I’m a newbie to reptiles and here with my new buddy Sushi! Any advice appreciated! ♥️

[KarrieRee]

I've added a 150w Exo Terra intense, 80w deep heat projector and still have the 150w ZooMed basking bulb. I removed the CHE. I tried just the 150w intense and 80w deep heat projector this morning but it didn't get hot enough. It's now too hot on her rock with all three domes and she's not on the rock but she is finally gaping!! When I saw her gaping she was on the first notch in the stick, near the rocks. Top of basking rock 114, lower rock 109 & 108, cool side 82. All those temps taken with probe thermometers on a surface. About an hour before light out I turned off the deep heat projector. It's the only bulb I have a dimmer on. The heat didn't come down very much yet but it's been only about 20 minutes. She has been more active today than I have ever seen her. She didn't eat her protein today but she did drink water and a bit of salad all on her own. I was so happy when I witnessed it I could cry! I feel her lighting is finally improving but I'm not sure it's perfect. Is it a good idea to have two heat and light bulbs going at once or should I try the 150 intense, the 80 deep heat and the 100 che so only one of the bulbs is providing light? She does seem to like it hot. Today was the first time I saw her venture to the cool side of the tank. She didn't stay long but she is bright colored, active, got some sexy leg and is finally gaping. I'm so worried that I may burn her that I had a hard time leaving all the bulbs on. When is it too much? Is she likely to burn her bottom side if I allow it to get too hot? I know heated rocks are not okay for beardies because they can burn themselves. This is why I'm hesitant to heat it up too much but maybe she needs more. What do you think?

She won't bask where it's too hot- 114-- shut the heat projector off put in a 75 watt- basking w/ your 150 and see what the temp does I am not a fan of rocks as basking decor because they do get so hot-

 

[theslee]

She won't bask where it's too hot- 114-- shut the heat projector off put in a 75 watt- basking w/ your 150 and see what the temp does I am not a fan of rocks as basking decor because they do get so hot-

I believe I have temperatures figured out. I don't have a 75 watt bulb, so I tried my 100w. It still gets too hot and it flickers with the dimmer so I only use it for about an hour. Once it warms up it's only the 150 intense with the deep heat set on the thermostat to 110. Her temp is now consistent 110 on the top rock, 99 to a degree or two throughout the day.

Her mouth looks good, I see just the very tiniest bit of discoloration on a couple teeth but right now it doesn't really amount to anything. If it changes be sure to post pics of it.

#1-1/26, #2 1/17, #3 1/6
Please check lip and right eye.
Fecal results 1/27 negative for everything but pinworms, no treatment.
1/6 first vet visit (#3 pic) 26g, vet said lip and right eye are fine. Removed some shed.
1/25 hadn’t eaten for 12 days (I stopped mealworms) except a leaf and some water, ate 2 mealworms with enthusiasm.
I really tried not to offer mealworms. I also really needed a fecal sample. My family and I just recovered from covid so we have been stuck home. I offer a variety of greens and feeders (BSFL, dubias or superworms) daily. I just tried bee pollen powder on her salad today. Not eating. Her temps are 109, 95, 78.

 

[theslee]

I believe I have temperatures figured out. I don't have a 75 watt bulb, so I tried my 100w. It still gets too hot and it flickers with the dimmer so I only use it for about an hour. Once it warms up it's only the 150 intense with the deep heat set on the thermostat to 110. Her temp is now consistent 110 on the top rock, 99 to a degree or two throughout the day.

View attachment 67216
#1-1/26, #2 1/17, #3 1/6
Please check lip and right eye.
Fecal results 1/27 negative for everything but pinworms, no treatment.
1/6 first vet visit (#3 pic) 26g, vet said lip and right eye are fine. Removed some shed.
1/25 hadn’t eaten for 12 days (I stopped mealworms) except a leaf and some water, ate 2 mealworms with enthusiasm.
I really tried not to offer mealworms. I also really needed a fecal sample. My family and I just recovered from covid so we have been stuck home. I offer a variety of greens and feeders (BSFL, dubias or superworms) daily. I just tried bee pollen powder on her salad today. Not eating. Her temps are 109, 95, 78.

I am in contact with my vet but they had a family emergency and I don’t know how soon I will get advice from him.

 

[KarrieRee]

I believe I have temperatures figured out. I don't have a 75 watt bulb, so I tried my 100w. It still gets too hot and it flickers with the dimmer so I only use it for about an hour. Once it warms up it's only the 150 intense with the deep heat set on the thermostat to 110. Her temp is now consistent 110 on the top rock, 99 to a degree or two throughout the day.

View attachment 67216
#1-1/26, #2 1/17, #3 1/6
Please check lip and right eye.
Fecal results 1/27 negative for everything but pinworms, no treatment.
1/6 first vet visit (#3 pic) 26g, vet said lip and right eye are fine. Removed some shed.
1/25 hadn’t eaten for 12 days (I stopped mealworms) except a leaf and some water, ate 2 mealworms with enthusiasm.
I really tried not to offer mealworms. I also really needed a fecal sample. My family and I just recovered from covid so we have been stuck home. I offer a variety of greens and feeders (BSFL, dubias or superworms) daily. I just tried bee pollen powder on her salad today. Not eating. Her temps are 109, 95, 78.

Please do not feed her the mealworms - she has gotten hooked on them - keep her hydrated please and offer the BSFL on her salads - then take the dubias and put them on top of her salads as well - how about the UVB is she sitting under that?

 

[theslee]

Please do not feed her the mealworms - she has gotten hooked on them - keep her hydrated please and offer the BSFL on her salads - then take the dubias and put them on top of her salads as well - how about the UVB is she sitting under that?

She is sitting under the uvb most of the day. I changed out the bulb about 5 days ago to a fresh ZooMed, just in case the ReptiZoo was the problem. I give her fresh water and BSFL on her salad daily. I stopped mealworms and I know offering them again set me back but when is it too long for a juvenile to not eat? 12 days felt very frustrating!

 

[KarrieRee]

She is sitting under the uvb most of the day. I changed out the bulb about 5 days ago to a fresh ZooMed, just in case the ReptiZoo was the problem. I give her fresh water and BSFL on her salad daily. I stopped mealworms and I know offering them again set me back but when is it too long for a juvenile to not eat? 12 days felt very frustrating!

See how the appetite goes w/ the Repitsun bulb - then let us know- she should be showing signs of better appetite if it was 5 days ago - what bulb are you using ? T 8 or T 5

 

[theslee]

See how the appetite goes w/ the Repitsun bulb - then let us know- she should be showing signs of better appetite if it was 5 days ago - what bulb are you using ? T 8 or T 5

T5 HO 10.0

 

[KarrieRee]

T5 HO 10.0

And you have that inside w/ the distance of 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor correct?

 

[theslee]

And you have that inside w/ the distance of 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor correct?

Correct, BUT since I increased her temps she rarely goes on the top rock. The top rock is 12” but from the larger rock and where she has been is just over 15”.

 

[KarrieRee]

Correct, BUT since I increased her temps she rarely goes on the top rock. The top rock is 12” but from the larger rock and where she has been is just over 15”.

Ok so she is going to sit where its most comfortable for her so adjust as needed

 

[theslee]

Ok so she is going to sit where its most comfortable for her so adjust as needed

She favors the optimal uvb spot, she is directly under uvb where she basks. She doesn’t go to the hottest rock or the cold side. She doesn’t really gape, only that once when her top basking was 114 did I notice it.

 

[theslee]

We have a bsfl eating dragon!! We are on day 7, last day, of Baytril and Sushi has finally started eating. Her lip injury continued to get worse. Still waiting on culture results. She ate 2/2:15 small dubia, 2/3: 20 small dubia, 2/4: 20 small dubia and 20 bsfl, 2/4: 45 bsfl. I still offer salads daily that she doesn't consume. Her temperatures are 105, 96 and 78. She spends 99% of her time in that same spot directly below the uvb and basking bulb. I'm currently using just the 150 intense most of the day with a little help from the 100w basking in the AM during warm up. She now gets excited for bugs but that is pretty much the only time she moves. Should I be worried that she basks all day and has only pooped twice (one very wet, one very dry) since starting food? Normal behavior after being sick?

 

[freddyshouse]

What a cutie! When we first got Freddy we also had eating issues and we were so worried, but Freddy finally came around on his own time and now eats the bowl clean every day! But those first two weeks to a month were an absolute stress. My best advice is consistency and patience; if the vet says she's ok and if the vivarium is set, just keep trying different types of fruits, veggies, and bugs mixed into a salad of greens. You say she's eating a little, and little food is better than no food! I know waxworms and some other foods are supposed to be just a treat, but at first, wax worms were the only thing Freddy would eat, so it was better than nothing. Now he loves all greens and bugs! There's hardly anything he won't eat. I trust that absent any underlying issues (which it sounds like there aren't any so far), Sushi will be in the same boat. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[theslee]

What a cutie! When we first got Freddy we also had eating issues and we were so worried, but Freddy finally came around on his own time and now eats the bowl clean every day! But those first two weeks to a month were an absolute stress. My best advice is consistency and patience; if the vet says she's ok and if the vivarium is set, just keep trying different types of fruits, veggies, and bugs mixed into a salad of greens. You say she's eating a little, and little food is better than no food! I know waxworms and some other foods are supposed to be just a treat, but at first, wax worms were the only thing Freddy would eat, so it was better than nothing. Now he loves all greens and bugs! There's hardly anything he won't eat. I trust that absent any underlying issues (which it sounds like there aren't any so far), Sushi will be in the same boat. Good luck and keep us posted!

Aww, thank you for your response! I’m not super sure my set up is on pointe. I know this is the biggest factor to a beardie’s wellbeing. I’m trying to pay attention to her behavior to determine what she likes. She seems to consistently stay in the same 4”x4” area 99% of the day even if the temperature isn’t consistent (98-105 today). Is this normal?

 

[freddyshouse]

Aww, thank you for your response! I’m not super sure my set up is on pointe. I know this is the biggest factor to a beardie’s wellbeing. I’m trying to pay attention to her behavior to determine what she likes. She seems to consistently stay in the same 4”x4” area 99% of the day even if the temperature isn’t consistent (98-105 today). Is this normal?

Generally, yes. From my experience (and I know all beardies are different), Freddy is rarely running around the tank or glass surfing; instead, he mostly chills in a spot he likes the best that day. Is 98-105 the basking spot? Is this preferred spot in the basking area or the cool side? Is she just laying there, lethargic or sleeping? Or is she sitting up alert in that area?