Problems With My Dragon

[ryanm051]

So we had our first visit to the vet today after taking over ownership of all I can say is a poorly looked after dragon, she wasn't being fed enough (weighing 280 grams).

Things the vet found
1. Mouth abscess/ mouth rot, tooth came out with cotton wool bud.
2. Obviously still very skinny.
3. Dehydrated.
4. Possible infection, prescribed Bytril.

I try to feed her 2-3 times a day but she doesn't seem interested at all, the maximum she will eat is 3 live food, I change her water minimum of twice daily, I bath her 3 times a week minimum.

Tank size: 5 foot in length
UV Bulb: Zoomed 10.00 UVB rating (less than a month old)
Heat Bulb: 100W White heat bulb
Live Food: Locusts, Morioworms, wax worms and mealworms.
Vegetables: Rocket, Dandelion Leafs, Greens and Bell Peppers.
Supplements: Exoterra Calcium + D3, multivitamins, soft adult bearded dragon pellets

Is there anything I'm doing wrong? I hate seeing any animal like this and I want her to be healthy

 

[HylianHealeys]

What are her temps (basking, warm, cool)?

Sounds like she may be still experiencing relocation stress. Back off a little until she's eating regularly.
- Only offer food 1x/day. Offering it more often is unnecessary and likely annoying.
- Her water only needs to be changed 1x/day unless she gets it dirty.
- She only needs to be bathed/soaked 2x/week at most. Bearded dragons do not absorb water through their skin or vent, so the benefit of bathing more often is minimal, and likely causes her more stress.

Waxworms and morio worms are not very nutritious. Waxworms are good for fattening a skinny dragon, but be careful — they can contribute to fatty liver disease. She should be okay for now, but they should be fed less than the other insects. Morio worms are actually very high in phosphorous and can do more harm than good, preventing your bearded dragon from retaining the calcium that her body needs. For information on the most nutritious insects to help get her weight back up, read this article: Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts for Reptile Keepers.

Be careful with the calcium and multivitamins. Calcium only needs to be dusted on insects (not salad), and multivitamins should only be sprinkled on the salad 2x/week.

Her lack of appetite may also be due to the medication she's on. Sprinkling probiotic powder on her salad or administering probiotic paste like Bene-Bac Plus Gel for Birds and Reptiles can help her recover her appetite and overall get better faster.

Finally, I would recommend reading through the bearded dragon care guide mentioned in my signature. It's fairly comprehensive and should help answer some of your other questions.

 

[ryanm051]

Hot 40-45°C Cool 30-35°C
I only offer to her more than once a day if she didnt eat the first time
She is very messy so I always have to change her water regularly, same for her bathing/soaking.

The vet suggested feeding her morioworms and wax worms until shes reached a normal weight, I do only dust her live food with calcium and d3.

She has only been on her medication from today but her appetite has been bad since I've had her.

 

[HylianHealeys]

Your basking and warm temps look good, but the cool end is too warm. Is there any way you can get it down to 26°?

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your veterinarian on the morio worms. They really aren't a good feeder for reptiles as anything other than treats. It's not the fat content I'm worried about; it's the phosphorous, which can weaken her bones (as well as the rest of her body). Silkworms, hornworms, roaches, and black soldier fly larvae are better options.

Keeping handling to a minimum and letting her rest is going to be the best way to help her heal and eat. I would still recommend administering probiotic paste with each Baytril dose.

 

[ryanm051]

Will try getting her cool end down today, its difficult to getting those foods in the UK but if I find anywhere I be sure to keep getting them.

Thank you so much for you advice

 

[HylianHealeys]

Keep us updated! I hope she starts getting better soon. <3