baby CWD wont eat

Question
QUESTION: just bought a baby Chinese water dragon 6 days ago he is about 5 or 6 inches big and he hasn't ate since the day after i got him and only one cricket. I've tried crickets, mealworms and veggies and doesn't want to eat any thing. What should i do?

ANSWER: Hello Steve,

I will need more information to fully answer your question.
What size enclosure?
Lighting?
Temperatures?
Setup?
Humidity?
Housed with other animals?

How big are the food items?
Any other unusuall signs?


Try feeding him crickets no bigger then the space between his eyes, and wrap the enclosure in a sheet or towel so he feels more secure (watch out for heat lights, you don't want to start a fire)

Try not to handle him much, and let him settle in.

It can be normal for them to chose not to eat for up to a week after you get them. They are easily stressed so the more calm you can make him the better chance at getting him to eat. If after a few more days he still shows no sign of getting better, take him to the vet for a check up. There might be something else wrong.

Good luck,
Heather

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: jusst for right now he is in a smaller 20 gallon exo terra terarium with a tropical habitat coco husk flooring temp is at about 80 durring the day and 70 to 75 at night humidity steady around 73% all times.light source is over top repti glo 5.0 compact bulb. have an underneith heat source as well to maintain correct temp. Try to feed him medium size crikets and meal worms. No other animals in terrarium. Notice he has went to bathroom almost everyday and its mucus looking sometimes and sometimes whiteish. Noticed a new mark or bump like sore on bottom lip just came up today. Any other advice orinfo you can give back would be great. thanks

Answer
Hello Steve, I sincerely apologize for such a late reply. I have been sick and in the hospital this last week.

My first concern (and the most important) is the Compact UV bulb. You need to take it out as soon as possible. No UV is better then the compact bulbs. They have been known to cause serious health issues.

Repti-sun 5.0 linear tube lights are the only ones I will recommend in this case and many others. Other times the 10.0 is better but you will want to work with the 5.0 for now.

The food items should be no bigger then the space between his eyes.

A larger enclosure is definitely important and should be started as soon as possible, they do grow mighty fast.

Does his fecal matter appear runny at all? Does it look like he has little worms in it?

Sounds like a possible internal parasite problem. A vet check up is most recommended however if you can buy some ParaZap (Sold online and at pet stores) follow the reptile directions for it, it should help clear it up. Its a natural preventative and treatment for internal parasites and as long as the instructions are followed there shouldn't be any problem in using it even if it is not confirmed that he has parasites. As I said it is also a preventative.

I am not sure about the bump, could you get a picture?