First Aid for Bearded Dragons
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Nutritional supplementation for the sick reptile - slurry making
When a reptile has been sick, on medications, or is newly rescued they often will not eat food on their own. During these times it becomes necessary to make a pureed or slurry diet to be carefully syringe fed. A mortar and pestle, pictured to the left, is helpful in grinding up insects and worms, and combining slurry ingredients. While there are several commercially-available and nutritionally sound replacement foods for sick reptiles on the market, they are often used in combination with other ingredients or in other recommended slurry recipes. Below are some helpful recipes that are species-specific. As always, consult a qualified herp veterinarian in treating the sick reptile that is no longer eating on its own.
Iguana Slurry Recipe
from Iguana Den |
Gecko Slurry Recipe
from Golden Gate Geckos |
Basic multi-species slurry
ingredient information including: Emaciation/Starvation Protocol Rewarming the Hypothermic Reptile and Encouraging Self Feeding should be used along with solid veterinary advice and to support keeper's understanding of rehabbing the starved reptile. |
RioReptiles page on making slurries for sick bearded dragons.
Leo Goo
Marcy stimulated her injured leopard gecko's appetite with this bug goo recipe. This recipe has worked well with other people's rescue leos as well.
2 wax worms 1 large superworm 2 drops of Acidopholiz 2 drops of Calci-Blast (or liquid calcium) 2 drops water Smash super worm and wax worms with either a mortar and pestle or in a small cup with a spoon. The calcium is very important as both feeders are high in phosphorus. Add other ingredients and draw up into a syringe. Place a drop on the leos nose and they will instinctively lick it off. It is important to note that prior to giving any protein the animal should be hydrated and producing urates. If no urates are present an overload of protein could cause more damage. |
This little rescue leo had a broken leg, had dropped his tail and was not eating. Leo Goo helped him on the path to recovery. The Golden Gate Slurry Recipe was next on the list but just used what was on hand to keep him alive and it worked, got him eating!
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