Wow, I just read a lot of info but need clarification on something if anyone can help. I apologize for the long post, but I must give you background info so you know where I am going with this. I have ordered Reptaid and as of May 1st it was shipped to me, I was hoping to use it for Emmalee's lack of appetite, but here's the confusion: other than refusing to eat she seems pretty healthy, should I administer it to her in this case?
Background:
BEHAVIOR: At 9 months old(October 2009)Emmalee started to go into brumation. The signs were a lower than normal appetite and her poop schedule had changed from everyday to every three days(ultimately it became at late as every 17 days). She was also basking less and preferred the cool side of her viv. Through November this behavior, and slow poop/eating schedule increased. Unfortunately, her natural brumating process was halted in an attempt at being stopped as the vet was not really sure if this was brumation at this age or something more sinister. Fecals in November were clear, except for a very low count of protzoa, which were not necessary to treat. Emmalee continued brumation behavior and by December we knew, she fell asleep for two days during the 9th and 10th, and really went down between December 23 to January 10th.
EATING: By the week of November 16th Emmalee was down to eating 2-3 feeders per week, by the week of the 23rd it was down to 1-2 feeders per week, and by the 13th of December it was hit and miss. Finally on the 19th of December she had her last meal, that was until she ate a bite of strawberry on February 3rd. Her appetite did not get any better and for the rest of the month of February she had about 3 bites of additional vegetable. At the end of February I started to assist feed her with slurry, which she ate every day, but through the whole month of March and most of April she did not want, and actually refused any live feeders or veg to eat on her own. Mind you Emmalee has never really eaten veg or fruit ever. I got one week this April (17-23) when she ate feeders everyday, and I stopped assist feeding her. However, now Emmalee is not eating anything once again and has refused food since April 30th.
WEIGHT: Pre brumation weight was 358 grams, post brumation weight was 335grams. Lots of weight loss going on, that is why I had started to slurry feed in the first place. It turned out that once I had stopped slurry feeding she had lost 10 grams in one week! A vet trip diagnosed her with an explosion of protozoa which was treated with Metrodinazole, five days, then three weeks later for five days. She has not gone back for a fecal re-check, because no food...no poop! Although weigh loss has seemed to have tapered off, and I have been feeding soy yogurt the last five days to help with bacterial flora...not helping the appetite.
CONDITIONS:75 gallon viv with ceramic tile, 1 month old Reptisun 10 bulb, 105 basking spot, 70-75 cool side, night temps about 60-63F.
Emmalee is basking very regularly these days and this has been pretty much been consistent since mid April. She does cool side a little though and does sleep some during the day as well. She is very well
hydrated, and is the picture of health, beside not eating. She is very alert, and when out, runs wild, but at the same time tries to find dark spots to hide and sleep. It seems a little late for brumation or semi brumation, so I am confused, especially since this is my first beardie.
Since Reptaid should not be given to a healthy dragon, what are your thoughts. I was going to use it to boost the appetite?
PS-Reptaid should arrive this week, I hope.