I have recently acquired a bearded dragon, recent being about 3 months. When I first got him he was energetic, running around his area and eating constantally. He would take down about 10 crickets every feeding, and greens are offered at all times. Now he is looking very thin (in the back end) not energetic, having a hard time walking, not drinking at all, not eating at all. I'm not sure what could be wrong, or even what to do? (I've made a vet appt to get him in, but they cant get me in for 3 days..I'm worried about what to do in the mean time)
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Help please
Ashleyy
Apr 11, 2011 11:27 AM
Replies (2)
angiehusk
Apr 11, 2011 04:08 PM
Poor thing....what is your set up like ? It sounds like calcium deficiency....this can happen even if you give calcium powder if they don't have the proper light / heat, to help absorb it. Could you list the type of lighting you have, and how close he can get to it ? What are the temps.? Should be 105 hot side, 80 cool side.The vet should be one that deals with reptiles, otherwise you may get no real help. At least they can check the calcium levels, and of course other things. If you are in an area that is warm enough, getting him in the natural sunlight [ outside, not through a glass window ] can help, also you can get some liquid calcium from a drugstore [ calglucon] or just wait to see if your vet gives you some. Putting him in about 2" of water and dribbling some on his nose may get him to drink, but don;t leave him unattended.
PHLdyPayne
Apr 12, 2011 04:03 PM
As Angiehusk suggests, give us more details about your setup. As he sounded healthy and eating well when you bought him, it does sound like something is missing or not correct in your setup.
Give us details about the cage he's in, what his basking temp is and air temp both at the hot end of the cage and the cool end. What sort of substrate you are using? How are you measuring temps (ie stick on thermometer, digital thermometer with probe, temp gun etc) what size insects are you feeding? Are they gut loaded beforehand(where applicable)? Are you providing UVB light? How many daylight/nightime hours are you providing?
How old is the dragon? Do you take him out of his cage frequently?
The more information yu can give us about his care and habitat since you bought him...will help us figure out what needs to be changed in your setup.
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PHLdyPayne
Forum Princess
