I got my beardie on 07/10 (expected to be 3months old) and unexpectedly had to move house on 24/10 - he settled in very well and was fine up until the start of this week (02/11) where he has not been eating much, has began wall surfing and seems more flighty. I believe he has gotten stress marks slightly on his stomach and he has also began closing his right eye.
I have limited handling due to worries it stresses him out more (this was at push 30mins a day due to still getting him used to it) and I just feel very worried about him.
The set up seems fine (will add photos) and his temps are okay. He has UV and heat for 12 hours a day. He was pooping fine until today where I have not seen one yet (6:15pm here now) and the last two days the faeces are small and black and his urate flat white like dried bird poo. I think he may be dehydrated so have tried bathing, dripping water on his nose and soaking his veg (although he won’t eat them). The locust he eats are well fed and watered too.
Changes in environment I think could have stressed him:
- my mother’s dog visited at the weekend but beardie did not seem spooked and they did not have contact (just saw each other running around)
- my desk is opposite the tank and I am working from home (however I sat opposite him until 24/10)
- first bath at weekend
- new house as of 24/10 but only showing signs of as of 02/11
- used to be ground level facing me/bottom of sofa, now facing me (back turned at desk) and window.
I will be ordering a fecal test and vet visit but I wanted to check here too as extremely worried and feeling very guilty for whatever I’ve done to spook him
Thanks
EDIT - he is back to normal now, thanks for all help
I don’t know how to upload a photo sorry
*note he is mid shed too, he has shed his body but had some left on head, feet and whole tail.
Has eaten around 5 locust today (medium) but no veg
It sounds like it may be shed related, but it could also just be coincidental timing. They tend to go through phases in which they get hyperactive and it's often driven by hormones. They don't tend to prioritize food for a while, but eventually calm back down and settle into a normal routine again. If there is a safe place to let him out to run around and burn off some energy, I'd let him out for a while to explore. You could even set up a portable basking light for him to "recharge" under while he's out and about.
It sounds like it may be shed related, but it could also just be coincidental timing. They tend to go through phases in which they get hyperactive and it's often driven by hormones. They don't tend to prioritize food for a while, but eventually calm back down and settle into a normal routine again. If there is a safe place to let him out to run around and burn off some energy, I'd let him out for a while to explore. You could even set up a portable basking light for him to "recharge" under while he's out and about.
Sorry I’m rubbish with this, I hope I’m replying properly!
Thank you so much! I’m a new owner - can you tell!
He has eaten and pooped today, seems back to normal so I’m very pleased. Will upload photo to be safe!
I will try letting him out too, I did briefly but he scratched at the wall and I was scared I had panicked him.
Who woulda thought there could be so much love and worry over such a small lad!
Your basking temps and UVB are the two most important things in the tank --- what are you using for a UVB and does it have a reflector on it? Brand and bulb what tube a T 5 or a T 8
Karrie