Emaciated Male Help!

[ilovebeardies]

I recently took in a male bearded dragon, he is about 6-7 years old from what I was told. His body is so thin his skull bones are protruding.The person who gave me him said that they had him for a year and he never gained weight. Long story semi short, he would not eat so I syringe fed him for a week or so he now will eat a bite or two of veggies and enjoys crickets and super worms however. Still no weight gain visually. I do notice when he poops alot of the time the insects come out looking like how they went in. So I don't know if he's unable to absorb nutrients. Any suggestions? He was housed with a healthy female but I have separated him due to his health he is so frail and sluggish. There's no herp vet anywhere close to me. So I'm kinda stuck.Thanks!

 

[timbalan]

I hate to say it but he needs a vet. You should be able to at least take a poop sample in to a regular vet just to see if he has parasites. If so you probably will have to make a road trip to go see one so he can get the proper care. A regular vet may be able to give you some meds for it but i recomend taking a road trip. How far away is the closest herp bet?

 

[PatsyB]

I agree with timbalan, he needs a vet.

 

[ilovebeardies]

It is about 4 hours away I believe.

 

[timbalan]

Ok well than i would take a sample to your local vet and have them just check it. Than maybe since its so far away they can call over or maybe they have something there they may be able to give you.but either way i would def take a sample in to the local vet.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Ok I will def call around and see if they would do so, because I feel so sad for him

 

[timbalan]

Let us know what you find out. Maybe someone on here may know what they can give them depending on what kind of parasites if any. I do know if they try to give you ivermectin (spelling?) do NOT i repeat DO NOT give it to your beardie. The vet gave it to mine for parasites when i first got him and it almost killed him. He didnt move or even open his eyes hardly for 3 days. Had to syringe feed for almost a week just so he got something.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Awww poor beardie yeah Quasimodo, wouldn't eat at all when I got him, so I made the decision to syringe feed him which then boosted his appetite he will eat a few veggies but not much honestly I think he has metabolic bone disease because he walks so slow and rarely moves ever. So I give calcium every time he has crickets. Just wondering if part of him being so thin is because of his age as well.

 

[timbalan]

Ya that one im not sure about mines not even a yr yet and hes still small for his age. He should be 2 times the size he is. The lady i got him from didnt take proper care of him i think it kinda stunted his growth.

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Steam vegetables and mush them into baby food consistency, mix in low chitin (phoenix, wax, super) worms and a small amount of calcium powder. Syringe feed the dragon as much as it can then run slowly from throat to tail for 5 minutes. Atleast once a day it should get 20 minutes of real sun. When you put it in it's viv place it where the temp is 100-105 degrees with strong UVB lighting. Everynight a warm bath that doesn't piss the mid section of it's belly. Dry thoroughly. When giving water add a small (1 to 20 ratio of reverse osmosis water and vegetable oil) this way if there is blockage it should clear. Do this until you get to the vet even if the dragon makes a complete recovery.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Thank you for the instructions

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Sure thing, not a problem

 

[Josh]

Be sure to keep us updated on how he's doing!

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Undigested food generally indicates improper heating or parasites.

What are your temps? Cool side, ambient temp, and basking site?

What UVB bulb do you use?

Just because it's moving slow doesn't mean it has MBD either.... Is it disfigured?

What do u feed him?

Do you dust insects and greens with calcium and vitamin powder?

 

[ilovebeardies]

Not really disfigured just seems taxing for him too do anything he has barely any strength. He has reptisun 10.0 uvb , I use reptical on his crickets. His basking area roughly 90 degrees I use 150 watt basking bulb. He is roughly 7 years old from what I'm told. I guess previous owners starved him practically. His appetite has been better, he has gained small amount of girth to belly but his skull bones are still protruding. I'll attach a few pictures.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Not really disfigured just seems taxing for him too do anything he has barely any strength. He has reptisun 10.0 uvb , I use reptical on his crickets. His basking area roughly 90 degrees I use 150 watt basking bulb. He is roughly 7 years old from what I'm told. I guess previous owners starved him practically. His appetite has been better, he has gained small amount of girth to belly but his skull bones are still protruding. I'll attach a few pictures.

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Looks just fine to me.... 150wat bulb should give you higher than 90degrees though.... Other than that looks good.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Quasimodo after bath he is drained just from swimming for a little while.
poor guy

 

[ilovebeardies]

Well bulb is about 12 inches high from basking spot

 

[Luvthemanimal]

Thats at weird.. My 50watt basking bulb 13 inches from basking area is 120 degree