Please help! I think she's sick!

[DakotaClouds]

Hi there. My 30 year old step son who is living with us has a 6 year old bearded dragon and I think she's sick. I think she's been stick and nobody believes me and I don't know what else to do. He refuses to take her to the vet and I don't have the funds to do it (times are rough). She is gasping for air and you can hear her make noises so I believe she has a respiratory infection again. They didn't believe me the first time she had one and we took her to the vet and I paid, but the vet seems very unsure which didn't help my case. I have some pictures to show you. I think she's starving, dehydrated, probably on her way to MBD. He had a bulb in her tank and didn't change it for a year. Her tank is way too small and he says she doesn't need a 40 gallon. She's in a 20 which I got for her because he arrived with her in a 10. She's 21 inches long. On 1/7 she was 458 grams. Last night she weighed in at 416. He doesn't really feed her greens, and if he does, it's kale, so I made sure to buy mustard greens, endive, collard greens instead. I actually bought a bearded dragon because I liked her so much and I thought by him seeing how I treat mine, that he would step up. NO, he hasn't. When I tell him what I've read on what we should be doing is all wrong. She only eats super worms. Now she's not even eating much, as you can see by her poop. He bathes her when he remembers, so maybe every couple of weeks. I remember once I did because I felt so bad for her and she literally drank for over 6 minutes straight, I have a video of it. It was heartbreaking. She's completely deteriorated since he arrived her October 2019. My husband says I can do nothing because she's not mine. I can't stand by any longer and watch him kill her. So I need proof from someone that she's ill, neglected, something. Her fat pads don't exist. If you press on them, the barely raised bump where they would be pushes down like it's only a bubble of air. He doesn't time her lighting. It's turned on whenever and off whenever. The cage is cleaned whenever. It could be weeks. He thinks she's brumating. Clearly you can tell she is not. But I'm going off of what I'm reading. If she was wouldn't she be sleeping? He doesn't know to change the timing on the lights for brumation. Her poop is rust colored, she's completely dehydrated! You an see her ribs in the photos of her sides. HELP ME! He believes nothing I say. I just told my husband I'm on here looking for help, proof, something to prove to him killing her.

 

[DakotaClouds]

I havev UVB/UVA bulb. Never heard of MVB. I want to get these lights for them, but honestly, we're so stuck right now, I'm tapped on credit cards, and I'm worried about late car payments, credit card bills going over 30 days and being able to pay rent next month. My credit is all the good I have left at close to 800. It's going to suffer I think now. We've never been hit this hard. I interviewed last night and have one this afternoon. I'm praying. I just don't have the money. We've been doing Uber, but half goes back in gas. Thank you for all of the links. I will know what to get when we have money. We cleaned out out savings 7 months after his son arrived. That was 13k. He's wiped us dry. I stopped counting how much after that. At least he's alive because he almost died. I'm still bitter about all of it. It's just been a nightmare since 10/2020. Our entire honeymoon got ruined because he couldn't not drink while we were away. We have our hands full with him and doing whatever he wants. So believe me, I promise I'm doing what I can, we're just flat out of money. I'm sorry to spill the tea on my personal life.

 

[KarrieRee]

I havev UVB/UVA bulb. Never heard of MVB. I want to get these lights for them, but honestly, we're so stuck right now, I'm tapped on credit cards, and I'm worried about late car payments, credit card bills going over 30 days and being able to pay rent next month. My credit is all the good I have left at close to 800. It's going to suffer I think now. We've never been hit this hard. I interviewed last night and have one this afternoon. I'm praying. I just don't have the money. We've been doing Uber, but half goes back in gas. Thank you for all of the links. I will know what to get when we have money. We cleaned out out savings 7 months after his son arrived. That was 13k. He's wiped us dry. I stopped counting how much after that. At least he's alive because he almost died. I'm still bitter about all of it. It's just been a nightmare since 10/2020. Our entire honeymoon got ruined because he couldn't not drink while we were away. We have our hands full with him and doing whatever he wants. So believe me, I promise I'm doing what I can, we're just flat out of money. I'm sorry to spill the tea on my personal life.

I understand and I think there are alot of people going thru hard times and I dont think its going to get any better I am sorry to say -- your MVB you have needs to be a good one like a MegRay they are very good -- I am just saying -- it is better to have just a CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense bulb rather than a MVB you need to change them out every 6 months but w/ the basking bulb they can go a lot longer than that --- along w/ the UVB's I posted those bulbs dont need to be changed out but once a year and I recommend one month prior to --- look on craigslist or FM marketplace for the fixtures even if you get the other dragon or both Zoo Med 18" fixtures w / the 10.0 T 8 bulb is better than nothing ---

 

[DakotaClouds]

I understand and I think there are alot of people going thru hard times and I dont think its going to get any better I am sorry to say -- your MVB you have needs to be a good one like a MegRay they are very good -- I am just saying -- it is better to have just a CLEAR bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense bulb rather than a MVB you need to change them out every 6 months but w/ the basking bulb they can go a lot longer than that --- along w/ the UVB's I posted those bulbs dont need to be changed out but once a year and I recommend one month prior to --- look on craigslist or FM marketplace for the fixtures even if you get the other dragon or both Zoo Med 18" fixtures w / the 10.0 T 8 bulb is better than nothing ---

OH, I understand what you're saying now. Okay. I'm getting ready to go on a job interview right now. I'll research when I get home. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you.

 

[DakotaClouds]

What she needs is for you to step up for her. Tell your step son you are taking over care for her. This dragon needs a lot of changes to its environment if it is to stand a chance of survival. Enclosure size, lighting, heating, feeding it all needs to be brought up to par!

What your step son is doing is nothing short of animal abuse! That dragon needs a good quality UV light source. Without it not only her digestion, but her neurological system as well are going to be compromised amongst other things. The weight loss is just the first of a series of things this dragon is going to face soon if things don't change.

You need to stand up to the rest of your family and do something about the situation this animal is currently in!

She's in a 40 gallon now and I have a 100 watt Mega Ray MVB arriving on Saturday for her. Trying to schedule a vet appointment. The one I called on the list from the website provided to me above has a 2 week wait. I am going to search for another one. My husband notices some kind of mucus come out of her mouth earlier when she opened it. I hope there's still time. I'm just taking over for now. Hope the vet tells him what he's doing is all wrong and I hope he listens. I'm so angry that he still thinks we're being ridiculous and she's fine. I am also ordering two digital thermometer and hygrometer gauges for her. As soon as I have more money, I'll get her a food dish.

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[Badwolfe]

She's in a 40 gallon now and I have a 100 watt Mega Ray MVB arriving on Saturday for her. Trying to schedule a vet appointment. The one I called on the list from the website provided to me above has a 2 week wait. I am going to search for another one. My husband notices some kind of mucus come out of her mouth earlier when she opened it. I hope there's still time. I'm just taking over for now. Hope the vet tells him what he's doing is all wrong and I hope he listens. I'm so angry that he still thinks we're being ridiculous and she's fine. I am also ordering two digital thermometer and hygrometer gauges for her. As soon as I have more money, I'll get her a food dish.

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I wish you luck with her. Now you have taken over her care hopefully things will improve. Make sure your stepson speaks to the vet and if possible have a quiet word with the vet before they speak explaining how your step son is currently behaving so they can be extra strenuous in explaining what he's doing wrong and convince him that some of his beliefs are harming his pet.

 

[KarrieRee]

She's in a 40 gallon now and I have a 100 watt Mega Ray MVB arriving on Saturday for her. Trying to schedule a vet appointment. The one I called on the list from the website provided to me above has a 2 week wait. I am going to search for another one. My husband notices some kind of mucus come out of her mouth earlier when she opened it. I hope there's still time. I'm just taking over for now. Hope the vet tells him what he's doing is all wrong and I hope he listens. I'm so angry that he still thinks we're being ridiculous and she's fine. I am also ordering two digital thermometer and hygrometer gauges for her. As soon as I have more money, I'll get her a food dish.

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ok so w/ the Megaray coming I am going to post some distances and placement for it for you
the 100w version of the MegaRay should be at around 12'' or so without any screen in front of it. Using a screen top, they should be maybe 8-10'' away so when you get it go by the distances for w/ and w/ out the screen however you set it up - if you can get some pics of the inside of the mouth and post that would be great - mucus coming out of the mouth or nose wheezing mouth open rasping or clicking noise can be a sign of RI -- which would not surprise me beings shes had no UVB -- I recommend getting her another UVB as well when you can afford it but the sooner the better - most MVB's do not emit enough UVB but at least its better than nothing - I am going to suggest take the screen off the tank since screens block UVB and the more exposed the bulb is the better for her at this point -

 

[DakotaClouds]

ok so w/ the Megaray coming I am going to post some distances and placement for it for you
the 100w version of the MegaRay should be at around 12'' or so without any screen in front of it. Using a screen top, they should be maybe 8-10'' away so when you get it go by the distances for w/ and w/ out the screen however you set it up - if you can get some pics of the inside of the mouth and post that would be great - mucus coming out of the mouth or nose wheezing mouth open rasping or clicking noise can be a sign of RI -- which would not surprise me beings shes had no UVB -- I recommend getting her another UVB as well when you can afford it but the sooner the better - most MVB's do not emit enough UVB but at least its better than nothing - I am going to suggest take the screen off the tank since screens block UVB and the more exposed the bulb is the better for her at this point -

Thank you. We're supposed to be given an emergency appointment with the reptile veterinarian tomorrow. Because my parents have gone there for over 20 years, they are making an exception for us and getting us in sooner. My husband informed me of this today, as I had no idea they were doing this. I may be the only one able to take her, which is good/bad. Good because I can tell her the truth of what's been happening, but bad because if his son doesn't hear it himself he'll insist I'm exaggerating everything the vet says. So, that's a slight problem. I think I'm going to let her know this and ask if she can write everything down, somehow so I have proof. DH and I put some things inside the tank for her today so she can climb as she's not been able to before. She immediately went up the ramp to get closer to the light. Even though it's the old bulb, I hope she appreciates more room and being able to climb. DH went to feed her and wouldn't you know it, his son had no food for her, none. He was really upset. I had dubia roaches on hand for my BD, but she refused to eat, again. Gave her fresh salad, wouldn't eat. I'm sure it's because of the lack of UVB lighting. Poor baby. She sounds like she's coughing or sneezing. I am going to set up a little dripper to see if it will get her to drink. Stepson told us yesterday she drank a lot. Took everything in me not to say no kidding genius, she's dehydrated! That's what happens when you give her water once every week or two. I'll let you know how the vet visit goes. I'm praying my DH and I can save her. His son thinks we're crazy and nothings wrong. I bite my tongue.

 

[DakotaClouds]

ok so w/ the Megaray coming I am going to post some distances and placement for it for you
the 100w version of the MegaRay should be at around 12'' or so without any screen in front of it. Using a screen top, they should be maybe 8-10'' away so when you get it go by the distances for w/ and w/ out the screen however you set it up - if you can get some pics of the inside of the mouth and post that would be great - mucus coming out of the mouth or nose wheezing mouth open rasping or clicking noise can be a sign of RI -- which would not surprise me beings shes had no UVB -- I recommend getting her another UVB as well when you can afford it but the sooner the better - most MVB's do not emit enough UVB but at least its better than nothing - I am going to suggest take the screen off the tank since screens block UVB and the more exposed the bulb is the better for her at this point -

 

[KarrieRee]

It sounds like he has developed a RI-- that is going to require a X ray to see and if that is the case they will need to prescribe antibiotics ---- record the vet visit w/ what she is saying to you --- or having her write everything down is good too but if you can record that would be good - record on your phone the visit -- old bulb ? What bulb are you talking about - what exactly are you using now for lighting? the sooner he gets proper lighting the better ---

 

[DakotaClouds]

It sounds like he has developed a RI-- that is going to require a X ray to see and if that is the case they will need to prescribe antibiotics ---- record the vet visit w/ what she is saying to you --- or having her write everything down is good too but if you can record that would be good - record on your phone the visit -- old bulb ? What bulb are you talking about - what exactly are you using now for lighting? the sooner he gets proper lighting the better ---

Turns out my husband and his son are taking her. I hope he doesn't let him get away with lying about how she lives and how he cares for her like the last vet visit we had. I hope Embers condition speaks for itself. I bathed her last night and she drank a lot, poor thing.

I have a Mega Ray 100 watt bulb arriving for her tomorrow. I ordered two, but my card declined the second order. This one was supposed to be for my BD, but I'm giving it to Ember for her tank because she needs it. Her light is UVA only as Andrew is convinced she doesn't ever need a UVB bulb.

 

[KarrieRee]

Turns out my husband and his son are taking her. I hope he doesn't let him get away with lying about how she lives and how he cares for her like the last vet visit we had. I hope Embers condition speaks for itself. I bathed her last night and she drank a lot, poor thing.

I have a Mega Ray 100 watt bulb arriving for her tomorrow. I ordered two, but my card declined the second order. This one was supposed to be for my BD, but I'm giving it to Ember for her tank because she needs it. Her light is UVA only as Andrew is convinced she doesn't ever need a UVB bulb.

I sent the distance in a earlier post for the MegaRay please get it set up -- your SA needs to be honest w/ the vet so she can diagnose the issues going on from lack of care -- why go if hes not going to disclose the truth total waste of money

 

[DakotaClouds]

I sent the distance in a earlier post for the MegaRay please get it set up -- your SA needs to be honest w/ the vet so she can diagnose the issues going on from lack of care -- why go if hes not going to disclose the truth total waste of money

I ended up taking her. The vet said she has mouth rot, pneumonia, is underweight, dehydrated, her eyes are sunken in and her coloring is dull.

 

[KarrieRee]

I ended up taking her. The vet said she has mouth rot, pneumonia, is underweight, dehydrated, her eyes are sunken in and her coloring is dull.

That is all caused by NO UVB--- so what are they doing for all of it?

 

[DakotaClouds]

That is all caused by NO UVB--- so what are they doing for all of it?

I am giving her carnivore care since she won't eat due to the mouth rot. She has two rounds of ceftazidinme (0.14 in three days and another round 3 days following that) for the pneumonia and they gave me chlorhex dilute 1:30 to swab her mouth once a day for the mouth rot. Recheck is on the 28th.

 

[DakotaClouds]

The dragon needs a UVB - what are you using for a MVB ? And where in the tank is Embers ? MVB's also need a extra UVB to make sure they are getting enough UVB most do not emit enough and depending on where the placement is is going to determine how much they are getting for example if it on the screen that screen is going to block 30 % of the rays - if its unobstructed it will get more but for the most part you want another long tube fixture in the tank - a 24" Zoo Med fixture w/ the 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a 24" Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb --- that way you know your getting enough UVB to the dragons- I can help w/ this if you need it
Zoo Med Reptisun T5 HO High Output Terrarium Hood this will come w/ a 5.0 bulb you need the bulb posted above --

Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit | reptile Light Fixtures | PetSmart

Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit at PetSmart. Shop all reptile light fixtures online

www.petsmart.com

I want to say Petsmart takes payments now

I have a question on this. For now, I have a 48x12x25 tank for my BD. I know he needs 4x2x2. I can't afford it right now. I saw this and grabbed it so I could give my 40 gallon to Ember. So my question is, for the 48 inch tank, can I use the 24" fixture, of do I need a longer one? Also, that 10.0T5, is that only UVB not UVA? What do I get for a basking bulb? I have a ceramic heat emitter in there now with a MVB UVA/UVB/Heat 80 watt. Thank you for your help with this. I want to make sure everything is perfect moving forward, when I get the money. I just got a job offer yesterday.