Very underweight beardie help!!

[dncbeardie]

So on friday I rescued a very malnourished and dehydrated beardie. She's around a year old, and is 291 grams at 20 inches. She's skin and bones, but seems to be doing better on the EmerAid 3x daily and a warm bath (and some IV fluids at the vet). She's got her occasional spurts of energy, and will open her eyes and move about for a little bit and then go back to sleep. She's got her basking spot around 105-110 (to help with digestion) and a mercury vapor bulb to assist her in taking in all the vitamins. She isn't currently eating on her own, but she is drinking on her own. Whenever I take her out, she'll perk up and take her syringes with an attitude, but as soon as she's back in her cage she's out. Once it's night time, she falls asleep as soon as I go to refill the syringe. After some thinking, I realised, even though she's so underweight- could she be trying to brumate? My Leo has gone down already and my other beardie is slowed way down. It would take away alot of my worries if this was the case- I'm checking on her constantly and worried I'm not feeding her enough or she isn't digesting right since she hasn't pooped yet (even tho today is only my second day with her). She's getting warm baths after every meal incase she needs to poop and needs some help since she's so weak. I am currently deworming as well to be on the safe side which could also explain lack of a petite, but I won't know for sure til she's done with the round and her stomach gets back to normal. Any suggestions would help ease my worried mind- I want tone give this girl a better life than the hell she was put through!

 

[MsCarter]

First thing let me just take a second to applaud you with the amazing job you are doing! I honestly can't suggest one thing other than maybe a probiotic depending on the type of medication she is taking.
She certainly could be trying to go into brumation. With her not being in the best of health right now I would suggest to continue syringe feeding her, keeping her hyderated, and encouraging plenty of basking time exspecially while she's taking the medication. Even if she sleeps throughout the day I would try to make sure she doesn't go into hiding/full blown brumation right now.
You are doing a terrific job. Keep us updated on how she is doing

 

[dncbeardie]

Thank you! She's definitely perked up since I've gotten her home and so far I'm happy with her improvement. I've got her on the dewormer, liquid calcium supplement (didn't do x rays for MBD cause she actually felt pretty good, but just to be on the safe side) and metacam. She seems to be slightly more active in the morning after the metacam kicks in. I can only assume her legs are sore from trying to hold herself up when she was so weak and it gives her some relief. She's such a doll too, seems like she's never really been shown any love and closes her eyes and sticks her head in the air anytime your scratch her. I'm going to look into probiotics for her to get her appetite really going once she's able to eat on her own. I haven't given her any hides that would really allow her to go into full blown brumation, just her cool side of the tank and some shady spots so she doesn't get too warm since she's not too good at regulating her temp on her own since she's so skinny.

 

[lewleary]

Pro-biotic powder is a must ! i would also check your temperatures inside the enclosure.
maybe try and up the temperature on the hot side to about 45c-50c but make sure the cool end is at least 24-26c. An electrolyte liquid mixed into her water could also help her stay hydrated ! try using a paster pipette to give her water. Providing enough room also helps, i had the same problem you are facing so i got a 5ftx2ftx2ft & she started perking up ! plus i got her a new UVB tube light, reptisun
10.00 always works a treat for beardies. I also cut protein intake out of the diet and started giving more vegetables, at least 5 types of veg & salad is advised. Liquid calcium is also a major helper
in beardies feeling this way, it is fairly affordable and be purchased at beardeddragon.co
at a good price. Maybe changing the substrate could help on this matter ! a nice carpet or some artificial grass is favoured by a lot of people i know, maybe a stone tile floor like black slate tiles
could help. Obviously dusting with calcium powder (withoutD3) is worth a try ! you can dust all her foods every day and use a multi-vitamin twice a week. Hope this helps and i hope she gets better ! keep it up and you shall prevail & so will she ! all the best

 

[lewleary]

she will not go into brumation yet ! she is only a year old, she will not go into brumation until she is at least 2 years of age. all the best - lewleary

 

[AHBD]

Poor girl, she may be lethargic for a number of reasons so just go ahead + feed her as you are. Keep the hot temps. right where they are, not up to 50 celsius, that's not necessary and can be dangerous for a weak beardie. Her lack of leg strength may be from calcium deficiency as well as lack of other nutrients. Do you know what dewormer she's on and what the Metacam is for ? I know it's an ani inflammatory/pain med. but should be used with caution as it can cause nausea + vomiting which she surely can't afford in her condition.

 

[lewleary]

Poor girl, she may be lethargic for a number of reasons so just go ahead + feed her as you are. Keep the hot temps. right where they are, not up to 50 celsius, that's not necessary and can be dangerous for a weak beardie. Her lack of leg strength may be from calcium deficiency as well as lack of other nutrients. Do you know what dewormer she's on and what the Metacam is for ? I know it's an ani inflammatory/pain med. but should be used with caution as it can cause nausea + vomiting which she surely can't afford in her condition.

maybe the temperature i suggested was a little high ! but providing enough space for her to get away from the hot side, it should be ok ! having greater temperatures is not that bad, even for a sick
bearded dragon. It will help in the aid of digestion and bring out her true colours ! but still tho you made a decent point

 

[dncbeardie]

Thank you for the advice everybody! I actually just got her eating on her own and she's plowing through everything I give her which is making me so happy. She's much more alert today and seems like she's feeling really good!

 

[MsCarter]

Thank you! She's definitely perked up since I've gotten her home and so far I'm happy with her improvement. I've got her on the dewormer, liquid calcium supplement (didn't do x rays for MBD cause she actually felt pretty good, but just to be on the safe side) and metacam. She seems to be slightly more active in the morning after the metacam kicks in. I can only assume her legs are sore from trying to hold herself up when she was so weak and it gives her some relief. She's such a doll too, seems like she's never really been shown any love and closes her eyes and sticks her head in the air anytime your scratch her. I'm going to look into probiotics for her to get her appetite really going once she's able to eat on her own. I haven't given her any hides that would really allow her to go into full blown brumation, just her cool side of the tank and some shady spots so she doesn't get too warm since she's not too good at regulating her temp on her own since she's so skinny.

So glad to hear she's perking up a little. I would definitely go ahead and invest in a good probiotic just to restore some good gut flora in her. you can also mix some pedalyte into her water at a 1:1 ratio and syringe it to her to pump some electrolytes back into her.
I don't want to overwhelm you, but another thing just to consider is bee pollen. It's great stuff loaded with many natural vitamins. You can use it to mix into slurries if you wish.

While I think the biggest reason for the behavior you are noticing is due to her being so weak, I do know that a one year old beardie can go into brumation. I have seen younger dragons try to brumate as well even though it is not common. Most of the time they do not fully brumate before the age of 2 but some may slow down a little.It's that time of year as well. So yes, on top of being so weak her instincts may very well be telling her it's "slow down" time, poor baby

It really sounds like you know exactly what you are doing, It's great that she is now with someone like you. I'm wishing you the very best and her a speedy recovery.

 

[MsCarter]

Thank you for the advice everybody! I actually just got her eating on her own and she's plowing through everything I give her which is making me so happy. She's much more alert today and seems like she's feeling really good!

That is great news! The fact that she's eating on her own is one of the best signs in sick beardies. She's a tough little girl that is most likely going to be just fine

 

[lewleary]

Thank you! She's definitely perked up since I've gotten her home and so far I'm happy with her improvement. I've got her on the dewormer, liquid calcium supplement (didn't do x rays for MBD cause she actually felt pretty good, but just to be on the safe side) and metacam. She seems to be slightly more active in the morning after the metacam kicks in. I can only assume her legs are sore from trying to hold herself up when she was so weak and it gives her some relief. She's such a doll too, seems like she's never really been shown any love and closes her eyes and sticks her head in the air anytime your scratch her. I'm going to look into probiotics for her to get her appetite really going once she's able to eat on her own. I haven't given her any hides that would really allow her to go into full blown brumation, just her cool side of the tank and some shady spots so she doesn't get too warm since she's not too good at regulating her temp on her own since she's so skinny.

So glad to hear she's perking up a little. I would definitely go ahead and invest in a good probiotic just to restore some good gut flora in her. you can also mix some pedalyte into her water at a 1:1 ratio and syringe it to her to pump some electrolytes back into her.
I don't want to overwhelm you, but another thing just to consider is bee pollen. It's great stuff loaded with many natural vitamins. You can use it to mix into slurries if you wish.

While I think the biggest reason for the behavior you are noticing is due to her being so weak, I do know that a one year old beardie can go into brumation. I have seen younger dragons try to brumate as well even though it is not common. Most of the time they do not fully brumate before the age of 2 but some may slow down a little.It's that time of year as well. So yes, on top of being so weak her instincts may very well be telling her it's "slow down" time, poor baby

It really sounds like you know exactly what you are doing, It's great that she is now with someone like you. I'm wishing you the very best and her a speedy recovery.

you basically copied everything that i advised to her !

 

[Gormagon]

A lot of times if two people are basicly saying the same thing it tells me it is worth listening to. So relax and roll with it, it happens a lot on here.

 

[AHBD]

Yes, good to hear ! She really needs the food nutrients ....a sick/underweight beardie should not go into brumation. Her being malnourished was causing the lethargy.

 

[MsCarter]

Thank you! She's definitely perked up since I've gotten her home and so far I'm happy with her improvement. I've got her on the dewormer, liquid calcium supplement (didn't do x rays for MBD cause she actually felt pretty good, but just to be on the safe side) and metacam. She seems to be slightly more active in the morning after the metacam kicks in. I can only assume her legs are sore from trying to hold herself up when she was so weak and it gives her some relief. She's such a doll too, seems like she's never really been shown any love and closes her eyes and sticks her head in the air anytime your scratch her. I'm going to look into probiotics for her to get her appetite really going once she's able to eat on her own. I haven't given her any hides that would really allow her to go into full blown brumation, just her cool side of the tank and some shady spots so she doesn't get too warm since she's not too good at regulating her temp on her own since she's so skinny.

So glad to hear she's perking up a little. I would definitely go ahead and invest in a good probiotic just to restore some good gut flora in her. you can also mix some pedalyte into her water at a 1:1 ratio and syringe it to her to pump some electrolytes back into her.
I don't want to overwhelm you, but another thing just to consider is bee pollen. It's great stuff loaded with many natural vitamins. You can use it to mix into slurries if you wish.

While I think the biggest reason for the behavior you are noticing is due to her being so weak, I do know that a one year old beardie can go into brumation. I have seen younger dragons try to brumate as well even though it is not common. Most of the time they do not fully brumate before the age of 2 but some may slow down a little.It's that time of year as well. So yes, on top of being so weak her instincts may very well be telling her it's "slow down" time, poor baby

It really sounds like you know exactly what you are doing, It's great that she is now with someone like you. I'm wishing you the very best and her a speedy recovery.

you basically copied everything that i advised to her !

Scrolled right past your comment tbh

 

[Jchuckg425]

Good job ?? sounds like ur keeping her Alive and well, hope she gets back to normal, and if u can please send some pictures for us to see, so we can take a look at her please, thanks