Beardie has been acting strange. Is he sick?

[KarrieRee]

Ok I would get him on some dubias they are a great staple feeder --- hes an adult ? They need protein 2-3 times per week - you can weigh him on a kitchen food scale -- weigh in grams- and keep track of his weight -- its good to know what it is when winter is coming and they start to brumate you want a weight on them before that happens so you can keep track of it -- is he hydrated? Is he still eating his veggies ? They will not eat if they are dehydrated as well -- I can give you some websites for dubias / and worms if you like and you can order some --- but first we need to figure why hes not eating --- if his basking temps are 95-110 and the UVB has now been properly placed and no dehydration something else is going on --- is he sitting under the UVB now?
Karrie

 

[galaxxzy]

Ok I would get him on some dubias they are a great staple feeder --- hes an adult ? They need protein 2-3 times per week - you can weigh him on a kitchen food scale -- weigh in grams- and keep track of his weight -- its good to know what it is when winter is coming and they start to brumate you want a weight on them before that happens so you can keep track of it -- is he hydrated? Is he still eating his veggies ? They will not eat if they are dehydrated as well -- I can give you some websites for dubias / and worms if you like and you can order some --- but first we need to figure why hes not eating --- if his basking temps are 95-110 and the UVB has now been properly placed and no dehydration something else is going on --- is he sitting under the UVB now?
Karrie

Out local reptile store sells dubias I think so I’ll make sure to get some at one point. And yes, he has just turned one. I haven’t watered him today and he has also gone off of his veggies. I think he is sitting under it at the moment but I’ve gone out to get him some different veggies and fruits to see if he’s just bored of kale and carrots so I don’t know.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok you need to get him water- either by bathing dropping water on his nose or spaying him-- that could be a reason for not eating-- if he eats his vegies collards kale turnip greens wash them before serving that will help w/ hydrating along w/ gut loading dubias--- feed them carrots good hydration but do not feed your dragon carrots too to much vit a-
Karrie

 

[galaxxzy]

Ok you need to get him water- either by bathing dropping water on his nose or spaying him-- that could be a reason for not eating-- if he eats his vegies collards kale turnip greens wash them before serving that will help w/ hydrating along w/ gut loading dubias--- feed them carrots good hydration but do not feed your dragon carrots too to much vit a-
Karrie

I spray him and his food with water everyday so dehydration can’t be the problem unless I’m not spraying enough. How much should I be spraying and how often? I’ve just bought him some collards, carrots, and yellow squash so hopefully he’ll eat it since its new.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so dehydration is out--- as long as your spraying he should be getting enough - are his poops moist extra water maybe? so he's hydrated- if he his appetite does not pick up we are gonna haft to enlist in more help--- you may need a vet visit- correct basking temps good UVB hydration all being ruled out as cause along w/ parasites means another underlying issue
Karrie

 

[galaxxzy]

Ok so dehydration is out--- as long as your spraying he should be getting enough - are his poops moist extra water maybe? so he's hydrated- if he his appetite does not pick up we are gonna haft to enlist in more help--- you may need a vet visit- correct basking temps good UVB hydration all being ruled out as cause along w/ parasites means another underlying issue
Karrie

All the vets are closed until the 30th here and the closest exotics vet is almost an hour away. I’ll give him a little time and see what he does.

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes I would and you need a reptile vet--- I am not sure if an exotic vet will do unless they are experienced-- I would find out--- give him a day or two see if his behavior changes
Karrie

 

[galaxxzy]

Yes I would and you need a reptile vet--- I am not sure if an exotic vet will do unless they are experienced-- I would find out--- give him a day or two see if his behavior changes
Karrie

Yes the exotics vet does reptiles. I’ll post an update to this thread if his behaviour does change at all.

 

[SPandS]

If he isn't eating then he wouldn't be pooping either. Can't poop if you have nothing to poop out. Once he starts eating he should start pooping. Is it possible to adjust the location of the lights? Ideally they should be side by side so when the dragon basks he is getting both heat and uvb. Remember you are trying to mimic the sun.

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes like SandP said if hes not eating his veggies he isnt going to be getting any water --- when was the last time he pooped and ate?
Karrie

 

[galaxxzy]

Yes like SandP said if hes not eating his veggies he isnt going to be getting any water --- when was the last time he pooped and ate?
Karrie

Yes I’ve thought about that. I spray him on his nose everyday so he does get water. Last time I saw him excrete anything at all was a little dot of urate but the last time he pooped was also a little dot about a week ago. Last time he ate was 4 days ago (veggies). I can’t even remember when he last ate worms. I’m starting to think about taking him to the vet but I’m on a really tight budget. And for what SandP was saying about the lights, they are pretty much side by side. He has never basked in the space that he should though. Don’t know why.

 

[galaxxzy]

Yes like SandP said if hes not eating his veggies he isnt going to be getting any water --- when was the last time he pooped and ate?
Karrie

Also aren’t there appetite stimulants that I could try or are those only used as a last resort? How long do you think is too long for him to not be eating?

 

[SPandS]

Have you tried feeding him baby food? I only mentioned the lights because you had said he has 2 decor pieces, 1 for him to bask under the heat and 1 to bask under the uvb. That made it sound like he isn't able to bask under both at the same time like he should be able to.

 

[galaxxzy]

Have you tried feeding him baby food? I only mentioned the lights because you had said he has 2 decor pieces, 1 for him to bask under the heat and 1 to bask under the uvb. That made it sound like he isn't able to bask under both at the same time like he should be able to.

I’ve tried applesauce which he went crazy over so I thought he just wanted a change in diet so I got him some new veggies but he wont eat them. The second (uv) basking decoration is close enough to the heat so i think hes getting both.

 

[SPandS]

You can try some squash baby food maybe even some chicken just make sure there is nothing added. Ideally you want the hottest part of the enclosure (basking spot) to also be the highest uvb. I just want to make sure he is able to get strong amounts of both at the same time especially since he isn't eating on his own and may be getting weaker you dont want him to have to pick and choose.