Update on rescue BD (Magoo)

[wolfchan]

I don't have any new pics this time, but I took my rescue beardie (was Victor, now Magoo ^_^) to the vet today, because he is not improving any more.

The vet drew some blood (From where? The poor guy's all skin and bones!) and will be calling me with test results soon. I also got a generalized antibiotic to give him that should kill off much of the harmful bacteria he is likely to be harboring.

Unfortunately the vet recommended I start force feeding him to fatten him up. When I arrived home I gave him his antibiotic and three beardie pellets. In the future how many of those should I force feed him a day? Should I do it in multiple sittings per day? I realized after arriving home that I had forgotten to ask the vet some omportant questions. *hides*

I'm very worried about the old guy. I hope he starts to show some improvement soon!

Note: The vet I took him to is very reputable. He is supposed to be an EXCELLENT herp vet, and my experiences thus far have confirmed that. He did note that Magoo might have been trying to brumate which would explain the lack of appetite, he just felt that Magoo would be better off being stressed out a bit every day than not eating. (I was waiting for him to say that desert lizzies didn't brumate, which I have heard a few people on kingsnake say they heard from their vets. ^_^)

[eyespy]

Jackie Vandiver taught me a most excellent handfeeding formula that she uses for all of her babies and any dragon she needs to nurse back to health. Most will lap it up from a medicine dropper or feeding syringe so you don't need to force the issue.

Take equal parts Rep-Cal pellets and baby bird handfeeding formula. Cover with boiling water, let stand 10 minutes and then mash well. Add an equal part baby food (peach, pear, chicken, butternut squash all work nicely). Mix in enough water so that mixture is soupy and will drip out nicely. If Magoo doesn't slurp it up right away, try parting the side of the mouth where the "lips" curl outward a little bit rather than forcing his snout open. You can then work the tip of the dropper or syringe around to the front so it doesn't just dribble out the other side of the mouth.

This formula can be refrigerated for 3 days, just make sure to warm it up to room temperature or slightly warmer before feeding so it doesn't sit in a cold lump in his belly. You can also blend in some greens, or even crickets if bug parts in the blender don't gross you out too much! If he's dehydrated, you can substitute unflavored Pedialyte or similar electrolyte replacement formula for the water.

Good luck feeding Magoo and please do keep us posted. Since he's on antibiotics, the baby bird formula will be helpful because it will replace the beneficial gut bacteria.

[wolfchan]

Thanks so much. I work at a pet store so I'll be picking up some handfeeding formula tomorrow. I'll get some chicken baby food also, since that has been recommended to me several times. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

--Cathy