Beardie Not Drinking

[rhpsp]

My beardie is ~2 years old. I have always struggled getting her to drink and now nothing seems to work.

I do all of the following and she never drinks:

-Weekly baths
-Misted
-Misted veggies
-Water bowl in tank
-Drops of water on her snout

Nothing works. I am worried about dehydration.

Part of my concern is that she goes through stages of not eating her greens. She will eat her bugs regularly. I give her mustard greens. Add strawberries or blueberries 2x weekly. Added some carrots and broccoli today, not interested.

She basks and gets exercise.

She does like to go into her hide every couple of days and stays there for a day or two... Is this normal?

I have a mercury vapor bulb and the reptisun 10.0 UVB. Both less than 7 months.

Would appreciate any advice!

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok first I would get her off the floor- too cold and drafty- an old dresser works great- the UVB is a T 8 or T 5? If it's a T 8 it needs to be inside the tank w/ the plastic cover off the fixture bulb exposed basking decor approx 6-8 inches directly under it--- the screen is blocking 30% of those rays if it's a T 5 top of screen basking decor directly underneath approx 8-10 inches-- if her urate is dry and chalky looking she is dehydrated- they can go long periods of not drinking- are you gutloading the insects? Feeding them carrots or squash is good for hydrating them and the dragon----- does she have extra water coming out if so that is good
Karrie

 

[rhpsp]

Hi Karrie,

Thank you for the quick response!

The UVB is a T-8 and the plastic cover is off. I will have to find a way to get it on the inside. Her last poo was in the bath, right down the drain so I couldn't quite tell. She only passes about 3x a week, rarely more. Last time was Sunday in the tub.

Yes the roaches are gut-loaded.

Should I be concerned about the lack of consumption of her greens?

Thanks again!

 

[KarrieRee]

You can use these to hang fixture long plastic zip ties- 3 M command Velcro fasteners--picture wire hangers-shoe laces-- potted plant wire hangers- fishing line- eating greens seems to be a big issue w/ alot of them-- have you tried luring her to the bowl w/ worms? Meal worms supers butter worms horn worms? Silk worms are another staple feeder but can be used if you need websites let me know- she doesn't need to drink as often as you think- is she drinking in the bath? I would offer her water on her snout about about once a week-- lay off on the baths- it is not uncommon for them to not poop for long periods of time + like weeks to a month- horn worms are a great hydrating worm
Karrie

 

[rhpsp]

Great idea with the zip tie and fasteners! Thank you!

She has never drank in the bath.

I have tried using mealworms and bsfl, she's quite good at just getting the worms.

She used to be pretty good about eating greens, not sure what changed with her. I try to give variety with different "toppings". She used to love strawberries, now its blueberries. She sometimes like raspberries. Bell pepper not a huge hit. Doesn't seem like broccoli is enticing her either.

Can she eat a full sized silk worm? I haven't ever fed them due to larger size and fast growth when keeping them...

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes I would get your uvb fixed and it should change the behavior of eating at this point shes not able to absorb calcium which will effect her eating-- yes she can eat a full size horn and silk worm -- here is some websites
www.dubiaroaches.com they have good horn worms super worms and butterworms-
www.reptilianarts.com if you order bulk like 50 they come small make sure you order food you will need to feed them and clean the containers out daily
www.coastilsilkworms.com
www.mulberryfarms.com
Karrie

 

[rhpsp]

Really appreciate it!

 

[KarrieRee]

Keep us updated on her- the horn worms are a good hydrating worm-- they grow fast so order small amounts
Karrie

 

[rhpsp]

I will order some now. She's been healthy and active so hopefully she is already hydrated and I just don't know it.

 

[rhpsp]

Hi,

Just wanted to update. Nigel seems to be doing good with hydration! Horn worms seems to be the key for her, since she’s not fond of drinking in any format. I will continue to provide those for her. She did have hard urate, but today, was back to normal.

I saw her munching on her salad too! She’s active and doing good.

Thank you so much for the horn worm and bsfl tip! Truly appreciate this community!

Thanks Karrie for the advice!

 

[KarrieRee]

Glad to hear!
Karrie

 

[WinFam01]

Love reading these kinds of updates!