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I've had my male water dragon, Charlie, for almost 3 years. He out grew his original tank about 6 mos. ago & I set up a new enclosure with 3 UVA/UVB lights & 2 Basking lamps, plenty of branches & vines & kitty litter box swimming pool & water fountain on the ground floor. I'm attaching a pic, you can kind of see his tail as he's on his way to the "2nd story". I've added more lights & plants & lowered the "3rd floor" since this initial shot. He seems quite content, but my husband has already started building a larger screen enclosure (6hx6wx4d).
I got a new puppy a little over 2 weeks ago & Charlie stopped eating at about the same time. He ate one little wax worm & one bite of strawberry a week ago and one cricket two days ago. I've tried offering new foods along with his favorites (he loves raspberries) but nothing. Four days ago I started adding an electrolyte/D3 supplement to his water supposed to stimulate appetite & relieve stress, but seems to have no affect on eating. He normally eats nothing but fruits, veggies & either meal worms or crickets & an occasional grass hopper. About twice a month I'll try offering super worms, feeder fish, hibiscus, etc., but he never wants them. Over the last two weeks I've tried all of the above, but as I said, one little wax worm & one cricket is all he woud eat.
Not knowing how long he can live, I'm becoming very concerned it being 2 weeks now, however he is as plump as always, his color is good, he is active & his eyes are bright & clear. He is attentive when I talk to him & is still bathing & otherwise appears normal. Started molting around his mouth last week, but pretty much done now & does not appear to have any damage there & is breathing normally. Sorry to go on & on, but I really love him & am at a total loss as to what to do. I'll take him the vet if that is what your recommend, although other than eating he seems fine. Will try anything. Oh, I also tried covering the enclosure with a sheet so he could not see the puppy, but that didn't help him to eat either. It is open air, so I suppose he can still hear him & smell him.
Thank you so much for any help or advice you can give. I've tried to research this issue on the internet, but mostly come up with snout/mouth rot or impaction & I don't think it's that. Really think it is the pup. Unfortunately, it's too late to get rid of him... I also have another small dog & a large cat who were present when I brought Charlie home & they have always gotten along well. Whenever I have Charlie out the cat runs & hides & the dog just sniffs him & walks away. Never thought the pup would cause such a problem for the lizard. Thanks again for any help you can lend.
AnswerHello Cherise, I am not doubting your information but are you sure Charlie is a male? I can't see his body very well in the photo but it could be that he is a she and might be gravid (carrying eggs). Thats one possibility for him to stop eating. If you are unsure or think it may be a possibility go ahead and attach a photo of him with his length from snout to tail so I know approximately how old he is and can see if he has any secondary sexing characteristics. Sometimes though even females will have large spikes crest and bright throat colors. They are all different.
What is the humidity at and temperature?
How large is he from snout to tail?
How long have you had him?
If cared for properly they can live 8-12 years so I don't much think its his time.
The fact that he is still a hefty or healthy weight and not eating is confusing me. That makes it sound as though Charlie is Charlene and is carrying eggs.
Have you ever visited http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com ? It is a very helpful site. Tricia Powers is very educated when it comes to water dragons and her site has helped me many times when I first started taking care of Water Dragons.
Check out this link on her site
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/problems.htm#if
Its about CWD stopped eating. Mentioning Gravid Females, Parasites, Impaction, Dehydration and more.
IT might just be that the puppy is making him feel threatened. If they feel less dominant to another animal they will stop eating assuming that the food is for the dominant one. ( I had this problem when finding out my two juvenile water dragons were male)
So maybe move the water dragon into a bed room or other area of the house where the puppy isn't around.
Read up on the link given and tell me what you think of my ideas and we can go from there.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
If you would like you can become a member on RepticZone.com and there is a Water Dragon Forum with plenty of helpful and educated members. I am on there regularly so if you would like to go into more detail or get advise from other water dragon owners go ahead.
Its also a fun site to just share pictures and stories. The new water dragon photo contest is starting on there either today or tommorow. Hope to see you there!
-Yexalen
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