Bearded dragon looking very sick

[Fam0501]

I posted a picture last week of my dragon doing well just a little underweight. I decided to buy him some large hornworms to plump him up. Over the past few days I noticed he was acting different. His beard was black and he was tan in color. Yesterday, he was very unstable and I noticed a hard piece of the hornworm stuck outside his rectum. I tried massaging the lizard belly.. tried the warm soaks and it wouldn’t come out….It was STUCK. Soo I lifted his tail up and gently pulled it out. The hornworm was intact “” size of my pinky “ no blood passed by the dragon. Today he is not as black as yesterday but definitely still lethargic. He’s alert when I pick him up. Shakes for a few seconds when I grab him. I’m soo upset crying here because I just wanted to help him.

 

[KarrieRee]

I posted a picture last week of my dragon doing well just a little underweight. I decided to buy him some large hornworms to plump him up. Over the past few days I noticed he was acting different. His beard was black and he was tan in color. Yesterday, he was very unstable and I noticed a hard piece of the hornworm stuck outside his rectum. I tried massaging the lizard belly.. tried the warm soaks and it wouldn’t come out….It was STUCK. Soo I lifted his tail up and gently pulled it out. The hornworm was intact “” size of my pinky “ no blood passed by the dragon. Today he is not as black as yesterday but definitely still lethargic. He’s alert when I pick him up. Shakes for a few seconds when I grab him. I’m soo upset crying here because I just wanted to help him.

Sorry to hear about your dragon---- what are the basking temps and how are you taking them? Are you using a solid bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense bulb you dont want any colored bulbs coil bulb off white bulbs or yellowish bulbs for basking? Are you using a digital probe thermometer to get the basking temps? It sounds like the basking temps are not high enough for digestion to start you want them 95-100 and those should be surface temps taken w/ a digital probe -- what kind of UVB? No coils please You want a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med 24" for a 40 + gallon tank w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a 24" Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb ---

 

[AHBD]

Aw, poor guy, he ate the hornworm but didn't chew or digest it and he does look pretty rough. I'll look over your other posts to see if you mentioned his temps + lights, plus how long you've owned him . For right now just offer him some baby food squash or sweet potato mixed with a little water. If he will drink, give him a 5 minute warm soak also to help hydrate him.

 

[Fam0501]

Sorry to hear about your dragon---- what are the basking temps and how are you taking them? Are you using a solid bright white basking bulb like a Exo Terra Intense bulb you dont want any colored bulbs coil bulb off white bulbs or yellowish bulbs for basking? Are you using a digital probe thermometer to get the basking temps? It sounds like the basking temps are not high enough for digestion to start you want them 95-100 and those should be surface temps taken w/ a digital probe -- what kind of UVB? No coils please You want a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med 24" for a 40 + gallon tank w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a 24" Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb ---

.

Thanks for responding. I just checked the temp and CV it’s at 85. I currently have whatever set up petsmart sells with a 150 bulb basking light. Last week I learned about the Zoo Med 24..purchased it and when I got it the lamp only lasted 6 hours. Soo now I’m waiting for a replacement. I have the coil for UV Lightning. :/ Not using a digital probe. Seems I have a lot still to learn. Just sad that it affected this little guy I will say this morning I caught him drinking his water and now he’s laying on his belly watching me. Much better than last night and early this AM
He’s my first Beardie. I believe he’s about 14 months.

 

[Fam0501]

Aw, poor guy, he ate the hornworm but didn't chew or digest it and he does look pretty rough. I'll look over your other posts to see if you mentioned his temps + lights, plus how long you've owned him . For right now just offer him some baby food squash or sweet potato mixed with a little water. If he will drink, give him a 5 minute warm soak also to help hydrate him.

Thanks for responding. He definitely did not chew the hornworm. It was fully intact. He’s approximately 14 months old. The Lightning is definitely off as I learned that last week about the UV. The Zoo Med recommended large me only 6 hours soo I’m waiting on the replacement. He currently has the set up that comes from petsmart. Basking lamp 150 watts and a coil uv light. :/
Early morning I really thought he was on his way out. But I just caught him earlier drinking his water. He’s mire alert, laying in his belly watching me. Having a pet is hard!! He’s my first bearded dragon and he’s my baby :/ Hopefully, he’ll recuperate here. I’m gonna do what what you recommended and put some baby did squash into a bowl for him. I cleaned out his tank and threw away all the crickets and hornworns. Just have him bok choy.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thanks for responding. He definitely did not chew the hornworm. It was fully intact. He’s approximately 14 months old. The Lightning is definitely off as I learned that last week about the UV. The Zoo Med recommended large me only 6 hours soo I’m waiting on the replacement. He currently has the set up that comes from petsmart. Basking lamp 150 watts and a coil uv light. :/
Early morning I really thought he was on his way out. But I just caught him earlier drinking his water. He’s mire alert, laying in his belly watching me. Having a pet is hard!! He’s my first bearded dragon and he’s my baby :/ Hopefully, he’ll recuperate here. I’m gonna do what what you recommended and put some baby did squash into a bowl for him. I cleaned out his tank and threw away all the crickets and hornworns. Just have him bok choy.

Please get the digital probe thermometer place on the spot where he basks for like 10 min or so get the temp - it needs to be 95-100 -- is the weather warm where you are? If its 65 + degrees take him outside for some good UVB - you can have him sit on you or place him in a plastic tote NO glass please for 15 min or so supervise him do not leave him - do this every day or other till the bulb comes in - did you get the Reptisun 10.0 T5 bulb? The 5.0 is ok but you want the 10.0 keep the 5.0 it can be used for a back up --- what kind of screen is on the tank ? Fine mesh like a screen door or a wide holed type?? This does make a difference for placement and distance of the two bulbs 5.0 and 10.0 --

 

[AHBD]

That's good that he drank some water, very important. And it is unfortunate that the stores sell inadequate lighting with some of the the beardie kits. If it's warm where you live take him out in the sun for about 45 minutes or more . Just let him sit on your lap, if it's really warm and you have a yard you can sit with him directly inn the grass. That way he'll get immediate uvb which he needs. BTW, is the heat bulb a bright white on or did they just give you a ceramic heat emitter [ CHE ] that is seen in the picture there ?

 

[Fam0501]

Please get the digital probe thermometer place on the spot where he basks for like 10 min or so get the temp - it needs to be 95-100 -- is the weather warm where you are? If its 65 + degrees take him outside for some good UVB - you can have him sit on you or place him in a plastic tote NO glass please for 15 min or so supervise him do not leave him - do this every day or other till the bulb comes in - did you get the Reptisun 10.0 T5 bulb? The 5.0 is ok but you want the 10.0 keep the 5.0 it can be used for a back up --- what kind of screen is on the tank ? Fine mesh like a screen door or a wide holed type?? This does make a difference for placement and distance of the two bulbs 5.0 and 10.0 --

Any digital probe you recommend?
He has a 40 gallon tank, mesh top. I purchased the Reptisun 5.0 T5 bulb. It came with the god. Ordering today the 10 as recommended.
I live in Florida and I’m home the next the days in the morning so I’ll do that. Thanks

 

[Fam0501]

That's good that he drank some water, very important. And it is unfortunate that the stores sell inadequate lighting with some of the the beardie kits. If it's warm where you live take him out in the sun for about 45 minutes or more . Just let him sit on your lap, if it's really warm and you have a yard you can sit with him directly inn the grass. That way he'll get immediate uvb which he needs. BTW, is the heat bulb a bright white on or did they just give you a ceramic heat emitter [ CHE ] that is seen in the picture there ?

Yes, I’m glad I caught him drinking something. He’s moving around the tank, bearded and buddy is not as black as this morning, soo not himself but not going backwards. I put some of baby squash on his mouth and he licked it once. That was it. Leaving in the tank for now and will try to feed him again later. Yes, it’s warm here. I love in Florida. I get a lot of sun in the mornings on my porch soo I’ll have to sit with him there for the next few mornings while I’m home.
I purchased the heart emitter in black. No light.

 

[KarrieRee]

Any digital probe you recommend?
He has a 40 gallon tank, mesh top. I purchased the Reptisun 5.0 T5 bulb. It came with the god. Ordering today the 10 as recommended.
I live in Florida and I’m home the next the days in the morning so I’ll do that. Thanks

Most people use the zoo med digital probe thermometer- found at Petco or PetSmart

 

[Fam0501]

Most people use the zoo med digital probe thermometer- found at Petco or PetSmart

Ok I’ll get that one. Hopefully, he pulls out of this. He’s holding on

 

[AHBD]

O.K, it's good that he's doing a little better ! Be sure to get him in the actual sun, if it comes through the glass it won't help since glass blocks uvb but through a screen is O.K, out in the yard when it's not TOO hot is best, in the grass not on concrete though.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

He is definitely looking better, bless him. It sounds like it simply impacted him to some
extent which happens very often with those larger worms. Even though they are soft
bellied they can still cause issues.
Definitely be sure he is taking in fluids & keep him on a soft foods diet for a few days or
until he passes everything through.
I hope he continues to improve daily!

Tracie

 

[Fam0501]

Hello,

He is definitely looking better, bless him. It sounds like it simply impacted him to some
extent which happens very often with those larger worms. Even though they are soft
bellied they can still cause issues.
Definitely be sure he is taking in fluids & keep him on a soft foods diet for a few days or
until he passes everything through.
I hope he continues to improve daily!

Tracie

Thank you He is doing so much better today. More active and I caught him in his green. Not sure if he was eating anything but just to see him doing something felt great! He’s not touching the stuff guys soo I just cut up some bok choy into tiny pieces and gave him just a little. Definitely taking everyone’s advice on here!! Bought him the digital temp reader and the 10w T5 lighting. Just waiting for the Zoo med replacement hood I purchased that was damaged.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you He is doing so much better today. More active and I caught him in his green. Not sure if he was eating anything but just to see him doing something felt great! He’s not touching the stuff guys soo I just cut up some bok choy into tiny pieces and gave him just a little. Definitely taking everyone’s advice on here!! Bought him the digital temp reader and the 10w T5 lighting. Just waiting for the Zoo med replacement hood I purchased that was damaged.

Can you please tell me exactly what you bought ? 10w T5 lighting? When you get the fixture please post back on here so I can help you get it properly placed - they have certain placement and distance it will depend on the screen