Very Lethargic baby Dragon

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MamaD

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Hello,

I’m very new to bearded dragons. My daughter was given one by a family who didn’t want to keep (birthday present for their son) and she’s been dedicated in learning about him and taking care of him. He is sort of a companion for her. She has chronic health issues and he’s been her hope.

He’s roughly 3-4 months old, but on the smaller side. His basking area is about 95-105 is with the cooler side around 85. We have a carpet that came with his enclosure. He’s been eating crickets 3 times a day with some greens and occasional apple.

A few days ago he seemed to be eating a little less. Yesterday he ate only once. Tonight he was incredibly lethargic and seems to be struggling with his breaths. He also seems dehydrated? I’ve given him a bath/soak to try and rehydrate him and I’ve tried to give him blended greens in the side of his mouth. He perked up but just barely. I’m sitting up all night with him because I’m so worried he’s going to die. I’ve been reading over posts here as well to see what I could try...

I have calls into emergency vets but I live way out in the country and I’m not having good luck. Any help would be so appreciated. We really love him and I don’t know what to do to help him.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Please post pics of the tank and lighting -- https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ click on XIMG at the top of the message box then click on the pic it should post
The basking temps and UVB are crucial for the dragon -- NO Coils for UVB they are no good -- you need a fixture like this https://www.reptilesupplyco.com/wholesale-reptile-hoods-domes-fixtures/1884-reptisun-terrarium-hood-t5-24-zoo-med.html
Basking temps need to be 105-110 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons they are inaccurate you want something like this and it can be bought at Pet Smart or Petco https://www.reptilesupplyco.com/wholesale-reptile-thermometers-hygrometers/657-digital-thermometer-zoo-med.html
Karrie
 

MamaD

Member
Original Poster
I’m trying to upload pictures but they just aren’t loading?

We have a dome light but I’m sending my husband to get the one you mentioned as soon as the store opens. As well as a new thermometer.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Most stores do not sell the fixture I posted ---- let me know what he ends up w / what size tank is the dragon in? Did the pics upload ---? If the did click on XIMG at the top of the message box then click on the pic --- you may haft to refresh the page for uploading --
Karrie
 

MamaD

Member
Original Poster
109005-1129713096.jpg
This is his nighttime one (only one bulb). It was initially a day and night set up but the day time one broke, so we got a second dome for his day time light.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
You dont want any colored bulbs -- they are a no no!! All you need is one good basking bulb that keeps temps at 105-110 taken w/ a digital probe -- and a good UVB and that is what I posted earlier -- your going to need to get a hide for him/ her -- dragons sleep in the dark and temps should not be below 65 at nite and in the 70's --- you should have 3 temps in the tank basking temp 105-110-- warm which is usually the middle of the tank 90's and cool side of the tank 80's during the day ---
Karrie
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Ok so get rid of that --- you want a bright white basking bulb it looks like this
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/environmental-control-and-lighting/exo-terra-intense-basking-spot-light-14809.html?cgid=500202
Its going to be trial and error w / this bulb -- I would start w/ a 100 watt make sure you have a digital probe thermometer take the probe place it where he sits for basking and wait 10 min and then get the temp --- you dont want it over 110-- that piece of decor you have is going to be good for gradient heat meaning he can pick a spot of where he wants to bask for temps --
Karrie
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
Glad you posted here, both bulbs are useless and neither of them put out any uvb. The per stores are selling the wrong bulbs + making big bucks with the fancy colors. You'll need a bright white basking bulb as well as a good long tube uvb like Karrie mentioned. You need it ASAP, your beardie can quickly end up with seizures and MBD. Can you get him out in the sun [ NOT in the glass tank ] for some natural uvb rays until you get the right lighting ? And here's the white bulbs you can get for heat, they are not reptile specific but will do the job for much lless money. From Walmart, get that high or higher wattage but no LED.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/29993/full
 

MamaD

Member
Original Poster
MamaD":yq1jv87a said:
109005-8244783654.jpg
nightime

109005-6781291398.jpg
daytime (same brand)


Ok, so the nighttime is a black light one and is warm but doesn’t make things bright. It that ok? Or no lights at night? We got his whole set up from the person I mentioned and it was a kit from pet smart I think. He has a hide that is in the picture (looks like a branch but it hollow on the underside and he can crawl in. Is that ok or do I need a different one?

My husband is about to go the store to get new lights. Is there anything we can get to help him food wise? He’s been opening his eyes, moving, and then goes back to being lethargic and seeming super still/limp.
 

MamaD

Member
Original Poster
I had no idea!!!! I feel horrible. I can take him out today and hold him.
Thank you all so much.


AHBD":1b39ruk7 said:
Glad you posted here, both bulbs are useless and neither of them put out any uvb. The per stores are selling the wrong bulbs + making big bucks with the fancy colors. You'll need a bright white basking bulb as well as a good long tube uvb like Karrie mentioned. You need it ASAP, your beardie can quickly end up with seizures and MBD. Can you get him out in the sun [ NOT in the glass tank ] for some natural uvb rays until you get the right lighting ? And here's the white bulbs you can get for heat, they are not reptile specific but will do the job for much lless money. From Walmart, get that high or higher wattage but no LED.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/29993/full
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
Yeah it's not your fault at all, the baby started out healthy but after a while when the bulbs are the wrong ones they go down hill quickly. He can make a turn around , might not have much of an appetite buut you can trry squishing a cricket until the guts come out and rubbing it lightly on his snout. Or get some baby food chicken and squash [ sugar /salt free ] to feed him via syringe. The pet store may have Repto boost, that's good too.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
He needs daily protein -- crickets dubia roaches silk worms and BSFL are all good staple feeders --- they need to be dusted w/ calcium D3 5 x per week once per feeding and vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week once per feeding -- salads as well here is a nutrition website for that and those need to be offered every morning ignore the kale thing its good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
I would suggest getting your lighting in order and get him eating something crickets --- little ones and dust them - do not leave them in the tank over nite and count how many your feeding you dont want any left in the tank over nite they come out and bite
And yes I would recommend getting him a new hide I am going to post some decor pieces you can look at for the tank they are nice ones all from petsmart
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-driftwood-reptile-decor-54734.html?cgid=500116 this piece you can lay in the tank different ways
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-reptile-bogwood-decor-55913.html?cgid=500116
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-rainforest-cave-reptile-decor-55905.html?cgid=500116
Look at these pieces and go from there
No colored bulbs -- tank needs darkness so baby gets a good sleep if you need heat at nite get a che ceramic heat emitter--- they produce heat only- that's if your tank is falling below 65 at nite
Karrie
 
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