Hello, I haven't breed bearded dragons in nearly 5 years and just hatched my first clutch since restarting my breeding, on Jan 21. My dragons are caliente reds and one is hypo (they are screamers!). My problem is that some of the young were deformed (small eye, cleft lip), and those died relatively quickly (2-3 weeks). The rest were in great shape and all doing well until 2-3 days ago, when two of my healthiest and largest babies went from about 100% healthy and happy to dead in 24-36 hours. The decline is remarkable and something i haven't seen before. They are kept under solarglo lighting, with a basking spot above 120 and a cool area near 80. They are misted daily(normally twice) and given a bath about every other day, and are fed crickets and inhouse bred mealworms (both gutloaded with repashy superfood). They were growing about a half inch per week and really doing absolutely great! WHATS GOING ON?! The decline is as follows: 1. absolutely healthy, eating any and everything 3-4 times a day 2. lethargic (dont think much about it as they can be seen to be in shed 3. sunken eyes, obviously dehydrated, totally lethargic (they drink readily though!) 4. dead under paper towels! All in about 30 hours. Some things to consider while diagnosing: House bugs frequent my basement, and were one of the culprits i was blaming, but my last death was a holdback who i kept in a screened in cage. Paper towels are the bedding of choice and changed every other day so i dont think impaction is much of a risk although i have seen one or two taking a bite out of it. One of the three that suddenly died threw up in the water dish during his last bath, literally "shook" his head back and forth until a white gooey substance came out of his mouth. When they are in decline they sometimes sit with their mouth open, this is how i know to start worrying. I'm not sure what the deal is! Inbreeding depression? Elderbugs are poisonous, and maybe one got through the screening? Literally I've never had a healthier dragon go from 100% healthy to dead in 24 hours! Someone help!

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