Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I have several questions regarding food, soaking and lighting below. I hope someone will know the answers to some or all TIA!

soaking
The vet pointed out how my beardie's skin was very dry and wrinkly. Then she instructed me to soak him when I got home even tho I had already done so before showing up at her office. She didn't say to do it every day, just that he was very dehydrated. Should I go ahead and soak him every day for a while? if not, with what frequency should I do so?

The vet also instructed me to put a large container with water in his tank so he can soak in it. She said doing this would make clean up easier too since he will defacate into it.

lighting
the tank has a single 48" light fixture with an old bulb. I tried to find a replacement this week but none of the pet/reptile shops around in my area carry bulbs that large so I'm looking online for one. I have looked at the reptisun 5.0 which seems like the best but there are 2 kinds. one 'regular' and one for iguanas but both have the same specs. What is the difference between these two and which should I get for a bearded dragon?

I also have an old spot light fixture positioned over his tallest perch. I have always used regular GE 100 watt bulbs with it but the bulbs are always burning out. Yesterday I bought a 50 watt bulb from one of the reptile shops I went to. I believe it was this one (Repti Basking Spot Lamp 50W (Zoo-Med) ) The guy at the store said they are hotter so I got the lower wattage. I have not tested it yet to see how hot it is but... I have 2 questions about this.
1) my dragon sits just 6 to 8 inches away from this spot fixture, is this safe to do with the new spot light?
2) does this repti light provide any 'extra' advantage over a regular household light bulb? ie, uv rays, etc?

Food
I feed him only soaked repcal adult bearded dragon food.

I noticed at one of the stores they sold prepackaged dragon food. I forget the name but they are basically small cubes of red spongy things which feel a little bit moist. They're wrapped in plastic. The box said something about it improving a beardie's coloring. I know there's canned food out there as well but I've always stayed away from it. Does anyone know if this type of food is OK for a dragon? Has anyone fed this stuff to a dragon? My dragon has always refused to eat red foods anyway...

Hi there: Will answer your questions to the best of my knowledge. Though your vet isn't off on most of what he told you, there are some better ways to improve the health of your dragon.

Soaking is alright but I don't feel this is always the best way to rehydrate a dragon. If the dragon does actually drink while he is soaking than it's good. SOme dragons don't drink even when soaking. Other dragons hate being in the water and flip out, thus don't drink it at all and only try and get out. Since you mentioned you already soaked him before going to the vet, depending on the length of time between when you soaked him and when he was examined by the vet, he may not have had time to absorb the water from his stomach into his body tissues.

Having water in the dragon's tank is alright if the dragon actually drinks from it. A large dish of water, big enough for the dragon to get into, most likely will mean he will poo in it. Then you have to clean it right away to avoid the dragon drinking the dirty water. Leaving a smaller dish of water would be better as he won't be able to get into it to poo but can still drink out of it. Misting is also another way to get your dragon to drink.

lighting

You deffinitely have to get a UVB producing bulb, such as repti-glo or reptisun. To my knowledge there is no difference between the reptile bulb and the iguana bulb you mentioned. The only difference is the name and packaging.

The only reason I can think of a regular bulb burning out all the time is poor quality or it set at an angle. I have noticed my regular flood lights burned out fast when I had them set at an angle. Once I readjusted the fixture to have the bulb completely straight, they stopped burning out even though I am buying the exact same brand. The petstore bought basking spot lights may produce a bit more heat, but I think the biggest difference is the cost. 6" may be a bit too close as I would worry the dragon may get into contact with the bulb. My basking light is 10" from the surface of the basking spot. Use a temp gun or digital thermometer with probe to measure the exact temperature on the basking spot.

Food

I think the fact you use soaked pellets exclusively is why your dragon is dehydrated. Those things from what I have seen don't hold anywhere near as much moisture as fresh food does. Just about everybody here that uses the pellets also offer fresh greens. I don't use the pellets at all since my dragon doesn't like them, or at least the kind I had bought so she gets fresh greens every day and insects every couple of days.

Offer dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, escaroli and endive (2 of the previous list) mixed in with parsley, zuccini, green peppers, and other dark leafy greens. Avoid spinach and iceberg lettuce. Romaine is alright as a rare treat and mixed in with stables.

thanks for the answers. i don't have the light at an angle it is facing straight down from the top sitting atop a mesh cover. I think the is the problem after I played with it today and it sparked and made a scary noise. It is old and i'll replace it to see if that helps. unfortunately the spot bulb I got is not hot enough.