He had gotten lost in the house for a long time. When I found him he was very under nourished. The muscles on the top of his head are caved in. Is this some kind of condition or is it just due to the malnutrition. I have been opening his mouth and putting worms in. Ounce I get it passed his jaw he will begin to swallow. He has not opened his eyes since i found him. That was three days ago. He does move around the tank threw out the course of the day. He breathes slowly but it is at a reagular pace. Might he just be hybernating. He is also 13 to 14 years old so it just may be his time. If any won knows. let me know. The mustles on his head is what concearns me the most and his left nostrol appears to be closed. Help please.
2007-01-19 08:50:41 · 8 answers · asked by Erica L U 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Well I have an update. I started him on the pedialite and wow what a diffrence. His color came back almost immediatly. He is still very weak how ever he did blink his eyes a few times this morning. He seems to be getting stronger. He wont drink on his own so I have been feeding him with a syringe. Ounce it is in his mouth he swallows it. I think he is going to make it. Thank you all I do appreciate it and I will keep you updated on his proggrese.
2007-01-20 02:54:16 · update #1
Sunken tissues int he head area especially around the eye area are a sign of dehydration. While he is probrably also malnourished the more important issue right now is the dehydration. Give him several luke warm, or pee warm if you prefer that term baths that are half water and half pedialyte. The water should be up to his armpits. I would leave him in for about a half hour at a time and do this several times per day until you notice improvement in the sunken areas and keep checking his poop as the white portion should be white and not yellow. If it is yellow then he is still dehydrated. You can also give the pedialyte full strength by mouth but don't force it. Just put a drop on the tip of his nose covering his lips and wait and see if he licks it off, if he does then add more, and so on. You can get pedialyte in most grocery stores and if they sell it you can get the generic brand, it is much cheaper. The flavor does not matter either. As for the malnourishment, I make small amounts since it doesn’t stay good for much more than a day.
In a blender, mix chicken baby food, butternut squash baby food, appropriate greens from beautifuldragons.com Ensure with calcium, liquid or powder calcium without D3, multivitamins, royal jelly, bee pollen, and acidophilus. Blend until smoothie consistency and feed with a syringe without a needle or a baby medicine dropper three times per day. Feed over a towel, it can be messy. You will need to feed as directed with the pedialyte above, place a drop on the tip of his nose and let him lick it, if he doesn't, you will need to GENTLY lift the upper lip on the side and squeeze a small amount in and release lip and let them taste it.
The last three ingredients can be bought at any GNC or health food store and the last two I buy in capsule form and open the capsules to release the powder. These last 3 ingredients are important as they will help to increase the appetite and get him eating again. For some reason when an animal has not eaten in a while they then lose the desire to.
hope this helps and if you have any other issues, feel free to E-mail me. Actually, I would love to know how he makes out.
2007-01-19 09:32:04 · answer #1 · answered by Dale d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The depression on the head is probably from weight loss and dehydration. Make sure you offer him plenty of water and food. Keep him in a warm location (80s+). Even though beardeds can get into the 70s at night, they need warmth during the day. Otherwise they can get respiratory infections. I suspect this is what you're seeing as the "closed nostril". In addition to what I have previously suggested, I would try to get him to a vet, preferably one who specializes in reptiles. He may need antibiotics if he does have a respiratory infection.
Bearded dragons only have a life span of 5-15 yrs (average 8-10) so you must have been giving your dragon good care before he went missing.
PS: If he should get lost in the house again, put a bowl of water, bowl of mealworms (deep enough that they can't climb out) or veggies if your dragon likes them, and a heat source (heating pad on a safe surface or a warm lamp [clamp-on type] where he could get under it, but not knock it over) in the room where he disappeared. I'll be you'll find him there by the next day (if not sooner).
For more bearded dragon info: http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/lizards/bearded-dragon.php
Hope he gets well!
2007-01-19 09:17:21 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to listen to of your loss. I have five and can not photo residing with out them. You realize you fairly must now not soar into anything correct now. Give your self slightly little bit of time. You have the whole thing you want for a dragon and that could be my first alternative. I have leopard geckos however then they're nocturnal and don't want the prime temps or the UVB gentle. My water dragon is solely lovely however you could need to difference your substrate, upload a small little pan for water and once more cut down the temps however you would use the whole thing else. I desire you already know that you'll be able to use steady family bulbs for warmth rather of purchasing the ones high-priced so referred to as basking bulbs and that approach you would modify your temps. Good success but when one among my must move this night, I shall be watching for a further the next day!
2016-09-08 01:38:20 · answer #3 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
13 to 14 wow man youve got a worlds record there take it to museum i know breeders who cant get 9 yrs out of a b dragon u must be a pro
2007-01-19 11:52:07 · answer #4 · answered by fukawthoridy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make shure he is warm give him water by spraying it into the cage and leting him drink it off the sides of the glass or when it rools down his head go to the vet for his head or look it u at the website
www.beautifuldragons.com kk i hope that this helps and love him also that helps
2007-01-19 09:00:38 · answer #5 · answered by tylerpetersen007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to hear! Other than old age, I think your dragon is dehydrated. make sure he has enough fluids. Was he warm when you found him?
2007-01-19 08:56:27 · answer #6 · answered by enyates2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know about the muscles... never heard of that but did you already soak him in water? he's probly dehydrated severly... then call your vet!
2007-01-19 10:10:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bring him to a vet who is expereienced with reptiles.
http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm
(this is a place to begin looking)
2007-01-19 09:00:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anna M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋