Baby Water Dragon

[easyridergrrrl]

Ok I'm kind of new to this reptile thing. A few months ago I bought a very small Chinese Water Dragon. He died a week and a half later (they didn't bother to tell me I needed uv lights (and I know I was bad by not really researching about reptiles :\ )). So we took him back and got another. He started doing badly, we went to a different store in search of a fish and one of the guys there lead us in the right direction. Then he got a lot better and was eating normally and being playful. We recently transferred him from a long 20 gallon to a tall 25 with a ceramic heater and uv light; he has gotten worse since yesterday. This morning I woke up and he was laying on the ground not looking so good. I tapped on the glass to see if he was still alive, and he opened up his eyes and lifted his head. but about 30 min. ago I went to check on him, he was in the same spot laying down. I am really worried about this little guy. Yesterday he ate a bunch of crickets, so his appetite is ok, but he is still REALLY skinny looking and he hasnt really grown much, if at all, since we got him. I am holding him right now and it seems like he is trying hard to breathe. And he is just sitting there, usually he's pretty fussy. If someone could just point me in right direction or give me a little advice (not criticism, please). Thanks.
Mandy

[HeatherRose]

Is it possible he's dehydrated? Some of the symptoms and treatments of dehydration can be found at this website:

http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/hydrate.htm#signs

One symptom is general lethargy (not moving around much, sluggishness) but lethargy is a symptom of many other things as well...

It might be a good idea to take him to a vet as soon as you can if this doesn't improve and you think it's not dehydration that's the cause.

Check around to see if you have a reptile vet in your area, I'd imagine in Dallas, Texas, there would be a few.

Just so you know what to expect, a vet trip plus x-ray and meds has cost me 60$ (Canadian), but it could be more depending on the meds.

Good luck and keep us updated :)

[Ptindy]

Well, I don't know much about Chinese water dragons but what is your husbandry like? Temperature? Humidity? Do you have a basking spot? Cooler spot? How is his tank set up (substrate, water)? What lights are you using? What are you feeding it and are you supplementing his food with vitamins? All that stuff will help everyone out in helping you.

Mike

[Invictus]

Supplementing the food with vitamins is not going prevent the symptoms described above.

The problem with water dragons is, they are on import lists literally by the hundreds, sometimes as low as $2 each, so if you see them in a pet store, the odds are very good they are wild caught. These creatures are usually LOADED with parasites, especially worms. If you get another one, the FIRST thing you need to do is get it treated with flagyll and/or Panacur to de-worm it. Make sure you save a fecal sample so they can check for tapeworms as well. It wouldn't hurt to get bloodwork done to check for bacterial infections as well. Seems a lot for a little $2 lizard? Well, it should. If you want it to survive that is.