Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a 1 1/2 month old dragon that is acting very strange. he rolls around the cage like he cant pick his head up. i am almost certain his cage mate didnt bite him they are same size. i picked him up he flips around in my hand. i put him in 1/2 inch of water and he just flips around but he wont sit up and pick his head out of the water. i have never heard of this or seen this before. i saw him eat a cricket when one walked by. i have him in a paper toweled tank now with low heat. there was nothing wrong with the heat or the set up before. i had him in clean play sand. he eats 1/4 inch crix. everything seems to be normal and his cage mate is fine. im worried

Rolling is usually a sign of impaction. I'd get him off sand and on to paper towel, keep water out of the enclosure (he could drowned).
You might try a warm bath while massaging his belly. Make sure his basking temp is high enough, 100-110. Rolling is pretty serious, get him to a vet as soon as you can.
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TheClassyLizard

I agree...definitely get him away from the sand and keep him on paper towel until he gets much bigger! I didn't put mine on sand until she was almost a year and the only good sand to use is the calcium sand. It's finer and easier to digest. It's a shame because way too many places selling beardies don't bother to obtain the proper knowledge to tell people about owning them...and then the new owner has to go through a horrible scare of something happening to their dragon. Petco is a terrible example of that! I went in there a few months ago and they had just gotten in a shipment of bearded dragons...they didn't even know what type of reptile it was. I told them not to put them on sand, just paper towel cause they were soooo small! I went back a week later, they were all on sand and dead! I completely flipped out to the manager in the store and haven't shopped there since!! This forum is great because everyone can share there own little pieces of helpful information about them. I really hope your little boy gets better! Also you may already know this but every now and then try taking him out in the real sun for a little while. They really seem to perk up. Good luck!

if he started doing this friday what do you think his chances of pulling through are?? he doesnt seem to get better but not worse either

it cant be diagnosed properly here or treated, definatly seperate the two dragons. It could be impaction, You can try a little mineral oil just like 2-3 drops from a syringe (no needle) IF he is impacted this could help him. But again i would get the little guy to a herp vet, its never too early, especially when it comes to reptiles and this little one sounds as though he needs help right now.
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reiko

photos

I wish I could tell you...but I would try the sun idea. If it is a problem with digestion hopefully the UVB and UVA rays from direct real sunlight will help with it. Maybe also try holding him on your hand in some warm water for a while. That sometimes helps them go to the bathroom if they are constipated. But make sure you hold him so he doesn't drown. If it doesn't get better I would consider going to the vet Good luck!
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- Harley -

if he started doing this friday what do you think his chances of pulling through are?? he doesnt seem to get better but not worse either