Question about Syringe

[SapphireTheBeardie]

Hey, my bearded dragon wont eat crickets or greens or anything, and he hasn't pooped in quite a few days. So I bought some pure pumpkin, baby food squash & some olive oil to mix in with it. I have a syringe, but how am I supposed to feed him with that?? Can I just squirt it in his mouth?? And how much can I give him at one time??

 

[Esther19]

You might need to thin the mix with water, maybe not. Dribble the mix on the tip of his nose and over his lips. He should lick. It might take a few tries. Honestly, I make smacking noises with my lips and stick my tongue out as a visual aid. My boys get it when I do that. With my girl, I have to gently open the side of her mouth and squirt a little in so she can taste it, then she licks. Give him as much as he will take. Good luck!

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

Thank you!! I tried the baby food squash - olive oil mix first, and he loved it. Hes never been one to lick anything off of his nose and he was licking his lips the whole time. :lol: He did try to eat the syringe, but had no trouble getting the mixture into his mouth, although a few times he moved and the mixture shot all over the front of me. :roll: After he had enough, he looked just like a baby after you feed them, messy orange face. So I got a warm rag and washed his face. Hopefully he will poop now! I just hope I didn't give him to much to where he has a worse belly ache. Will update tomorrow if theres any poop progress! Again, thanks so much!! :mrgreen:

 

[Esther19]

Glad I could help. Awaiting news of a good pooper....

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

Gave him the pumpkin olive oil mix this morning then gave him a nice warm bath and low and behold a poop!!! checked it to make sure nothing funky was in it, just crickets. hoping this road to good poops and eating continues will update again soon
Thanks again.

 

[Esther19]

Yay for poop! Keeping him on a non-particulate substrate, and making sure his feeders are smaller than the space between his eyes will help avoid impaction in the future. So will keeping him well-hydrated. Glad everything came out okay. (Pun intended) Please let us know how he is getting along.

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

Yep, he has been on tile since we've had him (3 months now) and he hasn't been able to eat anything that would cause impaction. Still waiting for him to want to eat crickets (hopefully soon!) I've been sticking with the baby food/ pumpkin now and hes only pooped one poop but hopefully more to come. I even tried offering his favorite (dandelion flowers) and he stuck his nose up to those so I know he isn't feeling well. Just wish there was more I could do for my lovebugg Will continue to do the poo updates

 

[Esther19]

Hmmm...I wonder why he still isn't feeling well. You know, you might check your temps. I've spent the majority of the day working on temps for my 3, as things change as the weather warms up. My Buster has taken to hiding in his hide around 2 p.m. and staying there the remainder of the day. Still trying to figure that one out.....

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

On the warm end of his tank stays between 99-105 and the cool end around 80-84 and my boy has been staying in the cool end hiding which made me think brumation, but its not that time of the year???

Still trying everything possible to make him feel better. I just don't know why he all of a sudden got sick.

And it makes me want to cry because I feel like a horrible momma!!

 

[Esther19]

What kind of thermometer are you using? The round ones can be off by more than 20 degrees. You need a digital one with a probe (WalMart $12) or a temp gun.

It may be getting too hot for him as the weather is changing. I would reduce the wattage of the bulb or lower the basking spot and see if that helps until you can get a proper thermometer.

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

I am using a digital thermometer from petco with a probe. So it sure be accurate. Should I still turn down the temps? Even when i first turn on the lights in the morning and its only 87 ish after a few minutes, he stays out for maybe ten minutes then hides again.

 

[Esther19]

Is the probe directly on the basking spot? Do you wait for 45 min. to check?

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

Yes and yes. And i also move it to the cool end to make sure it stays around 80

 

[Esther19]

You are not a horrible Momma. You are doing the very best you can for your little guy, and doing everything right from what it sounds to me. I think my Buster is afflicted with the same thing Hennessy is. Maybe he just likes his naps?

 

[SapphireTheBeardie]

I wouldn't be worried if he was eating and pooping. But hes not