Lethargy and feeble attempts at eating. Vet is no help.

AHBD":1gksqd5o said:

Wow, you got a lot done for him very quickly ! That's great that he had 10 ml of the mixture, and the ratio you made up is fine. With the Powersun bulb, usually changing once a year id fine. Did you see the warranty card in the box ? Fill it out + send it in, that way if by chance the bulb burns out you contact the company [ Zoo Med ] and they send a new one. Keep lights on for 13-14 [ max ] hours. <<< I'd bump up the ON time to 15-16 hours , the extra warmth , UVA and UVB will do him good.

You will want a shorter basking log for him now, A large half log that acts as a basking + hide would be fine. If he climbs O.K and likes his old log you could put it back in but position the Powersun bulb over the lower area rather than the high spot. If he'll eat crickets, let him eat 5-6 a day at the most and offer greens every day. Mutlivitamin just 1-2 X a week, very lightly. Calcium should be without D3 now because of the new bulb, and only 3-4X a week very lightly. If he's not eating much you can put a very small pinch in the smoothie. Hopefully he'll perk up, but there's no telling exactly what his health problems are but these steps should help.

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kingofnobbys":ln1r1lhd said:

kyleena29":ln1r1lhd said:

MVB should be replaced every 9-12 months. You can keep the other light on top of the screen for added light as they like it bright. You want a ratio of 20% feeders and 80% veggies so I would give bugs 2-3 days a week and the rest of the time veggies. After he is better and starts being his old self that is.

The most common times I've heard is 12-14 daylight cycles. I do 14hrs.

Flukers should be ok.

When I give baby food I always did green beans or squash mixed with turkey or chicken. I added other supplements and I only added water if it was too thick. I let him lick it off his nose. But that's just how I do it. You can leave the log, maybe turn it in a way he can't get too close to the uvb and go ahead and put the hide in. If you feel he hides too much you can take it out.

You have the same vitamins I have now. It's good. I would just find vets in your area, call them and ask if they are pretty experienced with bearded dragons. I certainly wouldn't take him back if you're not happy with the vet.

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If he's having trouble swallowing you may have no option but to give his slurries and herpaboost type supplement by feeding syringe and crop needle see
https://www.petandgarden.com.au/hand-rearing-food/1480-vetafarm-crop-needles.html
There are video clips that demonstrate how to use a crop needle (similar for lizards but I'd get a vet or vet nurse to show you how to this safely to be sure you know how to do it for your beardie) , this way you get the food directly into the lizards stomache (BUT it's got be done gently).
These syringes are useful to give thick slurries https://www.petandgarden.com.au/bird-feeders-waterers/1525-reusable-feeding-syringes.html , the large bore hole allows easier feeding , these are designed for easy cleaning and thick slurries (Herpaboost is a thick slurry).

I don't think the Fluker's product will be good enough, your better options are
Oxbow Carnivore Care : http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1609
VetaFarm HerpaBoost (it is available in your country) : http://vetafarm.com/products/reptiles/herpaboost/
VetaFarm Crittacare : http://vetafarm.com/products/reptiles/crittacare-reptile/
Reptoboost : http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Reptoboost.aspx

These are all formulated by practicing vets specifically for reptiles who are sick or injured, can't say the same for the Fluker's junk.

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kyleena29":2a6txgof said:

I don't know if you ever said how old his previous uvb was. At least he still has an appetite. He either lacks energy or is in pain. It's hard to say. It sounds like you always provided calcium. Was he always getting vitamins? I would get him to new vet asap too. It sounds like you've been dealing with this for a while.

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tarantulahawk":k1bj9j92 said:

kingofnobbys":k1bj9j92 said:

kyleena29":k1bj9j92 said:

MVB should be replaced every 9-12 months. You can keep the other light on top of the screen for added light as they like it bright. You want a ratio of 20% feeders and 80% veggies so I would give bugs 2-3 days a week and the rest of the time veggies. After he is better and starts being his old self that is.

The most common times I've heard is 12-14 daylight cycles. I do 14hrs.

Flukers should be ok.

When I give baby food I always did green beans or squash mixed with turkey or chicken. I added other supplements and I only added water if it was too thick. I let him lick it off his nose. But that's just how I do it. You can leave the log, maybe turn it in a way he can't get too close to the uvb and go ahead and put the hide in. If you feel he hides too much you can take it out.

You have the same vitamins I have now. It's good. I would just find vets in your area, call them and ask if they are pretty experienced with bearded dragons. I certainly wouldn't take him back if you're not happy with the vet.

Click to expand...

If he's having trouble swallowing you may have no option but to give his slurries and herpaboost type supplement by feeding syringe and crop needle see
https://www.petandgarden.com.au/hand-rearing-food/1480-vetafarm-crop-needles.html
There are video clips that demonstrate how to use a crop needle (similar for lizards but I'd get a vet or vet nurse to show you how to this safely to be sure you know how to do it for your beardie) , this way you get the food directly into the lizards stomache (BUT it's got be done gently).
These syringes are useful to give thick slurries https://www.petandgarden.com.au/bird-feeders-waterers/1525-reusable-feeding-syringes.html , the large bore hole allows easier feeding , these are designed for easy cleaning and thick slurries (Herpaboost is a thick slurry).

I don't think the Fluker's product will be good enough, your better options are
Oxbow Carnivore Care : http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1609
VetaFarm HerpaBoost (it is available in your country) : http://vetafarm.com/products/reptiles/herpaboost/
VetaFarm Crittacare : http://vetafarm.com/products/reptiles/crittacare-reptile/
Reptoboost : http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Reptoboost.aspx

These are all formulated by practicing vets specifically for reptiles who are sick or injured, can't say the same for the Fluker's junk.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I will return the Flukers and order the other. He does not have trouble swallowing but he does lack the enthusiasm to eat and hunt.

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kyleena29":1gv00516 said:

Ok so he was dealing with no vitamins and just spinach for veggy. If say he was getting a variety of veggies he might of been fine. The vet may want to do a vitamin shot, not sure if they do it but be sure to mention it. So your uvb was not at least way out of date but the fact it was a T8 on top of a screen and not real close to him is another factor. The T8 need replacing after 6 months though. He may or may not of had adequate uvb. Did he try to climb up to the bulb or was he always too weak? Did he seem to perk up at all with the new lamp? I would mention this to the vet too. I would bring a fresh fecal sample if possible as well.

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kingofnobbys":26cl6egx said:

tarantulahawk":26cl6egx said:

kingofnobbys":26cl6egx said:

kyleena29":26cl6egx said:

MVB should be replaced every 9-12 months. You can keep the other light on top of the screen for added light as they like it bright. You want a ratio of 20% feeders and 80% veggies so I would give bugs 2-3 days a week and the rest of the time veggies. After he is better and starts being his old self that is.

The most common times I've heard is 12-14 daylight cycles. I do 14hrs.

Flukers should be ok.

When I give baby food I always did green beans or squash mixed with turkey or chicken. I added other supplements and I only added water if it was too thick. I let him lick it off his nose. But that's just how I do it. You can leave the log, maybe turn it in a way he can't get too close to the uvb and go ahead and put the hide in. If you feel he hides too much you can take it out.

You have the same vitamins I have now. It's good. I would just find vets in your area, call them and ask if they are pretty experienced with bearded dragons. I certainly wouldn't take him back if you're not happy with the vet.

Click to expand...

If he's having trouble swallowing you may have no option but to give his slurries and herpaboost type supplement by feeding syringe and crop needle see
https://www.petandgarden.com.au/hand-rearing-food/1480-vetafarm-crop-needles.html
There are video clips that demonstrate how to use a crop needle (similar for lizards but I'd get a vet or vet nurse to show you how to this safely to be sure you know how to do it for your beardie) , this way you get the food directly into the lizards stomache (BUT it's got be done gently).
These syringes are useful to give thick slurries https://www.petandgarden.com.au/bird-feeders-waterers/1525-reusable-feeding-syringes.html , the large bore hole allows easier feeding , these are designed for easy cleaning and thick slurries (Herpaboost is a thick slurry).

I don't think the Fluker's product will be good enough, your better options are
Oxbow Carnivore Care : http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1609
VetaFarm HerpaBoost (it is available in your country) : http://vetafarm.com/products/reptiles/herpaboost/
VetaFarm Crittacare : http://vetafarm.com/products/reptiles/crittacare-reptile/
Reptoboost : http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Reptoboost.aspx

These are all formulated by practicing vets specifically for reptiles who are sick or injured, can't say the same for the Fluker's junk.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I will return the Flukers and order the other. He does not have trouble swallowing but he does lack the enthusiasm to eat and hunt.

Click to expand...

Try a good vet , they will have some vet grade reptile boosting suppliments in stock.

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AHBD":2j3vtgxo said:

Ziggy, that's a cute name. Loads of info here, hard to keep up with suggestions. The slurries as you made them are good, the reason for extra water in ANY slurry is because of the fact that most older, ill dragons have some level of dehydration. A saggy beard CAN be a sign of some organ failure, usually kidney problems. The extra hydration is the key in these situations. You don't need any extra chicken or turkey in the mix. If he eats a few crickets a day from your fingers, that is more than enough protein. Try not to get overwhelmed, see how he does with these changes.

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AHBD":8t5b2ei0 said:

That's good to hear , him doing better. You have the Powersun bulb now, correct ? You can feed him dusted crickets, but without D3 now because of the new bulb. Offer greens if he'll take them, and lower the amount of crickets to just a few a day to hopefully spark interest in the greens. As he becomes more hydrated he may want less of the smoothie, but try to get some in him at least 2-3X a week .

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kyleena29":273npyhl said:

That's wonderful to hear! Ideally you want a hide at warm and cold end but you can put it on the cool end. I'm so glad he's doing better.

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