sick beardie

[happycows23]

hi all,

im new to this forum, but came across it in the hopes of getting some facts on some possible reasons for my beardies sickness. Heres the whole story:

I got my beardie a few months ago off a friend who no longer wanted her. I have housed beardies before so I was familiar with the whole process. I originally started housing her with a pair of star agamas, to which they all got along great together. I noticed when it came to feeding my beardie live food however that she had a lot of trouble catching things. Weeks went by with no problems and then suddenly one day I took her out and noticed that she was not looking well at all and had lost a lot of weight. Around the same time I noticed her losing weight, I also noticed that the agamas has began to suddenly start picking on her. I immediately separated her from them and started hand feeding her in an attempt to get her back in good health. It became apparent that the hand feeding is necessary because her eyes/depth perception is so bad she has a very hard time even eating veggies from a dish. Ive been doing this for about two weeks and she has gained back the weight in her stomach area. However, I am still concerned because none of the weight has returned to her limbs and they just look very frail and dry. I am just curious if anyone here has any suggestions on how to help her get her weight back and hopefully get her in better health!

Oh I will also point out that her poops are all normal, and she poops often, so no problems in that area.

Thank you!

 

[zebraflavencs]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.
Sounds to me as if a Vet visit were in order...
For one, keeping two different species in the same tank doesn't usually work well, cross contamination/ shared parasites... etc.

For two, since there were two of the other species ( a pair of star agamas) these agama have bullied up on the dragon, depriving it of use of uvb, basking source, etc.

Third, the wasted limbs, and eye/limb coordination concerns me... So, this is why I would suggest a vet visit... Take in some fresh (within 24 hours) fecal to be examined for parasites.
Just out of curiosity... which UVB do you provide.. Some bulbs/tubes may be appropriate for one species, but lacking for others..
Be prepared to provide this dragon with it's own permanent, separate enclosure too... Complete with basking and appropriate uvb source.

Hope this helps out.

 

[renich]

I have to agree with Janie. I would take your dragon in for a vet visit. If you need help finding a herp vet in your area, here's a link to help you:
Herp Vet Directory

 

[li]

Think everything was covered. Don't want to add confusion with too many people posting stuff, just one thought. If she is having trouble with perception, depth and awkwardness catching food, Vitamin B could help that.

Welcome and good luck. Keep us informed

 

[Pogie]

I just have 1 question. Are you soaking her at all. She could be slightly dehydrated as you said .............

I am still concerned because none of the weight has returned to her limbs and they just look very frail and dry.