I was in a petstore today and noticed a baby bearded dragon that was tilting his head to the right. I asked a girl about him, and she of course didn't know what was wrong with him. She said they had just come in. Anyways, after asking what would happen to him, she just gave him to me! I have never owned a beardie. I plan on taking him to a vet on Friday, but was wondering what everyone here thought about his head tilt. I'm figuring it's neurological (just a guess) And I'm trying not to get my hopes up about him. He is otherwise in good shape. He's not thin at all and seems very interested in the crickets I put in with him tonight. I dusted the crix with calcium. Oh, I also have him set up in a 20 high on paper towels with a dish of treated water. A branch for him to climb on and a night time heat light. This is my first stop, so I am off to find some good care sheets. Any help and/or opinions would be great. I will post a pic of him in the morning. Thank you.
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Head tilting
Replies (13)
is he tilting his head like puppys do? maybe tilting his head and looking at you? remember their eyes are on opposite sides of the head, mine tilt when ever i come up to them like they are trying to get some depth perseption. but with all that said i would still go to vet, its the best thing to do with new animals. and if things work out like i think they will, you just got a free best friend.
Thank you so much for responding so quickly! I am all over looking up caresheets and such. And he tilts his head all the time to the right and when he walks he goes towards the right. Though if I hold him and he's looking at me, I'll move him to where his head is "normal" or straight, or to the left, so I know he can move it. And I sure hope you're right about him being O.K. I was kinda surprised they just gave him to me! After they said that, I was like, "Box him up" and I was outta there before they changed their mind! lol I read it was a bad idea to feed them bfore bed time. Is this true? Because I put 5 crickets in with him just a while ago.
ya you should not feed before bed, but he should be ok. see i'm not sure about the head tilting thing i didn't know it was all the time or even most and if he also walks that direction, well i'm just not sure, maybe he does have something a little wrong, but maybe its just the way he will be, and will still live a great life. i went thru all kinds of crap when i got my babys, they were very sick and we didn't think they would make it, but they both did. the ppl in this forum will help you with any questions you have, so don't be afraid to ask, i'm sure you will have a bunch before you go to the vet.
Yeah it's not to good to feed them b4 bedtime because they need to be at a certain temp to digest but u can feed it 2-3 hours b4 lights out. Also don't leave crickets in all night, the crickets may decide to chew on your little dragon and may cause serious injuries. Well hope this helps and I hope everything goes great for your dragon! 
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0.4.0 Leopard Geckos - Lea, Cleo, Aurora, Echo [2 eggs cooking]
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon - Luna
0.0.1 Fire Skink - Blaze
I've only had him for a couple hours and I have tons of questions! lol And I am already hopelessly attached to the little fart. What have I gotten myself into.....?
Oh, scrambled eggs, a no no right? The girl at the store said you can feed them scrambled eggs. But I have yet to read that anywhere.
And thanks alot you guys. You already make me feel very welcome here. I visit the frog forums alot, so if any of you ever decide to get some frogs, and need some help, lemme know! lol
my vet says scrammbled eggs are great
wow! Your fast! lol O.K then, it's scrambled eggs for breakfast.
beardycrazy had a good question, just eggs, no oil , butter, salt or anything that we like, just the eggs. and yess it can make a nice little mess out of your pan, but they shouldn't have all the other stuff. and make sure you let them cool a little. don't get upset if he dosn't like them at first it took mine a week to get the taste
How do you prepare the scrambled eggs?
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0.4.0 Leopard Geckos - Lea, Cleo, Aurora, Echo [2 eggs cooking]
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon - Luna
0.0.1 Fire Skink - Blaze
Im not to sure on that scrambled egg thing, i've never heard of that. I don't advise trying that. Hopefully there's someone out there that will know more about that. I know what you mean about gettin hopelessly attatched, i'm just crazy about the lil buggers! lol. Keep us posted on any updates on the lil guy!
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0.4.0 Leopard Geckos - Lea, Cleo, Aurora, Echo [2 eggs cooking]
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon - Luna
0.0.1 Fire Skink - Blaze
Congratz on your new buddy!! i do think you should take him to a herp vet. You should get a flourescent uvb bulb and a spot basking bulb on one side of the tank. Get a thermometer with a probe and get his basking side to about 105 deg. make sure the other side of the tank is about 80 deg. give him some vegi's (mustard,collard greens)
and phosphorous free calcium(powdered) and some small 1/2 inch crickets. for now .
and get a vet check up for sure. good luck!!
heres a few good links
http://www.dachiu.com/care/care.html
http://www.beautifuldragons.com
whos the cutie in the pic?
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reiko 
photos
head tilting or as it is sometimes called stargazing can be a sign of cocidia (worms). these parasites are found naturally in dragons but to many is bad. It is important to keep the animal hydrated. let it soak in warm water (not floating) for 20 min 3 times a day. be careful not to be to aggressive with a worming as there are GOOD bacteria needed for digestion that can be killed off too.
good luck
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Bennett
