Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My dragon threw up this morning. He's 5 months old (according to the breeder) and I got him less than a month ago. The only thing I can think of is that there were a couple big crickets in with the babies. He is not going under his lights and I'm a bit concerned. My vet isn't in on Fridays. The vet's office wanted me to schedule an appointment with someone else, but none of the others have any reptile experience. Please give me some suggestions.

Erik

You might try reading Melissa Kaplan's article on vomiting. The website is...

http://www.anapsid.org/vomiting.html

It gives a bunch of reasons why reptiles vomit and how to rehydrate a sick reptile.

Hope this helps some...

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

Please provide the following info:

Temperature - Both ambient and basking spot.
Lighting - What type of lighting? UVB source?
Feeding - What are you feeding and how often.

Did he have enough time to digest his food last night?

Are his back legs functioning ok?

Providing some of this info will help diagnose his problem.
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Rob

Rob,
I hope this helps. I don't think I will feed him any live prey today.

I'm taking it you are either confident your setup is up to par or maybe you're not and you'd rather not talk about it.

That's not meant to sound as harsh as it does. It's just for clarification.

I noticed you indicated your breeder told you the dragon was 5 months old but also stated there were some big crickets in with the babies. I think that is conflicting information because I'm pretty sure most would not consider a 5 month old beardie a baby. How large is he?

Can you give some of the info requested? It probably won't be a waste of your time. Regardless, I hope your strategy works well and your beardie doesn't end up being to sick to recover.

If your strategy does not work make sure you seek more help as soon as you can. Most of the time when beardies show signs of illness they have not just become sick. They have been sick for awhile and the problem has progressed. Hiding illness and injuries are instinctual for their survival as predators will tend to go for the weakest pray. When they show signs there's not much time left.

Good luck!
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Rob

Sorry, my post got cut off. I dont know how.

What I said was...

Basking spot temp is 105, ambient about 90. I feed him veggies in the morning, which he doesn't have much interest in. Crickets later on in the day, and I Try to keep em small enough. I never feed him in the evenings, so it's at least 3 hrs. before I turn his lights out. I'm sure that he finds a straggler or two closer to bed time though. I haven't had him to the vet for a fecal yet cause I've only had him for a couple weeks.

Thanks,
Erik

PS
I'm not sure that he's five months, but I"m sure that large crickets are much bigger than the space between his eyes. That is what I had read is too big. Is that correct? I've been buying babies from the store because I was under the impression that large crickets are not good for him at this age.

Erik

Well most everything sounds ok to me. There are a couple things that come to mind, though.

Ambient temp on the cool side of the tank should be about 80 if it's not already.

I would think if he does get ahold of a few crix right before bed they may rot in his stomach at night and cause him to throw up in the morning. On a side note make sure you try not to leave any crickets in with him at night. They will eat on him and he won't even know it until he wakes up in pain. If you have to leave them in there make sure they have some food to eat instead of your beardie because they will be hungry at night!! The crix size is right on.

Get a fecal on Monday to rule out any internal problems.

That's about all I can think of right now but there are a lot of experienced people here that might have some more info.

Hope he gets better. Sounds to me like you have done a pretty good job so far!

Just ask if you have any more questions.
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Rob

i just moved up here....where's all the reptile stores?!
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python (mr snake),0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake (CK),1.1.0 leopard gecko (sebastian and vilma),0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa (luce),1.1.1 bearded dragon (kaipo, dulce, and kellen), 1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (adam and eve)