carpet are you using?

 

[TheRealGamer03]

I forget what its called, but I'm pretty sure it's one from zoomed. The sand is still in the tank, but i covered it for the most part with the carpet, when i saw him eat it a little. The sand still occasionally slips through the cracks but I don't think he's eating it. Would it be safer to just take out the sand? I have been forcing him to poop every 24 hours cause I get very worried when he goes past that cause he normally poops daily.