primasilva
Member
Things were going great for the first month or two that I had my baby beardie, but then SOMETHING happened and she stopped eating and started having seizures. She's skin and bones now! I've been trying one thing at a time to see if I can find the cause, with not much luck yet. I'm hoping you guys can help out, since my vet hasn't been able to think of anything! Here's what I've done so far, in chronological order. Sorry this message is so long, but I'm trying to remember every possible detail for y'all:
1. Vet - tested negative for parasites, gave me prescription calcium, and suggested DMG for seizures. Those have stopped now, but we're still not in the clear! Vet thinks this might be a simple failure to thrive, but I'm hoping not. I'll probably take her to someone else for another opinion, since I'm not a huge fan of my current one, but I need to find one first.
2. Replaced the Reptisun 10, even though it was only a couple months old.
3. Tried a zillion different heaters - UTH with a thermostat, infrared, a couple different basking ones, a couple CHEs. Right now, it's the Zoo Med Basking Spot Lamp, UTH, and CHE at night. I know a lot of you are against UTHs, but I have the reptile carpet over it and a thermostat keeping it below 100. I'll probably turn it off now that winter is over. She was loving the heat before, but this past month, no matter what, she consistently sits in or near her water on the cool side of the tank. I had the temp at 85-120 while she liked it, but now I dropped it to 80-110. Someone said she might be bruminating, but winter is almost over - why would she start now?
4. Stuck chicken baby food on her nose. She'd shake it off at me. Force fed her for a while, but it was really stressful for both of us. I might start again if she doesn't start feeding herself soon!
5. I've been trying that Fluker's appetite stimulant stuff over her veggies (Tri Something Mix from Jewel - dandelion, mustard, and I can't remember the other one. Collard? And occasional peas & green beans & carrots) & squash, and that seems to be working to get her to eat a tiny amount, but still no go on crickets. She was interested for a while, but really wobbly, so I think she's given up. I stick calcium in her water and over the veggies (and crickets), with herptivite added every couple days.
6. I recently adopted a cat who won't leave the tank alone - she's definitely after the crickets, not the beardie - so I covered 3 sides with cardboard and moved the tank so the cat can't get to the uncovered side.
7. I ordered a window film to reduce glare/reflection in case that's freaking my beardie out. I have a thread open asking whether it's safe to put it inside the tank. I think it should be, since it's just a static cling without adhesive, but figured I ought to double check!
8. I started looking into Arcadia bulbs & possibly putting the UV inside the tank instead of over it. I don't have a screen over the light, but it's a little far away from her since she stopped using the basking spot. I have another thread open asking about T5 vs T8.
9. I also started thinking about making polystyrene walls. This is more for looks than anything, but maybe she'd like some more hiding spots. I have a cave on the warm side and a big, shady branch & fake leaves on the cool side now, but I dunno - worth a shot!
10. I ordered literally every positive-reviewed commercial food that Amazon had (Nature Zone Bearded Dragon Bites, SFB Dragon Food Instant Meal, Fluker's Bearded Dragon Buffet Blend, Rep-Cal pellets, Zilla pellets, Zoo Med wet, JurassiDiet EasiDragon, canned silk worms). I know these tend to lack nutrition, but if one of them gets her out of this funk, I don't care!
11. I bought mealworms yesterday & put them in this morning. Fingers crossed that she goes for them!
12. Just edited to add - I also ordered dubia roaches from Amazon
So...yeah...I'm starting to run out of ideas. Can you guys think of anything I haven't tried?
1. Vet - tested negative for parasites, gave me prescription calcium, and suggested DMG for seizures. Those have stopped now, but we're still not in the clear! Vet thinks this might be a simple failure to thrive, but I'm hoping not. I'll probably take her to someone else for another opinion, since I'm not a huge fan of my current one, but I need to find one first.
2. Replaced the Reptisun 10, even though it was only a couple months old.
3. Tried a zillion different heaters - UTH with a thermostat, infrared, a couple different basking ones, a couple CHEs. Right now, it's the Zoo Med Basking Spot Lamp, UTH, and CHE at night. I know a lot of you are against UTHs, but I have the reptile carpet over it and a thermostat keeping it below 100. I'll probably turn it off now that winter is over. She was loving the heat before, but this past month, no matter what, she consistently sits in or near her water on the cool side of the tank. I had the temp at 85-120 while she liked it, but now I dropped it to 80-110. Someone said she might be bruminating, but winter is almost over - why would she start now?
4. Stuck chicken baby food on her nose. She'd shake it off at me. Force fed her for a while, but it was really stressful for both of us. I might start again if she doesn't start feeding herself soon!
5. I've been trying that Fluker's appetite stimulant stuff over her veggies (Tri Something Mix from Jewel - dandelion, mustard, and I can't remember the other one. Collard? And occasional peas & green beans & carrots) & squash, and that seems to be working to get her to eat a tiny amount, but still no go on crickets. She was interested for a while, but really wobbly, so I think she's given up. I stick calcium in her water and over the veggies (and crickets), with herptivite added every couple days.
6. I recently adopted a cat who won't leave the tank alone - she's definitely after the crickets, not the beardie - so I covered 3 sides with cardboard and moved the tank so the cat can't get to the uncovered side.
7. I ordered a window film to reduce glare/reflection in case that's freaking my beardie out. I have a thread open asking whether it's safe to put it inside the tank. I think it should be, since it's just a static cling without adhesive, but figured I ought to double check!
8. I started looking into Arcadia bulbs & possibly putting the UV inside the tank instead of over it. I don't have a screen over the light, but it's a little far away from her since she stopped using the basking spot. I have another thread open asking about T5 vs T8.
9. I also started thinking about making polystyrene walls. This is more for looks than anything, but maybe she'd like some more hiding spots. I have a cave on the warm side and a big, shady branch & fake leaves on the cool side now, but I dunno - worth a shot!
10. I ordered literally every positive-reviewed commercial food that Amazon had (Nature Zone Bearded Dragon Bites, SFB Dragon Food Instant Meal, Fluker's Bearded Dragon Buffet Blend, Rep-Cal pellets, Zilla pellets, Zoo Med wet, JurassiDiet EasiDragon, canned silk worms). I know these tend to lack nutrition, but if one of them gets her out of this funk, I don't care!
11. I bought mealworms yesterday & put them in this morning. Fingers crossed that she goes for them!
12. Just edited to add - I also ordered dubia roaches from Amazon
So...yeah...I'm starting to run out of ideas. Can you guys think of anything I haven't tried?