Can't figure out what's wrong

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felix27

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I have a 4-year-old beardie who has just doesn't seem to feel well. He has been on Flagyl per vet for trichamonas every two weeks, one dose left, but it's not helping. He had one good day last week, his color brightened and he was running all over, but turned out he just needed to poop. He eats very little, baby food from a syringe when I offer it, collard greens (that I grow organic) if I sneak them in his mouth, and super worms maybe once a week if I'm lucky. I'm going to get blood work done because the vet said other than the float/smear indicating trichamonas he is fine - heart/lungs are good, he is not losing weight, well-hydrated. He just seems almost depressed.

Nothing has changed in environment - 100 watt UVB light, basking spot 98-105 depending on what part of the logs he is on, cool side 80 with hide, ambient around 88, slate for substrate, take him out every day and I work from home so I actually sit next to his viv all day long while I type and he just looks at me. I just want him to feel better.

*edit - i just weighed him and he has actually gained a few grams - in April he weighed 517, June he was up to 562, July 575, August 16th he was 569 and today he is 573. Are their weights supposed to fluctuate that much? Especially without eating much? i guess he has been getting more the past few weeks with the baby food. And considering he doesn't move around much I guess he probably doesn't need too much for energy production, but still...maybe a thyroid issue? Do beardies have thyroids?

I started him on Bene-bac this week as well. His tummy does seem large considering the small amount he eats, and he only poops about every 7-10 days but he's always been that way since he hit adulthood. any input would be great!
 

MsCarter

Juvie Member
Glad to see you started a probiotic I think that will be very beneficial to him. It's recommended to use one anytime a Beardie is on medication dealing with the digestive tract. And since Flagyl is an antibiotic you really want to use a good probiotic to restore good bacteria back into his system. Did he behave this way prior to treatment? What is the brand of the UVB bulb you are using?

If you can obtain some bee pollen (it's great for all dragons but especially sick ones) you can mix this into the baby food when you feed him and also put a little on his veggies. It is good for restoring energy and provides a long list of vitamins and minerals. You can obtain this at beautiful dragon.co or from another vender as long as it is organic.
 

felix27

Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the info, I will order the bee pollen right now!

He is under a 100 watt Power Sun purchased last month. He did act this way prior to the medication which is why I took him to the vet to begin with...just seemed not himself for a few weeks and when he had a runny poo I took him to a weekend vet who had a reptile specialist there at certain times. his poops have been normal again but his behavior hasn't changed, or his appetite, yet he is still gaining weight.
 

MsCarter

Juvie Member
Ok power Suns are great for basking and uva but they do not provide UVB what so ever. UVB is the purplish blue light. I strongly suggest you purchase a reptisun 10.0 t5 tube style bulb asap. These are the very best UVB lights for these guys. Stay away from the coil style bulbs when ordering as they can cause eye infections. And many brands just aren't strong enough and can lead to MBD and other deficiencies. Reptisun 10.0 tube style is really the way to go. If he doesn't have any UVB source This could very well be the issue.
Try one of these out and see if your little guy doesn't perk up after a while
 

MsCarter

Juvie Member
My apologizes for my last post I wasn't thinking clearly. Your using a power sun that is a mvb correct? It's producing both uva and UVB in that case. There would be no need to order a reptisun. Disregard my last post (it's been a long night for me lol)

Try out the bee pollen and let us know how he takes to it. And if he's not losing weight that is a good sign
 

MsCarter

Juvie Member
Lol right after I hit the post button I was like "wait..." ? My bad. But anywho, Im wishing you and your little guy the best. Please post any future questions or concerns you may have. Hope he feels better soon
 
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