question about growth 2 yr old

[secretevo]

I have posted on this forum several times, and do really appreciate the information I have recieved from this site. I have a 1 and half year old bearded dragon which I purchased from Petco (big mistake, I know). I didn't know the bad reputation till visiting this site. Any how, I have given this lil guy everything I know to do. He has a 2' x 3' x 3' enlcosure. With a heat bulb above his basking log with the temp there at 102-103 and it is 80 in his cool side. At night it drops to 70 and his lights go out on a timer. I do have the proper temp taking tools, not the sticker things on the wall. I do use a UVB bulb as well that I change out every 6 months. I use reptisun 10.0 and it is the proper distance to him by the products guidelines. I soak him several times a week, which is typically when he has bowel movements. I have offered phoenix worms, wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and a variety of greens and some fruit. I am always trying to find something new he might eat good. I can get him to eat a lil and thats it. From the time I got him still to this day the most this lizard has ever eated at once is 5-8 bugs and a bite of produce. I have never had him eat with vigor as other people's beardies seem to do. I do supplement his food a couple times a week with calcium powder, and spray his veggies a couple times a week with vitamins. It's not uncommon for him to go 2 days without eating. It happens often. I do not house him on sand, I know it is not recommended. I use a solid floor mat which I clean several times weekly. I have had fecal test done on him recently and he was positive for pinworms. Which me and the vet gave him ivermectin. (i am a dog and cat vet tech, but contacted an exotic vet about the treatment) So my lil guy is only 12-13 inches and I know ALOT smaller than others of his size. I think I have covered all the things that I might be asked about his living situation. I will be happy to answer any other info you might need. I am just looking for some idea on what else I can do. He doesn't look skinny or un healthy. He actually looks perfectly fine, just small. I don't understand..
thanks in advance, Christina

 

[BaskingBaby]

Hi Christina My first dragon was also from Petco before I knew any better. It sounds like you've been doing everything right - the temps and UVB sound good, and the fact that you don't use sand. The only thing I can add is that my petco dragon, Zander, has always had the proper care, has always eaten like a horse, but is still very small. He's 2 years old and only 16". He's fat, active, and very healthy. I just think the improper care they receive while staying at the petstore combined with bad genetics is the cause for their small size.

 

[secretevo]

I kinda was thinking it could be just a genetic thing, from bad breeding. As a vet assistant we see similar things with dogs from pet stores/puppy mills. I really had no idea about the petco issues till i joined here. I just mainly don't understand his lack of appetite. I have never seen him eat really good.

 

[BaskingBaby]

I kinda was thinking it could be just a genetic thing, from bad breeding. As a vet assistant we see similar things with dogs from pet stores/puppy mills. I really had no idea about the petco issues till i joined here. I just mainly don't understand his lack of appetite. I have never seen him eat really good.

I'm a vet tech as well! I didn't know about petco's issues until I joined here too. The lack of appetite is strange though. It could be because of the worms. I would try some Repta-Aid or JumpStart - both are sold online or Petsmart and sometimes can really get their appetite going. If one of mine misses a meal for a couple days I'll give them a syringe or two of ReptaAid and they are usually back up to speed after that. They LOVE the ReptaAid. Do you have any pics of him? We love pics

 

[Gail]

Did you ever retest him for parasites after his treatment? You should also know that ivermectin is toxic to reptiles and deadly to some snake species, he should have received panacur instead. I do believe that the ivermectin info pamphlet even says not recommended for reptiles.

 

[secretevo]

Did you ever retest him for parasites after his treatment? You should also know that ivermectin is toxic to reptiles and deadly to some snake species, he should have received panacur instead. I do believe that the ivermectin info pamphlet even says not recommended for reptiles.

I only went with ivermectic because I was instructed to do so by a well known exotic vet around here. Ivermectin is not labeled for alot of it's uses in the animal world, however it is used and with success. I would not have thought to use it had I not been instructed to do so by a trusted colleague.

 

[secretevo]

I just gave him his first dose of medication a few days ago, he has one more dose 2 weeks from now. And then I will do a re check on the fecal. I am also treating him with reptaid, because I do think that stuff is awesome. I do seem to notice a lil pick up in his activity and appetite when i use it.

 

[Jess]

My dragon is originally from Petco too- He was very sick, and was going to be put down, but they gave him to me for free instead. I wouldnt ever give Petco money/support for a beardie though. Anyways, Wink is pretty small too. He is only 12 1/2 inches at 5 months, so it is probably a genetic thing. He doesnt have as big of an appetite as other dragon his size either, but he still manages to grow about 1/2 inch a week. The receptionist at my vets adopted Winks "brother" who had his foot amputated, but her beardie is ALOT bigger than Wink. I guess it all depends on the beardie, but there is definatly something up with Petco.

 

[secretevo]

I kinda was thinking it could be just a genetic thing, from bad breeding. As a vet assistant we see similar things with dogs from pet stores/puppy mills. I really had no idea about the petco issues till i joined here. I just mainly don't understand his lack of appetite. I have never seen him eat really good.

I'm a vet tech as well! I didn't know about petco's issues until I joined here too. The lack of appetite is strange though. It could be because of the worms. I would try some Repta-Aid or JumpStart - both are sold online or Petsmart and sometimes can really get their appetite going. If one of mine misses a meal for a couple days I'll give them a syringe or two of ReptaAid and they are usually back up to speed after that. They LOVE the ReptaAid. Do you have any pics of him? We love pics

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Here's the a picture of Godzilla my lil mini beardie..

 

[Gail]

Ivermectin is not labeled for alot of it's uses in the animal world

I'm aware of this, most medicine is used for things its not intended for but in this case, the manufacturer actually included a warning not to use it with reptiles. I understand why you would believe a colleague over me but do your own research. Specialist have killed reptiles with that medicine and I highly recommend you reconsider using it again.

 

[secretevo]

Ivermectin is not labeled for alot of it's uses in the animal world

I'm aware of this, most medicine is used for things its not intended for but in this case, the manufacturer actually included a warning not to use it with reptiles. I understand why you would believe a colleague over me but do your own research. Specialist have killed reptiles with that medicine and I highly recommend you reconsider using it again.

I appreciate your response and understand. I will look into my other options.