poorly beardie

[busybees]

hi my beardie is 10 m0nth old he has been in the vets for the last week with 2 blockages,the vet has sent him home as he seemed fine,the xrays looked good,the only way to make sure that the blockages have gone is to operate

when he was in the vets he was having 6-8 baths a day and being fed through a syringe,he has been home since Thurs, i am keeping up with the baths,and his temps in the Viv are spot on,
the vet wants him to feed for himself but he has no intrest in any live food or his salad,the only way is if i syringe fed him.he inst very lively,is there any hope that he will start feeding for himself,or would it be kinder to let him go,
many thanks
Anne

 

[crypticdragons]

What are your temps? What are they measured with? What substrate are you using?

If there is still suspected impaction you could syringe mineral oil or olive oil orally for a few days this would loosen anything that may be impacted in him. As to the appetite issues what medication has the vet given your dragon? Cause some of the meds can reak havoc on their digestive system. You could get some acidophiliz to help normalize his natural gut flora. sold here http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Meds.html

 

[renich]

In addition to Brian's questions, what are you feeding your beardie?

Was he in the vet's for impaction?

 

[busybees]

hi
basking light is 38c cool end 28 night time 24-26 c,uvb lamp he is on dessert sand,the vet has been given him enema 3 times daily,antibiotic and nutrients,but is syringe feeding making him lazy,will he ever want live food again,just found a site for reptile carpet in uk so will order one up

 

[crypticdragons]

the big screamer red flag to me is the sand. and when he starts feeling normal and gets hungry he will eat. You can also bump the temps up just a tad maybe 40-41c

 

[busybees]

how long can he go with out food,he wont move around the viv unless i pick him up and move him,i hate seeing him like this

 

[busybees]

he was in vets due to not eating,on xrays it showed 2 blockages,i feed him crickets and salad,i have tried to tempt him with wax worms but hes no keen

 

[crypticdragons]

sounds to me like the impaction has not been cleared up. Like i said previously sand needs to go asap (you can use papertowels or newspaper as the liner for the bottom of the tank) and try some mineral oil or olive oil to help clear things up. Once the impaction is cleared out he should be more active. Until things are cleared up you could also syringe fee him baby food.

 

[renich]

Replacing the sand with reptile carpet is a good move. What is the make and model of your UV light?

 

[busybees]

many thanks,i will remove sand and try him with some baby food

 

[busybees]

repti glow 10.00

 

[crypticdragons]

many thanks,i will remove sand and try him with some baby food

And you really really should get the olive oil and syringe feed him some. that is very important the enema the vet did will not fully clear up the impaction. You need something to lossen up whats in his system. The olive oil will do this.

 

[busybees]

he has just had some baby food,how much olive oil should i give,also is it safe to use a heat mat under a reptile carpet,if not i can put a night time bulb in

 

[renich]

Ok, the ReptiGlo 10.0 has been known to cause issues with bearded dragons.

Try the Arcadia 12% tube flo uvb. It is the best offered to you in the UK. Beardies need a high level of UV light to properly digest their foods.

 

[busybees]

ok will change bulb,do you know if i can use heat lamp under carpet

 

[renich]

Don't worry about heating the bottom of the viv. It is not needed. With proper lighting on top, you will achieve the heat you need. If the bulbs you have need assistance, you can try a ceramic heat emitter. Here's a link to our store showing what I am referencing:
http://mybeardie.com/bearded-dragon-reptile-supplies.php

 

[busybees]

i only have the heat mat at night,so i will replace with a night time bulb instead

 

[busybees]

i have ordered new arcadia 12 uvb light and a reptile carpet,will get olive oil in the moring,can i mix it with rexs baby food or just give it to him,also how much should i give and how long for
many thanks for all your help,i thought i was going to lose him,

 

[crypticdragons]

i only have the heat mat at night,so i will replace with a night time bulb instead

If your home doesnt drop below 19c at night you do not need night heat

See if you cant go out and pick up some olive oil today it is a neccessity in your situation.

 

[crypticdragons]

i have ordered new arcadia 12 uvb light and a reptile carpet,will get olive oil in the moring,can i mix it with rexs baby food or just give it to him,also how much should i give and how long for
many thanks for all your help,i thought i was going to lose him,

Yes you can mix the baby food with the olive oil wont be a issue. Just make sure you have a syringe to feed it to him through. and good deal on the light. Honestly id put the papertowels or newspaper in instead of that sand immediately. You can worry about putting the reptile carpet in after he is healthy.