First Time Beardie Mom!

[Jess&Elliot]

So I stumbled onto a little Beardie this past week. I accompanied my brother to Petsmart for an upgraded enclosure for his gecko on Black Friday. While he was mulling over his options I started looking around at the reptiles. When I got to the Bearded Dragons I noticed there was one laying on the colder side of the tank and I honestly thought it was dead. I found an associate and let them know what I saw. When she pulled him out he opened his eyes but his leg was just hanging and he also had some tail rot going on. She called her manager over to see what she should do and the manager looked at him for a second turned to me and said, “you can have him for free if you want.” I was a little taken aback by how they were just going to give this obviously sick Bearded Dragon just away to anyone. I’ve never been much of a reptile enthusiast but since I work at a vet clinic I knew if this guy had a chance and wasn’t too far gone that I could help him. So $350 dollars later I headed home with the little guy. I took him into work first thing the next day. He weighted 3 grams, was severely dehydrated/starved, had tail rot, and had a very bruised arm that he wasn’t moving. My vet didn’t think the leg was broken but possible dislocated. He wanted me to give it a week and to see if he could recover on his own before we took any drastic measures with the leg. The Beardie wasn’t eating so for the time being it looked like I was going to be doing syringe feedings.
Now a week later the rotted part of his tail has fallen off and it’s healing nicely. The bruising in the arm is almost gone and he’s almost completely using it. He’s doing very well on the syringe feedings but unfortunately still won’t eat anything else on his own. So that’s what we are working on currently. He has gained 4g so now he’s officially to 7g. I’m still waiting on the results of his fecal that I had sent out to make sure there are no parasites.
I’ve finally decorated his tank instead of keeping it bare because I was worried about him not being able to get around. He’s also finally gotten a name since he seems to have turned the corner So say hi to Elliot.
I look forward to getting as much advice and help to the millions of questions I’m bound to have. There’s so much conflicting information out there so I’m glad I found a platform where I can get some support.
Jess

 

[KarrieRee]

So I stumbled onto a little Beardie this past week. I accompanied my brother to Petsmart for an upgraded enclosure for his gecko on Black Friday. While he was mulling over his options I started looking around at the reptiles. When I got to the Bearded Dragons I noticed there was one laying on the colder side of the tank and I honestly thought it was dead. I found an associate and let them know what I saw. When she pulled him out he opened his eyes but his leg was just hanging and he also had some tail rot going on. She called her manager over to see what she should do and the manager looked at him for a second turned to me and said, “you can have him for free if you want.” I was a little taken aback by how they were just going to give this obviously sick Bearded Dragon just away to anyone. I’ve never been much of a reptile enthusiast but since I work at a vet clinic I knew if this guy had a chance and wasn’t too far gone that I could help him. So $350 dollars later I headed home with the little guy. I took him into work first thing the next day. He weighted 3 grams, was severely dehydrated/starved, had tail rot, and had a very bruised arm that he wasn’t moving. My vet didn’t think the leg was broken but possible dislocated. He wanted me to give it a week and to see if he could recover on his own before we took any drastic measures with the leg. The Beardie wasn’t eating so for the time being it looked like I was going to be doing syringe feedings.
Now a week later the rotted part of his tail has fallen off and it’s healing nicely. The bruising in the arm is almost gone and he’s almost completely using it. He’s doing very well on the syringe feedings but unfortunately still won’t eat anything else on his own. So that’s what we are working on currently. He has gained 4g so now he’s officially to 7g. I’m still waiting on the results of his fecal that I had sent out to make sure there are no parasites.
I’ve finally decorated his tank instead of keeping it bare because I was worried about him not being able to get around. He’s also finally gotten a name since he seems to have turned the corner So say hi to Elliot.
I look forward to getting as much advice and help to the millions of questions I’m bound to have. There’s so much conflicting information out there so I’m glad I found a platform where I can get some support.
Jess

Bless you for taking him your tank looks great but please tell me what uvb bulb your using? Is it a reptisun 10.0 T 8 or T 5? This is crucial for placement and distance of those bulbs- basking temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- no stickons you want actual surface temps 105-110-

 

[Jess&Elliot]

Bless you for taking him your tank looks great but please tell me what uvb bulb your using? Is it a reptisun 10.0 T 8 or T 5? This is crucial for placement and distance of those bulbs- basking temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- no stickons you want actual surface temps 105-110-

It’s a reptisun 10.0 T 8 and I’m using a ceramic 150 for heat. I have the stick one that I’ve put on the bottom because they came with the tank but I also have a heat gun that I’ve been using. When I put it to his basking area it fluctuates between 108-112.

 

[KarrieRee]

It’s a reptisun 10.0 T 8 and I’m using a ceramic 150 for heat. I have the stick one that I’ve put on the bottom because they came with the tank but I also have a heat gun that I’ve been using. When I put it to his basking area it fluctuates between 108-112.

Ok your T 8 needs to be unobstructed--- NO screen its not strong enough to go thru screen so if you can take it off and get a piece of decor directly under it 6-8 inches this is extremely important --- your IR gun is good but please get 2 digital probe thermometers for the tank one for the cool side 80's during the day and nothing below 65 at nite --- the other one put on your basking side place where he sits for basking 10 min or so it does not need to stay there spot check every 10 days or so --- the IR gun does not read off of hammocks or certain decor materials and probes are more accurate - 108 is good but 112 is too high -- but get your probe and check first before doing anything --
He needs a CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense bulb NO Infrared NO colored bulbs NO off white bulbs and NO daytime bulbs --- you want a bulb that will keep temps 105-110 for him /her he needs the UV that the white bulb has CHE's are good for temps at nite if the tank is falling below 65 but they are not good for basking please get one ASAP--- he wont live w/ out it -------------

 

[Jess&Elliot]

Ok your T 8 needs to be unobstructed--- NO screen its not strong enough to go thru screen so if you can take it off and get a piece of decor directly under it 6-8 inches this is extremely important --- your IR gun is good but please get 2 digital probe thermometers for the tank one for the cool side 80's during the day and nothing below 65 at nite --- the other one put on your basking side place where he sits for basking 10 min or so it does not need to stay there spot check every 10 days or so --- the IR gun does not read off of hammocks or certain decor materials and probes are more accurate - 108 is good but 112 is too high -- but get your probe and check first before doing anything --
He needs a CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense bulb NO Infrared NO colored bulbs NO off white bulbs and NO daytime bulbs --- you want a bulb that will keep temps 105-110 for him /her he needs the UV that the white bulb has CHE's are good for temps at nite if the tank is falling below 65 but they are not good for basking please get one ASAP--- he wont live w/ out it -------------

Sorry for the late response. I ordered two probe thermometers that should be here in two days. I’ll go and get a bulb tomorrow. What strength should I get for a 40 gallon? 18 inches from top to bottom.

 

[KarrieRee]

Sorry for the late response. I ordered two probe thermometers that should be here in two days. I’ll go and get a bulb tomorrow. What strength should I get for a 40 gallon? 18 inches from top to bottom.

Exo Terra Intense basking looks like this start w/ a 100 watt NO INFRARED those are a colored bulb

Exo Terra® Intense Basking Spot Light | reptile Bulbs & Lamps | PetSmart

Exo Terra® Intense Basking Spot Light at PetSmart. Shop all reptile bulbs & lamps online

www.petsmart.com

If they are out you can get this one

Zoo Med Reptile Value Pack Basking Spot Lamp | reptile Bulbs & Lamps | PetSmart

Zoo Med Reptile Value Pack Basking Spot Lamp at PetSmart. Shop all reptile bulbs & lamps online

www.petsmart.com

again 100 watt --- please make sure your using the digital probe thermometer placed on the spot where she sits to bask wait 10 min or so then get the temp --- you do not want to burn her up that is why you MUST have that probe
If your not getting the temp you need it to be take the bulb back and get a 150 watt -- 105-110 are the temps you need
So you might want to get one 100 watt and one 150 watt - take the one back thats not getting that temp

 

[Jess&Elliot]

Exo Terra Intense basking looks like this start w/ a 100 watt NO INFRARED those are a colored bulb

Exo Terra® Intense Basking Spot Light | reptile Bulbs & Lamps | PetSmart

Exo Terra® Intense Basking Spot Light at PetSmart. Shop all reptile bulbs & lamps online

www.petsmart.com

If they are out you can get this one

Zoo Med Reptile Value Pack Basking Spot Lamp | reptile Bulbs & Lamps | PetSmart

Zoo Med Reptile Value Pack Basking Spot Lamp at PetSmart. Shop all reptile bulbs & lamps online

www.petsmart.com

again 100 watt --- please make sure your using the digital probe thermometer placed on the spot where she sits to bask wait 10 min or so then get the temp --- you do not want to burn her up that is why you MUST have that probe
If your not getting the temp you need it to be take the bulb back and get a 150 watt -- 105-110 are the temps you need
So you might want to get one 100 watt and one 150 watt - take the one back thats not getting that temp

Alrighty

 

[Jess&Elliot]

Okay! I finally figured out a way to install the reptisun hood inside the terrarium and it’s over about 8 inches away from the basking spot. I bought both 100w and 150w basking bulb. Right now the 100w is in and we will see if it keeps the tank warm enough. One of the thermometers with probe came in so I have it set up by Elliot’s favorite basking spot. As soon as the second one rolls in I’ll get it into the cool side. I did buy a new dome for the CHE that has a dimmer so I can set it at a low intensity if I need a little bit of heat. This whole experience has been exhausting but I hope this will help get the little dude to 100%. Thanks for all your help!

 

[KarrieRee]

Okay! I finally figured out a way to install the reptisun hood inside the terrarium and it’s over about 8 inches away from the basking spot. I bought both 100w and 150w basking bulb. Right now the 100w is in and we will see if it keeps the tank warm enough. One of the thermometers with probe came in so I have it set up by Elliot’s favorite basking spot. As soon as the second one rolls in I’ll get it into the cool side. I did buy a new dome for the CHE that has a dimmer so I can set it at a low intensity if I need a little bit of heat. This whole experience has been exhausting but I hope this will help get the little dude to 100%. Thanks for all your help!

Ok good let me know how it goes and watch his behavior

 

[Jess&Elliot]

Ok good let me know how it goes and watch his behavior

Okay so update on the little girl/guy. So First I’ll start with the lighting situation. For UVB I’m using the Reptisun T8 10.0 and it’s installed inside the terrarium. It’s approximately 7 inches from the basking spot. The dome on top is a basking bulb 150w. I have the basking spot measuring in at 108 degrees with the digital thermometer with probe and the cool side measuring in at 84 degrees during the day. At night everything turns off and cage temps are between 71-72 degrees.
As for behavior he’s pretty active. He loves to climb into the vines and flowers at night and sleeps like that every night and comes out a few minutes after lights go on. His leg is 100% healed thank goodness. Now what I’m struggling with is feeding the little dude. Crickets are an absolute no. I’ve tried feeding in separate containers and tong feeding and both are no goes. The only thing he will take from me is Waxworms but they are so big it worries me feeding them. Elliot is just still so small. They aren’t really growing much at all. I finally caved and purchased some Dubia Roaches. He will average around 2-4 roaches A DAY. Which from what I read is not nearly enough. I do dust them in calcium powder. I can’t get him to eat veggies to save my life. I’ve tried a little of everything. I even tried a bearded dragon salad dressing . I stopped syringe feeding the chicken baby food but then he started to become lethargic so after two days I started up again. I ended up getting chicken with peas and carrots so maybe that gives him some kind of balance. I usually give him a 1ml syringe in the AM and PM. Then I put the Dubia Roaches in a ceramic bowl so they can eat them as often as they want.
I just feel like he’s not doing bad but not doing good. He’s in a bit of a limbo of having energy but not having a big appetite. He’s staying consistently at 6 grams with the food scale I’ve purchased. Im also bathing them every other day. Handling is going well they don’t seem bothered at all when I reach for them and pick up for syringe feeding. I do not take them out to hold besides the syringe feedings because he’s just so small and I don’t want to stress them out.
Anyways I’m just at a loss right now and would appreciate any advice on if I should be doing something differently or just to keep chugging along. Thanks so much!

 

[KarrieRee]

Okay so update on the little girl/guy. So First I’ll start with the lighting situation. For UVB I’m using the Reptisun T8 10.0 and it’s installed inside the terrarium. It’s approximately 7 inches from the basking spot. The dome on top is a basking bulb 150w. I have the basking spot measuring in at 108 degrees with the digital thermometer with probe and the cool side measuring in at 84 degrees during the day. At night everything turns off and cage temps are between 71-72 degrees.
As for behavior he’s pretty active. He loves to climb into the vines and flowers at night and sleeps like that every night and comes out a few minutes after lights go on. His leg is 100% healed thank goodness. Now what I’m struggling with is feeding the little dude. Crickets are an absolute no. I’ve tried feeding in separate containers and tong feeding and both are no goes. The only thing he will take from me is Waxworms but they are so big it worries me feeding them. Elliot is just still so small. They aren’t really growing much at all. I finally caved and purchased some Dubia Roaches. He will average around 2-4 roaches A DAY. Which from what I read is not nearly enough. I do dust them in calcium powder. I can’t get him to eat veggies to save my life. I’ve tried a little of everything. I even tried a bearded dragon salad dressing . I stopped syringe feeding the chicken baby food but then he started to become lethargic so after two days I started up again. I ended up getting chicken with peas and carrots so maybe that gives him some kind of balance. I usually give him a 1ml syringe in the AM and PM. Then I put the Dubia Roaches in a ceramic bowl so they can eat them as often as they want.
I just feel like he’s not doing bad but not doing good. He’s in a bit of a limbo of having energy but not having a big appetite. He’s staying consistently at 6 grams with the food scale I’ve purchased. Im also bathing them every other day. Handling is going well they don’t seem bothered at all when I reach for them and pick up for syringe feeding. I do not take them out to hold besides the syringe feedings because he’s just so small and I don’t want to stress them out.
Anyways I’m just at a loss right now and would appreciate any advice on if I should be doing something differently or just to keep chugging along. Thanks so much!

Beautiful tank -- lighting is how you want it -- perfect-- now order him some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com -- order medium size for now do not dust them -- you will need a bowl similar to this to keep the roaches in and the BSFL -- Amazon.com does the bowl your using now keep the roaches in? Use the BSFL to feed on top of his salads first thing in the morning Nutrition Content ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder- hand feed a couple of the BSFL so he gets used to you start hand taming him -- how big are the roaches your feeding do not feed anything bigger than the space between his eyes length wise --- hold off on bathing as often they do not need baths that often once a week is good-- is he drinking from the bath? NO more wax worms they are really fatty--- get him some small supers next time you order roaches if you can add them to the tops of his salads 1-3 every other day another good lure to the salad bowl --- please start dusting the insects 2 x per week w/ vitamins w/ beta carotene - ONCE per feeding lightly coated the calcium w/ D3 5 x per week ONCE per feeding lightly coated -- feed as many as you want w/ the BSFL they are a great staple feeder drop them on his salads in front of him so it gets his attention feed the roaches about a hr later after hes had time to eat the BSFL and some of his salad you want him eating some of it it now --- his main diet at this time is the insects when he turns a year old it will reverse

 

[Jess&Elliot]

Beautiful tank -- lighting is how you want it -- perfect-- now order him some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com -- order medium size for now do not dust them -- you will need a bowl similar to this to keep the roaches in and the BSFL -- Amazon.com does the bowl your using now keep the roaches in? Use the BSFL to feed on top of his salads first thing in the morning Nutrition Content ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder- hand feed a couple of the BSFL so he gets used to you start hand taming him -- how big are the roaches your feeding do not feed anything bigger than the space between his eyes length wise --- hold off on bathing as often they do not need baths that often once a week is good-- is he drinking from the bath? NO more wax worms they are really fatty--- get him some small supers next time you order roaches if you can add them to the tops of his salads 1-3 every other day another good lure to the salad bowl --- please start dusting the insects 2 x per week w/ vitamins w/ beta carotene - ONCE per feeding lightly coated the calcium w/ D3 5 x per week ONCE per feeding lightly coated -- feed as many as you want w/ the BSFL they are a great staple feeder drop them on his salads in front of him so it gets his attention feed the roaches about a hr later after hes had time to eat the BSFL and some of his salad you want him eating some of it it now --- his main diet at this time is the insects when he turns a year old it will reverse

Okay I just ordered the BSFL and those bowls are GENUIS ordered one of those too! The bowl I have works 90% of the time but I still get paranoid and check the cage when I get home from work. I’ve never once seen him ever drink so I mostly bath him because I read that they can hydrate through their vent. How many of those BSFL should a healthy baby be eating in a day? Should I just forget about the Dubias for now and feed them exclusively? The dubias are size x small that I’m giving and they are about the size between his eyes. I’ve been mainly feeding Kale, cabbage, and carrots. All cut in super tiny pieces.

 

[KarrieRee]

Okay I just ordered the BSFL and those bowls are GENUIS ordered one of those too! The bowl I have works 90% of the time but I still get paranoid and check the cage when I get home from work. I’ve never once seen him ever drink so I mostly bath him because I read that they can hydrate through their vent. How many of those BSFL should a healthy baby be eating in a day? Should I just forget about the Dubias for now and feed them exclusively? The dubias are size x small that I’m giving and they are about the size between his eyes. I’ve been mainly feeding Kale, cabbage, and carrots. All cut in super tiny pieces.

please no more cabbage --- kale is good - do not feed the dragon carrots if your feeding the dubias too --- I would add the BSFL as a compliment to the dubias feed both -- if your going to feed the BSFL only your going to be feeding alot of them -- like 100 at a time - they are so small and hes gonna be eating alot of them so I fed them to Blaze in the morning usually around 20 or so of them and the main staple was the dubias but I also changed it up w/ him I fed him silk worms too I have another dragon was feeding both of them silks and dubias and Blaze got all kinds of variety not all at one time but when I had the worms in the house like supers and horn worms as well I havent fed silks for a while but they are both getting dubias horn and super worms now -- Blaze eventually outgrew the BSFL and Hiccup would never eat them anyways -- they wont eat meal worms or wax worms - if your getting the BSFL in his poop undigested its going to be because hes eating them to fast -- so watch for that if that happens dont feed so many at one time just keep adding to the bowl as he eats them -- then you can count how many he is eating ---

 

[Jess&Elliot]

please no more cabbage --- kale is good - do not feed the dragon carrots if your feeding the dubias too --- I would add the BSFL as a compliment to the dubias feed both -- if your going to feed the BSFL only your going to be feeding alot of them -- like 100 at a time - they are so small and hes gonna be eating alot of them so I fed them to Blaze in the morning usually around 20 or so of them and the main staple was the dubias but I also changed it up w/ him I fed him silk worms too I have another dragon was feeding both of them silks and dubias and Blaze got all kinds of variety not all at one time but when I had the worms in the house like supers and horn worms as well I havent fed silks for a while but they are both getting dubias horn and super worms now -- Blaze eventually outgrew the BSFL and Hiccup would never eat them anyways -- they wont eat meal worms or wax worms - if your getting the BSFL in his poop undigested its going to be because hes eating them to fast -- so watch for that if that happens dont feed so many at one time just keep adding to the bowl as he eats them -- then you can count how many he is eating ---

Okay still waiting for my BSFL order. Just got a notification that it shipped out. Got the bowl in and filed it with a ton of dubias while I was away at work and when I got home he had eaten absolutely all of them! I’m so excited! He looks absolutely gorged. I’ve never seen him with such a chubby tummy.