Hello, I'm a new, first time owner of a beardie. I purchased little Salamence (6 w/o according to breeder) three days ago at a LLLReptiles near me, and everything was going great until I replaced its UVB bulb yesterday. This morning, I noticed it took longer than usual for it to get up and about Normally 30-60 mins after the lights come on, it walks around and I feed it 2-5 small crickets drenched in Calcium powder with 0% D3.
I am so incredibly concerned that I might have done something to disturb its well-being as its behavior has completely changed. 'Mence has eaten two crickets today, usually 15-20 would have already been consumed by now. Its eyes are swollen and have been closed for most of the day. There's been a lack of bowel movements since the light replacement; abdomen is bigger than usual. What's also worrisome is the fact that it hasn't moved much, 6 hours have been spent on his basking area in a weird lethargic state. I should mention that he's been excessively skittish, even a look in its direction will put it in the "alert" stance. Also, no change in color/dullness.
I've been reading forums on this site all day long looking for answers. Please help me, I feel so guilty for any harm I might have caused it.
The habitat is a 20 gallon long with eco-carpet. 90-100 in the basking corner, 70-80 in the cool side (temps according to a digital thermometer). The enclosure came with a dual-dome and corresponding 60W basking light, as well as a Reptisun 5.0 UVB compact bulb. However, last night I purchased an Exo Terra Reptile UVB 150, as recommended by a clerk at Petco. After the research done today, I now know what a big mistake I have made due to my ignorance. Soon after the replacement, the symptoms mentioned above began to present themselves, though not as critical as today.
Again, please help + advice me on a solution. The UVB bulb has been off for a few hours and I'm weighing my options. Currently looking at a Reptisun 10.0 with a corresponding fixture (over the screen) but I don't want to make any deciscions until I have been properly adviced by this community. I really hope there's an easy solution, I'm very stressed (though maybe not as much as my beardie) at the moment, and very confused... Things were going great, he was just beginning to eat out of my hands.
I am so incredibly concerned that I might have done something to disturb its well-being as its behavior has completely changed. 'Mence has eaten two crickets today, usually 15-20 would have already been consumed by now. Its eyes are swollen and have been closed for most of the day. There's been a lack of bowel movements since the light replacement; abdomen is bigger than usual. What's also worrisome is the fact that it hasn't moved much, 6 hours have been spent on his basking area in a weird lethargic state. I should mention that he's been excessively skittish, even a look in its direction will put it in the "alert" stance. Also, no change in color/dullness.
I've been reading forums on this site all day long looking for answers. Please help me, I feel so guilty for any harm I might have caused it.
The habitat is a 20 gallon long with eco-carpet. 90-100 in the basking corner, 70-80 in the cool side (temps according to a digital thermometer). The enclosure came with a dual-dome and corresponding 60W basking light, as well as a Reptisun 5.0 UVB compact bulb. However, last night I purchased an Exo Terra Reptile UVB 150, as recommended by a clerk at Petco. After the research done today, I now know what a big mistake I have made due to my ignorance. Soon after the replacement, the symptoms mentioned above began to present themselves, though not as critical as today.
Again, please help + advice me on a solution. The UVB bulb has been off for a few hours and I'm weighing my options. Currently looking at a Reptisun 10.0 with a corresponding fixture (over the screen) but I don't want to make any deciscions until I have been properly adviced by this community. I really hope there's an easy solution, I'm very stressed (though maybe not as much as my beardie) at the moment, and very confused... Things were going great, he was just beginning to eat out of my hands.