Head Shaking

[DavidNKevin]

Hi, So I'm new to having a bearded dragon and gave had him for a month, I got him from a teacher who couldn't take care of him anymore and she told me he doesnt like eating his vegetables so we just feed him the super worms with calcium and d3 powder, but he does this really weird head shaking, after hes done eating or just randomly he will start shaking his, I'm not sure if I should be worried or not...

Also we have gotten him to eat some fruits like blueberries and raspberries

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi, So I'm new to having a bearded dragon and gave had him for a month, I got him from a teacher who couldn't take care of him anymore and she told me he doesnt like eating his vegetables so we just feed him the super worms with calcium and d3 powder, but he does this really weird head shaking, after hes done eating or just randomly he will start shaking his, I'm not sure if I should be worried or not...

Also we have gotten him to eat some fruits like blueberries and raspberries

The head shaking is not good -- please NO more super worms they are not a staple feeder -- they are a treat feeder --- you need a staple like dubia roaches I recommend those crickets BSFL or silk worms --- he should be eating salads we can start w/ getting some BSFL to lure him to the salad bowl -- but first we need to go over his UVB--- coil or tube fixture where in the tank is it if your using a tube fixture on top of screen or inside the tank? What bulb is it a T 5 or a T 8 for a long tube look on the tube itself it will tell you brand and bulb --- Basking temps how are you taking them they need to be surface temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- temps should be 95-100 for adult/ juvie and 105-110 for a baby -- the probe needs to sit where he sits for basking 10 min then get the temp - there should be NO colored bulbs NO infrared basking bulbs -- NO daytime bulbs -- you need a CLEAR bright white basking bulb example like a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb or a Zoo Med Repti basking bulb

 

[DavidNKevin]

The head shaking is not good -- please NO more super worms they are not a staple feeder -- they are a treat feeder --- you need a staple like dubia roaches I recommend those crickets BSFL or silk worms --- he should be eating salads we can start w/ getting some BSFL to lure him to the salad bowl -- but first we need to go over his UVB--- coil or tube fixture where in the tank is it if your using a tube fixture on top of screen or inside the tank? What bulb is it a T 5 or a T 8 for a long tube look on the tube itself it will tell you brand and bulb --- Basking temps how are you taking them they need to be surface temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- temps should be 95-100 for adult/ juvie and 105-110 for a baby -- the probe needs to sit where he sits for basking 10 min then get the temp - there should be NO colored bulbs NO infrared basking bulbs -- NO daytime bulbs -- you need a CLEAR bright white basking bulb example like a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb or a Zoo Med Repti basking bulb

So hes already 5 years old, I just got him though, he came with everything they had for him, I gave his basking light and side along with his rock, the uvb side aswell, and then a ceramic heat emitter for night as it can get pretty cold at night, his tank is always around 95-100 during the day

I have been told that the head twitching is either him trying to mate (his reflection) or he is uncomfortable but I thought I'd just come here and ask, it happens randomly like 2 or 3 quick twitches or sometimes after he eats...

 

[KarrieRee]

So hes already 5 years old, I just got him though, he came with everything they had for him, I gave his basking light and side along with his rock, the uvb side aswell, and then a ceramic heat emitter for night as it can get pretty cold at night, his tank is always around 95-100 during the day

I have been told that the head twitching is either him trying to mate (his reflection) or he is uncomfortable but I thought I'd just come here and ask, it happens randomly like 2 or 3 quick twitches or sometimes after he eats...

Twitching could be a sign of MBD -- its not good - twitching is not a sign of mating head bobbing and waving are -- he might a have black beard for being in distress or pain or he has seen another dragon or reflection ---- please tell me what your using for a UVB if its a coil that needs to be replaced ASAP they are inadequate --- the head twitching is going to get worse --- NO colored bulbs NO daytime bulbs NO Infrared bulbs -- he needs a CLEAR bright white basking bulb that keeps temps 95-100 taken w/a digital probe thermometer -- these things I am asking about are crucial to his everall health and behavior --

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Can you review your tank setup with us, such as the type/brand of UVB, the distances of the UVB from him when basking & what type
of thermometer used to measure his temperatures with. If you can post some pictures of your boy, along with the tank setup just so we
can see his environment.
How often do you give calcium with D3? Do you have calcium without D3 also?

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[DavidNKevin]

Hello,

Can you review your tank setup with us, such as the type/brand of UVB, the distances of the UVB from him when basking & what type
of thermometer used to measure his temperatures with. If you can post some pictures of your boy, along with the tank setup just so we
can see his environment.
How often do you give calcium with D3? Do you have calcium without D3 also?

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

Hello!!

So we give him the calcium with all his worms, and mixed in his water and we do without D3 once a week

I'm not sure of the lights because I got them all from his previous owners and they are the same types of ones they have been using for years

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello!!

So we give him the calcium with all his worms, and mixed in his water and we do without D3 once a week View attachment 66090 View attachment 66091

I'm not sure of the lights because I got them all from his previous owners and they are the same types of ones they have been using for years

Where is the UVB? In one of those domes? If so you need to replace it ASAP--- coils are inadequate unless your using a MVB and then you would need another long tube fixture to supplement the UVB--- w / the twitching going on and lack of UVB it will continue to get worse -- I would also look at upgrading the tank to a 75 or 120 gallon tank --- the bowl in the tank is used for food / water? Its taking up alot of floor space and I would recommend getting something smaller or taking it out all together -- UVB's need to be changed out every 6 months for a T 8 and once a year for a T 5 those are long tube fixtures and I recommend a T 5 ---

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thanks for posting the pictures. It's hard to tell since he is in his bath, but are his ankles a bit swollen or his right hand a
little swollen or preshed? The water makes it hard to determine that.
How long have you had the lights?
As Karrie suggested, if you are using a compact/coil or spiral type of UVB, it is highly recommended to upgrade to a long tube
bulb, or a good MVB or the combination of them.
Also, I would also recommend giving just plain calcium the majority of the time & only using D3 1 or 2 times weekly. It can buildup
in the system & sometimes become toxic if given in excess.
How is he doing today?
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[DavidNKevin]

Hello,

Thanks for posting the pictures. It's hard to tell since he is in his bath, but are his ankles a bit swollen or his right hand a
little swollen or preshed? The water makes it hard to determine that.
How long have you had the lights?
As Karrie suggested, if you are using a compact/coil or spiral type of UVB, it is highly recommended to upgrade to a long tube
bulb, or a good MVB or the combination of them.
Also, I would also recommend giving just plain calcium the majority of the time & only using D3 1 or 2 times weekly. It can buildup
in the system & sometimes become toxic if given in excess.
How is he doing today?
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

Hi, so Kevin seems to be doing better now, I have been making sure he is getting enough of the stuff he needs and are working on trying diffrent veggies, he doesn't like lettuce so any recommendations and insects, should I take out his water, usually he drinks a bit because he doesnt really eat many veggies since his old owners had him for five years, they said his head twitching is just because hes not comfortable with the situation and it's also to show me he is done eating and moving he has had lighting like this his whole life and I have been told by many people that it is fine... here are some pics of him thanks for the help

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi, so Kevin seems to be doing better now, I have been making sure he is getting enough of the stuff he needs and are working on trying diffrent veggies, he doesn't like lettuce so any recommendations and insects, should I take out his water, usually he drinks a bit because he doesnt really eat many veggies since his old owners had him for five years, they said his head twitching is just because hes not comfortable with the situation and it's also to show me he is done eating and moving he has had lighting like this his whole life and I have been told by many people that it is fine... here are some pics of him thanks for the help

please no more lettuce unless its romaine - ice berg lettuce has no nutritional value - Nutrition Content
ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder -- if hes drinking from the water dish please leave it in there but I would downsize it for more room in the tank - unless its really raising the humidity level - nothing over 70% --- please get rid of the coil -- its not doing Kevin any good this is why the head is twitching and it will continue to get worse -- please replace w/ a long tube fixture 24" Zoo Med this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb keep as a back up distance and placement is different from the 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 of which you need
or this one a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ 12% bulb or this one a
Sunblaster Nano Tech 6400

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO - Hight Output Linear Lamp for desert reptile terrariums. Shop all lighting supplies at Pangea Reptile

www.pangeareptile.com

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp 24" or 2 ft
this UVB is imperative to Kevins health -- if your using a MVB what brand and bub please --- look on the bulb it will tell you
UVB's and MVB's expire if they are years old your dragon is getting no UVB at all especially w/ a coil --- MVB's need to be replaced every 6 months they are good for heat but the UVB's expire -- your dragon looks sick --- I would get this changed out ASAP---- please post back on here when you get it I can help you get it placed in the tank its going to depend on the screen but w/ him being w/ out UVB for so long I am thinking its going to need to go in the tank for best effectiveness --- do this NOW I am afraid the head shaking is going to get worse its not normal for him to do this

 

[DavidNKevin]

please no more lettuce unless its romaine - ice berg lettuce has no nutritional value - Nutrition Content
ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder -- if hes drinking from the water dish please leave it in there but I would downsize it for more room in the tank - unless its really raising the humidity level - nothing over 70% --- please get rid of the coil -- its not doing Kevin any good this is why the head is twitching and it will continue to get worse -- please replace w/ a long tube fixture 24" Zoo Med this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb keep as a back up distance and placement is different from the 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 of which you need
or this one a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ 12% bulb or this one a
Sunblaster Nano Tech 6400

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO - Hight Output Linear Lamp for desert reptile terrariums. Shop all lighting supplies at Pangea Reptile

www.pangeareptile.com

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp 24" or 2 ft
this UVB is imperative to Kevins health -- if your using a MVB what brand and bub please --- look on the bulb it will tell you
UVB's and MVB's expire if they are years old your dragon is getting no UVB at all especially w/ a coil --- MVB's need to be replaced every 6 months they are good for heat but the UVB's expire -- your dragon looks sick --- I would get this changed out ASAP---- please post back on here when you get it I can help you get it placed in the tank its going to depend on the screen but w/ him being w/ out UVB for so long I am thinking its going to need to go in the tank for best effectiveness --- do this NOW I am afraid the head shaking is going to get worse its not normal

 

[DavidNKevin]

So I think I'm going to buy the

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

for now, would that be ok just that or do I need to buy a different bulb, which one out of the 4 you sent do you recommend I Just replace the UVB in his tank while I wait and put it over the main spot he stays

I'm not good with lightning so does the one I sent come with the light and if so is it a good one

the water he likes to chill in it and also I had a smaller bowl but he just spills it all the time as well as humidity because it is not very humid where I am.

 

[KarrieRee]

So I think I'm going to buy the

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

for now, would that be ok just that or do I need to buy a different bulb, which one out of the 4 you sent do you recommend I Just replace the UVB in his tank while I wait and put it over the main spot he stays

I'm not good with lightning so does the one I sent come with the light and if so is it a good one

the water he likes to chill in it and also I had a smaller bowl but he just spills it all the time as well as humidity because it is not very humid where I am.

Good choice-- what are you using for a basking bulb? Brand and wattage please

 

[DavidNKevin]

please no more lettuce unless its romaine - ice berg lettuce has no nutritional value - Nutrition Content
ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder -- if hes drinking from the water dish please leave it in there but I would downsize it for more room in the tank - unless its really raising the humidity level - nothing over 70% --- please get rid of the coil -- its not doing Kevin any good this is why the head is twitching and it will continue to get worse -- please replace w/ a long tube fixture 24" Zoo Med this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb keep as a back up distance and placement is different from the 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 of which you need
or this one a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ 12% bulb or this one a
Sunblaster Nano Tech 6400

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO - Hight Output Linear Lamp for desert reptile terrariums. Shop all lighting supplies at Pangea Reptile

www.pangeareptile.com

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp 24" or 2 ft
this UVB is imperative to Kevins health -- if your using a MVB what brand and bub please --- look on the bulb it will tell you
UVB's and MVB's expire if they are years old your dragon is getting no UVB at all especially w/ a coil --- MVB's need to be replaced every 6 months they are good for heat but the UVB's expire -- your dragon looks sick --- I would get this changed out ASAP---- please post back on here when you get it I can help you get it placed in the tank its going to depend on the screen but w/ him being w/ out UVB for so long I am thinking its going to need to go in the tank for best effectiveness --- do this NOW I am afraid the head shaking is going to get worse its not normal for him to do this

Also, I'm trying to figure out why this is just happening now, his old owners have had him for 5 years the same way and now all a sudden this is happening and I cant figure it out...

 

[KarrieRee]

Also, I'm trying to figure out why this is just happening now, his old owners have had him for 5 years the same way and now all a sudden this is happening and I cant figure it out...

Dragons will not show their illness due to instinct it has taken this long for it to become noticeable which is sad because it is getting almost too late for the MBD now --- some will show early like not walking is the most common stumbling or not being able to keep their balance --- if caught early enough it can be prevented from getting any worse but the longer you wait the more its going to progress ---- when you get the UVB please get it inside the tank directly above him approx 12-15 inches from the basking decor --- if you need help w/ hanging it I have some stuff that works really good --- let me know if you need it ---- good UVB properly placed is crucial for over all health -- good basking temps w/ a CLEAR bright white bulb is also crucial for digestion --