Bearded dragon seems lethargic and mouth stays open

[guel13b]

Ok so my BD has been chilling in one spot for hours and hours. He's alert when i aproach the viv and runs aroind when taken out. But when i put him back he seems to just stay in one spot. Also his mouth always stays open all day long. He always seems tired. A couple months back he was tested positive for coccida and hook worms. He was ok after that but i think he has them again. He doesnt poop as often. Thats him about a week. And he isnt impacted i give him a bath every other to try and get him to go. When he goes its very loose. This is leading me to think he has parasites again. Waiting to get another sample done so it can get treated. So what im trying to say or find out, could him having parasites cause him to be lethargic? And the mouth open all day mean he has a respitory infection or are my temps too high. I have a 75 gal tank. With a flouresent tube reptisun 10.0 and 100w i believe zoo med heat bulb. Temps get on basking side 105° to 120°. For the night since i habe my ac on a 75w heat emmiter. He is about a year old 19"s long and about 466g. Also he does eat if i give him dubias or supers or any kind of feeder. I do have pictures of him just laying down looking lazy just dont know how to post it up. Im new to beardeddragon.org

 

[diamc]

Hi, it's possible that he has parasites again so would be a good idea to have another fecal checked as they can cause a runny stool as well as lethargic & sleepy behavior. Did you give him a probiotic while he was on the meds?

If the basking side is going up to 120 degrees, that is too hot even for a baby beardie as we don't recommend anything higher than 110, even for a little one. What is the actual basking SURFACE temp? Also, what type of thermometer are you using? What is the temp of the tank at night when the CHE is in use?

When you say he spends all his time in one spot in the tank, where exactly is that spot, on the bottom or under the basking light?

Also, how old is the Repti-Sun tube and what is the distance to it in the basking spot?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to help you rule things out.

Do you noticed any breathing issues or mucus around the mouth or nose? Is his beard and/or tail darkened in color?

 

[guel13b]

Yea i think he does have them again just waiting for him to go so i can gwt the sample. Im not sure what probiotics are i just did as what the vet instructed me to do. Basking heat temp usually would be 110 bit lately its been getting higher like 120. I had a 150w bulb. But it was getting way too hot so bumped down to 100w. Im using a digital thermometer and plan on getting a infrared temp lazar to be more accurate with temps. Night time temp is 85° to 75° on hot side and 80 to 70 on cold. Uvb bulb is 3months old replacing in december. uvb bulb is right next to the basking bulb, rigjt in the middle of the viv. No differences in breathing or no mucus and no dark beard or tail. I have a drift wood about 25"s long he would be at the end of the log opposite of basking spot he would go back and forth now hes on the floor of viv in the back left corner almpst underneath basking bulb. I have pics of him in the corner and his set up. Just dont know how to upload them on here. Thanks for the help by the way. My first beardy jad for about 8 mounths. Just want him to be him self again.

 

[diamc]

This should help with posting pictures: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=167225

Probiotics help restore the good gut flora that the antibiotics destroy. There are actually quite a few available, Benebac gel (my beardies' favorite), Acidophiliz liquid, fruit flavored SOY (non-dairy) yogurt, NutriBAC, Avibios are the main ones I can think of right now.

Are you only using the 100 watt heat bulb & you're getting a basking temp of up to 120 now? Is the digital thermometer a strip or does it have a long wire & probe end? Since he doesn't really bask under the lights & is now laying on the floor under the basking light, it does sound like he is too hot. Would be a good idea to drop down to a 75 watt bulb, can even use a standard household light bulb for the basking bulb.

When any of my beardies were that age, they never liked a basking temp over 103 to 104, otherwise they wouldn't bask so that would slow down the pooping process.

They do need a cool down at night so the 70 degrees is fine so make sure that is the area where he is sleeping as 85 for a nighttime temp is a little too warm.

That's good that there is no mucus or darkened areas & that his breathing is fine. It sounds like the gaping is because he is too warm & is trying to thermoregulate which is similar to a dog panting.

 

[guel13b]

Ok thanks so where can i get these product at and when should i give them to my BD. Yes its been getting that temp with the 100watt bulb. Ill try a 75watt bulb and see if that helps. I have the long wire with the probs at the end. I also use a DVOM with a prob that i use for work thats pretty accurate. He tends to go from basking spot and and the floor but lately the floor. He just lays flat. Its wierd cus he also lays flat on the basking area too. I figuired it was too hot but i didnt knownthat gaping was a bad thing i just knew its how they sweat/cool down. Im deff going to try the 75w bulb. And get a sample done asap so he can be him self again. Thanks for the help.

 

[diamc]

You can get all the products I mentioned here: http://www.bug-de-lite.com/ except for the SOY yogurt that you should be able to find in your grocery store. My beardies will lick the Benebac gel off their noses willingly & love the taste. You could even put a pea sized drop on his nose daily. When using an antibiotic, we recommend giving it once to twice daily and for also about 2 wks after the antibiotic is gone.

A little gaping is fine but since he is also lethargic and avoiding the basking spot frequently as well as laying flat on the floor, those are signs that he is too hot. A basking temp over 110 can cause rapid dehydration. Are you placing the probe right on the basking spot & then waiting 45 min to an hr for the temp to stop rising before getting the final basking SURFACE temp?

Let me know how you make out with the temps when using the 75 watt and be sure to keep us updated on him.

 

[guel13b]

Thanks ill chexk that website out...only give the probiotics when given the med correct. Ill try the 75w tomorrow when i gwt a chance to get a new bulb.

Yes i do leave the probe on there for quite awhile. Ill be getting an infrared lazar to get more accurate temp. Ill let you know how the temps are after the 75w and also how i make out with the sample and how he is doing after all that. Thanks again for the help much apreaciated.

 

[diamc]

I actually give the Benebac gel once in a while anyway, only does good things for them and also can help with their appetites.

Sounds good. Always happy to help. :wink:

 

[guel13b]

Thanks again

 

[diamc]

 

[guel13b]

A little update on my BD. Got the stool sample done and it came back positive again. I know, that sucks. He has 3 different kind of worms, he has hook worms (low count from previous sample), coccidia also lower than last time and some other worm i forgot the name of. It starts with Ca i think. This he has a very high count. Explains why he's so lethagic and avoiding the basking area. Anyway, i have a powered med to give him tomorrow with his food, askes the vet if i should give him probiotics with the med and he said it wouldnt do anything for getting rid of the worms. He said thats more for antibiotics. Soo should i not give the probiotics like the vet said or should i still give it to him. And also how is a way to prevent the parasites from coming back? Thanks.

 

[CooperDragon]

While probiotics are designed to replenish gut flora that is decimated by antibiotics, I don't think it will cause a problem to provide it. It's similar to us eating some yogurt. I would be sure to provide the entire course of medication and then have him re-checked at the end of the cycle. I would also get a small steam cleaner to thoroughly clean the tank and all furniture. You may need to go through it a few times and definitely clean everything out when the meds are finished. Killing off any remnants in the tank will be an important step for preventing re-infection.

 

[guel13b]

CooperDraon, they gave me a powered type med (panacur c). Gave it to him this morning next dose is 2 weeks from today. Then a fecal sample a week after that. So i should give the probiotics everyday for 2 weeks or 3. I just cleaned the viv today with hot water and a little bit of clorox not much. Left majority of funiture out since its wood and needs to dry up. I dont have a steam cleaner so should i clean the viv everyday, every 2 days, every week.

 

[CooperDragon]

I provide bene-bac every 3 days or so rather than every day. If you're using clorox to clean, just be sure to rinse everything very thoroughly to remove any residue. For wooden furniture you can rinse it with water and then bake it in the oven on low (around 250) for half an hour or so. That should take care of the crawlies. I'd give the viv a thorough cleaning every few days if you can until you get the all clear.

 

[guel13b]

Ok thanks im going to check my local petstore for that benebac gel. When i used the clorox i went over the whole viv again in just warm water then towel dryed after. Thanks for the help ill wash the wood tomorrow. Thanks again. Cooperdragon