Spike is lethargic and not eating

Hello, we recently purchased a baby Bearded Dragon (Spike). I don't know exactly how old he is but he was about 4.5 inches long at the time of purchase.



Recently, he's become lethargic and isn't interested in eating. He's been like this for the past day or so. Typically when we drop crickets in coated with calcium powder, he chases after them and will eat 4-10 at a time. But we've tried feeding him twice now and he's just not interested.

His stool seems to be the same consistency and he still basks on his favorite branch or fake plant. He's sleeping on the latter now. He does seem a bit clumsier then normal too. We’ve noticed a couple times where he lost his footing and one time when he even fell off of his artificial plant while climbing it (just a couple inches of a fall). Up until now, he seemed very dextrous.

He's also started shedding recently. First his tail 4 days ago and now his head and legs. Could that have something to do with it?

Some theories we have:

1) he's going through brumination since (I think) winter is starting in his native Australia.

2) Another is when we were cleaning out his tank the other day, he ran into one of the glass panes. Could he have hurt himself with the impact?

3) The shedding is stressing him out

4) The last batch of crickets we bought had what looked like a small worm/larve. I didn’t think anything of it since I typically feed him and had planned on just not putting him in. Well the one time my wife decides to feed him, the worm/larve made it in and Spike ate it. However that was 5 days ago and he seemed fine.

5) The tank is not warm enough. We’ll probably have to get a stronger bulb but the tank hot spot is about 89-92 degrees. We have the UVB set up.

Thanks in advance for your replies. Spike has been a welcome addition so we want to make sure he's healthy and happy!

Hello,

He is a tiny one, indeed.
Have you had him less than 2 weeks?
I would increase his basking temperatures to a range of 95-110F with a cooler end of 78-82F for him. Babies need a higher basking temperature than adults do. Since he is so young, he wont be brumating right now, even if it is wintertime. You are in the US, correct?
How hard did he run into the glass & did his nose have a bruising on it? Hopefully he didn't hurt himself by banging himself too hard.
Please check the UVB type & brand you are using for us, too. Is it a long tube bulb or a compact/coil light? How close to him is it & what type of basking light are you using?

Tracie

Hi Tracie, thanks for the response.

We've had him for just over two weeks now. 15-16 days? We are in the US (Chicago area). There's no visible bruise on his nose so I don't think that's it. As for his basking temperature, we have a ReptiSun 10.0 Compact UVB Fluorescent Bulb, and a 100W Repti Basking Spot Lamp.

We're having trouble getting the temperature higher than 92 so we've added a space heater to the room in an effort to raise the temperature. Is a second heat lamp needed? We also have a ZooMed brand heating pad, placed outside the tank along the bottom (that area double layered with ZooMed cage carpet), which raised the average temperature a few degrees.



Here's a link to the same product:
http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/terrariums/zoo-med-trade-reptihabitat-bearded-dragon-40-gallon-terrarium-kit-zid36-5195101/cat-36-catid-500028

We have the light on top of the tank which places it about 6" from the topmost part he can climb to. The UVB is a compact/coil light and fits next to the heat lamp.

He did eat a large number of crickets some days ago - 14 in one sitting! And with his head and legs shedding now, I wonder if he's in the midst of a fully body shed which is leading to a decrease in his appetite? His tail shed 3 days ago. There's no noticeable weight loss.

As Tracies says, he is too young to brumate. I also doubt be caused him self injury running into the glass. If he did I think it would probably be obvious, but look for signs of neurological impairment.

Shedding could well be the cause however:

You have to get the hot spot higher. I wouldn't worry about the air temperature as that is likely fine, but he need to be able to bask at a temperature of at least 105. Likewise he can't have this as his background temperature. I'd experiment with moving the basking spot and using higher wattage bulbs, using a temp gun to check the temperature on his basking spot. Make sure the cooler end doesn't become too warm. This can be tricky in the smaller glass vivariums. How are you taking the temperature now?

Unfortunately those coil bulbs are not suitable, it needs to be a flourescent tube. I know this is a pain as you bought the coil in good faith.

Both of these need to be addressed, the heat would be the most likely cause of extended appetite loss, shedding short term.

P.s Can you describe the reptile sand? Some of these can also cause problems, especially when there is an issue with temperatures.

We have two thermometer/hydrometers; one on each end. The one on the hot side is digital while the cool side one is analog. The analog one came with the kit, here's a pic:



I trust this one less since the sales person (who owns a couple Beardies and seemed very knowledgable) said it's not as accurate.

I'm leaving for the pet store now to ask them and to see if they have hotter lamp alternatives. If they don't, is a higher wattage bulb from somewhere like Home Depot OK to use?

As for the sand, we're currently not using any. It's a sort of felt substrate made by ZooMeds. From what we've read, sand and young Beardies is not a good combination for digestive reasons.

I'd just go straight to Home Depot or similar. For the uva requirement their is no advantage to a branded bulb. If your can find a smaller hardware or lighting store they might be able to actually advise on the best option from a technical position. I'd try and get a temp gun or put the digital probe on the basking spot.

After a trip to the pet store and consulting with one of their staff, Spike's current lethargy is most likely due to low temperature and/or his shedding. I've purchased a 150W bulb and the tank is now a toasty 104 degrees. Spike has already perked up and even ate three crickets—hooray!

We were also advised to bathe Spike once daily, as this will help during his shedding.

We'll keep an eye on him but thanks for everyone's responses so far. This forum is invaluable!

Is that the temp on the spot? Do you know what it is on the other end?

Glad he eat, imo you really shouldn't need to bath a dragon to help it shed, unless it runs into problems at the end, it may also add stress to a lizard that is settling in. I would howeve drip water on his nose to make sure he drinks (a syringe without a needle is perfect for this)

Did you get a chane to replace the compact?

Keep us posted, hope he continues to eat.

I haven't yet tested the temp on the spot...the digital thermometer is at the top near the lights. I'll have to gauge that area. The other end is about 80 degrees.

We actually didn't use compact (the gravel substance which came with the kit?) We used a felt like cloth to line the bottom. Is that what you meant?

I'll make sure to post updates. I did notice him twice standing in his water dish, so it seems he likes the water for whatever reason. When he saw me he ran back to his branch so he must be bashful about taking a swim

SpikesFamily":3j7ymuyj said:

I haven't yet tested the temp on the spot...the digital thermometer is at the top near the lights. I'll have to gauge that area. The other end is about 80 degrees.

We actually didn't use compact (the gravel substance which came with the kit?) We used a felt like cloth to line the bottom. Is that what you meant?

I'll make sure to post updates. I did notice him twice standing in his water dish, so it seems he likes the water for whatever reason. When he saw me he ran back to his branch so he must be bashful about taking a swim

Click to expand...

Sorry, I was referring to the compact bulb.

I'd check the temperature on that spot to make sure it's correct and down the cool end. The standing in water could be because he is too warm (maybe unrelated). Also I wouldn't assume he's drinking in there.

Hello,
Hello,

It looks like you are getting the temperatures down now. Be sure the probe is where the primary basking spot is & stays there for at least 45 minutes. The overall ambient temperatures of the tank should only be around 82 or so, otherwise he can get overheated.
You are using the Reptisun 10 compact/coil UVB or did you change to the tube bulb now?
That is great he did eat for you. I hope his appetite picks up also.
Bathing is helpful for shedding if he is having some trouble. A lot of people bathe their dragons also because they will often drink during a bath, too.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

So the shedding process for Spike has come and gone. His color is finally back but strangely, his appetite has not. We've since upgraded the bulb so the warm end of the tank is around 105, cool side at 80. We've also purchased a Zilla brand 50 UVB strip light. We also give him a bath every few days.

He does eat the worms we provide with his salad, although I don't think he's eating the salad. He's grown maybe an inch since we got him, but it looks like he's lost a little weight.

Should we be concerned? Is he just wrapping up the shedding or is it something else, like a virus?