Adult suddenly Black bearding *Pic inc.

[angelpaws]

Things have been really great lately. My Zorro has been growing and doing well. I've seen him black beard just for short periods of time. Today he had a full on black beard and he will not bring it back to normal color. I shut his day light off an hour early to try and calm him, (we were thinking maybe his reflection in his viv was upsetting him) but his beard remained black. He didnt hiss or puff up. I took him out to walk around thinking maybe that would help him forget his icky mood but to no avail.

What the heck is going on? ANyone experience this? What are some reasons for him to be so pissy all of a suddden? He's not the friendliest of beardies but he is not aggressive. I have no other beardies either. Poor guy!

Thanks

 

[smeegy]

Has his eye always been like that? The bag under his eye seems very very low..

 

[nubbs]

he could be sick. i'd take him to the vet.

 

[snazzyglasses]

Oh wow his colors are super pretty!
Droopy lower eyelids can also be caused by just plain genetics, so it's not necessarily anything to worry about unless the droopy-ness had suddenly appeared.
Maybe Zorro's tummy is bothering him. Has he eaten anything new or weird recently?

 

[angelpaws]

I've hated the droopy eye thing since I first saw it and I have read a ton about it. It seems to be just the genetics. He is not dehydrated and eats quite well. I am a vet techandwork very hard to keep him very healthy - it turns out Snazzy was spot on...that day he had an upset stomach. He did have a bout of diarrhea. He feels better today and no longer has the black beard. Good to know! Thanks Snazz!

The diarrhea has recently been an issue because of the superworms. It began just as soon as I started giving them. I have lowered the occassion to 1 worm every other day but I think I may have to bring it down even less.

Thanks for the complement on his colors - hes a very pretty boy, especially when he sheds. His orange colors really show bright then!

 

[snazzyglasses]

Oh awesome I'm glad I could help! And glad that black beard is gone
That's weird about the superworm diarrhea though. :? Maybe his tummy is just extra-sensitive to new bugs?

 

[angelpaws]

I've been testing the theory..we've only had the superworms for maybe 2 weeks. I would wait till he gets a normal stool and then I give him a superworm. His next poo gets soft. The first time I gve him two worms in one day it was pure diarrhea! I didnt think it would be so bad considering how everyone had supported the use of the worm. My poor baby! I didnt get the same effect from phoenix worms and they were pretty new too. (I fed those on a separate occassion).

I know with dogs and cats you have to introduce new foods slowly. So I guess we'll just try going slower with the superworms - maybe 1 every 3 days? How are others feeding superworms? Arent superworms calcium rich? Can too much calcium cause diarrhea? I dont dust the worms but he's getting dusted crickets & vitmins daily. SMH. Well, His poo today is normal and he's looking better...

Thank again

 

[snazzyglasses]

I'm not sure :? Our male has been eating superworms ever since he was long enough to have them, but he started years ago when he was still with his previous owners so I'm not sure how long it took to transition to the new bugs. Sometimes he has a few tiny bits of superworm exoskeleton in his poop, but so far that's the only issue I've had (knock on wood!)
I do know that superworms still need to be dusted though; I think Phoenix worms are the ones that don't need dusting?