HELP!!! My dragon is not eating/going to the bathroom

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SamanthaLag

New member
For the past week or two my male Bearded Dragon (Smiley) (around 6 years old) hasn't been eating much, or going to the restroom. He mainly stays under his log all day - I believe sleeping. :?: :?: Is there something wrong with him?!
I am worried he is passing away; but I am not sure since I have never owned a dragon before.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I am sorry your dragon isn't doing well.
Can you review your tank setup such as the type/brand of your UVB lights, the supplementation, temperatures, feeding schedule, so we can be sure everything is correct?
If you have any pictures of him also, that would be great, & of your tank setup too.
Is he losing weight or is his beard black?

Tracie
 

SamanthaLag

New member
Original Poster
Drache613":2e4993wa said:
Hello,

I am sorry your dragon isn't doing well.
Can you review your tank setup such as the type/brand of your UVB lights, the supplementation, temperatures, feeding schedule, so we can be sure everything is correct?
If you have any pictures of him also, that would be great, & of your tank setup too.
Is he losing weight or is his beard black?

Tracie

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17972124_10154640347988667_8438903257884983803_o.jpg


17917639_10154640348473667_3522324946801441109_o.jpg


17991287_10154640348143667_2529325766004073794_o.jpg


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17990232_10154640348253667_7299991188803556749_o.jpg


18010186_10154640348038667_311330293831084911_n.jpg
 

kingofnobbys

BD.org Sicko
Less a lizard eats the less it will poo.

Essentially the equation is IN = OUT minus stuff metabolized to make more dragon or new tissues..

I can see a few obvious issues.

Temperatures gauges used are very poor , that type are known to be highly unreliable and extremely inaccurate (can be 25 degrees out !). Recommend you get hold of some digital thermometers like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Aquarium-LCD-Electronic-Digital-Thermometer-Fish-Tank-Water-Detector-Practica-BU/252762165947?_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D6ac464a2a1b24339be32c744b2ff5cf9%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D201577608563
these are very good for getting a good idea of your tank's warm and cool zone temperatures (and the ones I have proven to be very accurate)
and
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Temperature-Gun-Meter-Laser-Infrared-IR-Thermometer-Kitchen-Outdoor-NEW-/162322033570?hash=item25cb25aba2:g to get your surface temperatures (ie basking spot temperature).

Essentially you have no real idea at the moment what the zone temperatures and basking spot temperatures are , reptiles rely on heat to digest their food , if too cold their metabolic rate slows and they loose interest in eating.

Red heat globe - these are not appropriate for bearded dragons as they change the colour of everything you give him to eat (greens, veg, bugs). I recommend ditching the red globe and replacing with either a good brand MVB (will provide bright colourless (more or less light), heat, UVA and UVB) or a clear colourless par38 Philips incandescent spot globe of suitable wattage.

Can you tell us the wattage of the UV compact globe and it's UVB rating. I think you'll notice an improvement in his appetite if you have a good quality high intensity UVB globe, a change to a 26W UVB200 will help.
You ought to consider installing a 10%UVB - 14%UVB T5 tube with a reflector behind in it the near future.
Inadequate exposure to UVA will result in a reduced appetite and reduced activity in a bearded dragon.

Can you also tell us when the lights are turned on each day and off each day ?

His age ?

His weight ?

And your current feeding schedule (when ? what ? how many bugs each feed ?)

His tank is too small , he'll soon grow too big to comfortably turn around and move about in such a small tank.
 

SamanthaLag

New member
Original Poster
kingofnobbys":1yab2f04 said:
Less a lizard eats the less it will poo.

Essentially the equation is IN = OUT minus stuff metabolized to make more dragon or new tissues..

I can see a few obvious issues.

Temperatures gauges used are very poor , that type are known to be highly unreliable and extremely inaccurate (can be 25 degrees out !). Recommend you get hold of some digital thermometers like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Aquarium-LCD-Electronic-Digital-Thermometer-Fish-Tank-Water-Detector-Practica-BU/252762165947?_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D6ac464a2a1b24339be32c744b2ff5cf9%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D201577608563
these are very good for getting a good idea of your tank's warm and cool zone temperatures (and the ones I have proven to be very accurate)
and
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Temperature-Gun-Meter-Laser-Infrared-IR-Thermometer-Kitchen-Outdoor-NEW-/162322033570?hash=item25cb25aba2:g to get your surface temperatures (ie basking spot temperature).

Essentially you have no real idea at the moment what the zone temperatures and basking spot temperatures are , reptiles rely on heat to digest their food , if too cold their metabolic rate slows and they loose interest in eating.

Red heat globe - these are not appropriate for bearded dragons as they change the colour of everything you give him to eat (greens, veg, bugs). I recommend ditching the red globe and replacing with either a good brand MVB (will provide bright colourless (more or less light), heat, UVA and UVB) or a clear colourless par38 Philips incandescent spot globe of suitable wattage.

Can you tell us the wattage of the UV compact globe and it's UVB rating. I think you'll notice an improvement in his appetite if you have a good quality high intensity UVB globe, a change to a 26W UVB200 will help.
You ought to consider installing a 10%UVB - 14%UVB T5 tube with a reflector behind in it the near future.
Inadequate exposure to UVA will result in a reduced appetite and reduced activity in a bearded dragon.

Can you also tell us when the lights are turned on each day and off each day ?

His age ?

His weight ?

And your current feeding schedule (when ? what ? how many bugs each feed ?)

His tank is too small , he'll soon grow too big to comfortably turn around and move about in such a small tank.


Not sure the weight, I got him when he was 5 years old with the cage and everything. So he is around 5/6 years old and is a dwarf bearded dragon.
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
I agree with the suggestion to change the lighting ASAP. He is almost surely not getting enough uvb, although his problem could be related to something else , good uvb will help him absorb nutrients + strengthen his immune system.

By the way, Smiley is really cute + has a sweet face. :) Although he's small he's not a dwarf, like a Rankin's .
 

kingofnobbys

BD.org Sicko
SamanthaLag":gia6r66r said:

Not sure the weight, I got him when he was 5 years old with the cage and everything. So he is around 5/6 years old and is a dwarf bearded dragon.
looking at his crown and head spike arrangement he is not a rankings , but just a very small central bearded dragon who's growth was poor and became stunted because of poor husbandry and bad lighting by his previous owner.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

He is a little sweetie! He is definitely a central bearded dragon, & has some great colors, too.
As suggested, he will start to do a lot better with some heating & lighting improvements.
I love the name, Smiley, it really fits him.
Does he eat the greens very much?
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie
 
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