Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. A week ago tomorrow I got my baby BD. She is ina 10 gal. I have a UVB ligh on 12 hrs. Which gives her a basking spot og 90 degrees. Then I give her a diff light. It gives here a basking spot of 105 degrees. She won't eat greens. And it take a lot for me to get her to eat mealworms. When she sits in my hand she like falls asleep. Thats not normal right? I keep trying to call the breeder I got her from and they won;t answers nor will or have they called me back. When I got her they told me I cold come out the following day. I had to go back befcause the light I bought broke and she told me there was a yr waranty. Well I drove to their house the next day and they nevere answered the door. I am almost positive they were home. I'm so upset and very worried about my baby. What do you guys think? Thank you.

~Danielle

Dont be worried about the greens for now if she is a baby because some babies eat their greens some dont and dont feed mealies because they are high in chitin try silkworms or crickets.I recommend silkworms because they are high in calcium and soft bodied.Does she have UVB?How big is she?Have you gotten a fecal check for her yet?
-----
My Leo's
1.0.0 Normal
0.1.0 Tremper Albino
My Beardie
0.0.1 Red x Gold

Thanks for the quick reply. I will get a fecal done as soon as she poops again. She does have UVB. I'll stop trying to get her to eat the veggies. When I get a fecal done do I have to take her in or just a sample of her poop? Thanks

Take her in too because the vet will check her out and get a record on her so if you go to the vet again they have a record and stuff.
-----
My Leo's
1.0.0 Normal
0.1.0 Tremper Albino
My Beardie
0.0.1 Red x Gold

First thing I'd do is try raising the basking temps to about 110-115. How old is she?

If you feel like you need to, you can feed her by hand using a syringe and some smashed repcal pellets.

Above all else make sure she's extremely well hydrated. Try placing a few drops of water on her snout and she should lick it up. It's realy important to keep the little ones hydrated.

Good luck with her!!!
-----
Rob Talkington

Well she's 2 months old. SHe wouldn't eat today. Her basking spot is 110-115 now. I'm going to add a heating pad to the tank to keep her some what warm at night even know its summer time. Maybe she's getting too coool at night? I can't get into a vet till the 23rd...I don't know what to do. I might try the pellets and a syringe. Help!!

You may want to use pedialyte instead of water to moisten the pellets, it will help better hydrate her.

With healthy beardies supplemental heat isn't necessary unless the temps drop below 65 at night but with this situation it probably isn't a bad idea. Just make sure to turn the heater off during the day so she has a cool area to thermoregulate.

Do you have a light at both ends of the tank? If so I'd definitely only have the heat at one end. She does need a cool area in her tank. If you have to get a dimmer switch and add the supplemental heat with the UVB bulb then so be it. Or maybe even try a lower wattage bulb.

FYI, you may not have 10 days to wait for a vet visit. I know that may sound blunt but when these guys go down hill they go quick. Is there any way you can get her in sooner?

Also, I had to hand feed my little guy for about 2 months before he started on his own. In addition the pellets you may want to pick up some Acidipholiz . It is a probiotic that will help get some good gut flora into her digestive system and may stimulate her appetite. It has done great things for a lot of beardies. I'll put a link at the bottom of this post for you.

If you want to try to get something out of the breeder you can threaten a letter to the Better Business Bureau as well as the animal control office in your area. Selling a tiny, sick baby then refusing to help out could be considered as animal cruelty, at least that's what I'd indicate to them. Also, it is their responsibility to replace the light that broke and I believe the Better Business Bureau may get involved with contacting them if you tell them the whole story. You can also threaten to write you local newspaper about the situation. Make them worry about their name a little. Explain to them it would be in their best interest to make things right or you will see to it this story is heard by many.

If it's a well known breeder I'd start tainting their name in private emails to people you know as well as the BOI. Just be completely truthful in your explanation. If you don't know what the BOI is email me and I'll tell you.

Another thing. You indicated she falls asleep when in your hand. Try to handle her only when you have to right now. I think the biggest problem is her stress level. Is there alot of traffic where she sits? Maybe cover up three sides of the 10 gallon to help make it seem like a smaller, more comfy and secure place to live.

ProBiotic Lind

Good luck with her!!
-----
Rob Talkington

A 10 gal tank is very small to be able to have two basking spots and still have a cool area. You do have a side of the tank that stays around 80 degrees right? If she can not thermoregulate whe will not do well. NO more mealworms! Make sure you never feed prey bigger then the space between her eyes.I am sorry about your experiance with the breeder, it sounds horrible.

Go here to read a care sheet with pictures of the setup she should be in.
Care Sheet