vit A toxicity? RESOLVED

[BeardedSkitz]

Since yesterday Skitz has not been herself. She is in her basking spot all day. But doesn't seem very interested in food. I give her a salad and 5 dusted crix everyday. Lately I've noticed that she picks out the bright things to eat. The carrot. For a while now she's been picking them out. And yesterday I noticed the change. She is much more yellow/orange than normal, her neck is a little swolen and she is lethargic. I've started treating for possible impaction but I doubt that's the problem. She had 5 mealies a few days ago. I've done my research and all the symptoms point to toxicity. Every vet in my area has had their attempt at doing my dragons more harm than good and the vet I prefer is 4 hours away. Seeing a vet at this stage is not an option. The husbandry is 100%. I was just wondering if anyone has had ny experience with hypervitaminosis? I use a multivitamin called spot on. Don't know if this would've contributed. Pumpkin seems to have this effect on her aswell..

 

[Gail]

I think your problem is more from your vitamins then the food. I looked the spot on up and its main ingredient is Vit A and its probably too much for a dragon.
I would stop the vitamins for now, wait a week or two then start using http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-food-supplements/11442-105550/rep-cal-herptivite-multivitamin.html

 

[Shakti75]

This is a baby and only eating 5 crickets a day? :?

I would definitely get the vitamins mentioned by Gail. They are the best and the only ones my dragons will get.

 

[munchkins9802]

I am concerned as your baby doesnt eat enough. They should be eating 50-100 crickets daily at this stage. He may have turned orange some because of the carrots. I wouldnt say it is VIt A toxicity just yet. Will these vets at least do a fecal for you--they do not need to see a lizard to do so. He could have parasites which also causes lethargy

You say set up is 100% but do you mind going over it?
What is the substrate?
Basking surface temp? Cool side temp? Hot side temp?
How do you take the temp in the cage
How often do you feed it
Should have repta cal 5 days a week 1 feeding per day
do you bath your lizard in warm water?

 

[BeardedSkitz]

She is between 8 and 9 months old and is pretty big for her age. The crickets are 2/3 of an inch. Still the size between her eyes. I am pretty sure she is eating enough because she is growing FAST and is big. I used to put her in a tub with lots of cricks and she would eat till she's about to pop! Then be super uncomfortable till the next poo. She eats loads of salad in the morning and cricks in the afternoon.

The temps are 85 at the cool side 105 at the hot side. She has a reptisun 10.0 18'' tube and has astro turf for substrate. Like I mentioned I have started treating for impaction (2 drops of olive oil and frequent warm baths). She poo'ed before and has perked up since. I think she has a reaction to the carrot. Or it could be the vitamin. She is already much more active. I let her walk around in the house, and that seems to make her feel better too. She has a 4 foot tank all by herself with lots of entertainment, dont understand why she feels better outside the tank..

How often do I feed it? :? What a question. She gets fresh salad in the morning, with snow pea sprouts, celery, baby endive, AND bell pepper (red she likes bright colors) OR carrot OR pumpkin. She then has crickets in the afternoon when I get home from work and a bit later I offer her some strawberries (without the seeds), apple or anything a bit sweeter.

She is getting Repti-cal with every cricket feeding and liquid calcium.

Last time she got pneumonia from the olive oil (impaction from mealies) I drove 4 hours to get her to a proper vet. Spent nearly a $700 in vet bills because they kept her there for a week ect. This little girl is my life. So don't fret I'm dedicated enough to take good care of her.

 

[BeardedSkitz]

Some recent pix

One I took right now

 

[munchkins9802]

Well your substrate is good. Is the hotside the basking surface temp or the regular temp? How long is she/he again from tip of nose to end of tail?
Even a big dragon at 8 months should be eating way more than 5 crickets a day-I have an 18" 18 month old dragon and he eats about 15--20 crickets daily when he will eat the crickets (he is on a cricket strike and also doing a semi brumation I think this year) Moderators--correct me if I am wrong but at 8 months shouldnt they still be having more protein then greens?
. It is great that she is eating the salads for you (beautifuldragon.com has a great list of good things to give, things ok to give occasionally etc.).
Has she ever had a fecal done? MOST vets (not all) will do a fecal for you without having to see the dragon (here it is $25 for a fecal).

 

[BeardedSkitz]

Yea I've done my research. The question was if anyone had experience with hypervitaminosis. That is all. She is doing great since I stopped with the vitamin. So looks like she's not suffering because of 'my bad ownership'. Tnx to everyone who contributed.

 

[munchkins9802]

I am sorry if you thought I implied you werent a good caretaker. I never said his problems were your fault. However, 5 crickets per day is NOT enough for a dragon under 1 yr of age no matter his size. Good luck and glad he is doing better