hello, benny has not been eating much/at all the last week or 2 iv been using baby food and have fed him a few crickets which he wasnt happy about. right now hes just slumped down on his log next to his basking area not keeping his head up either. his breathing can get really fast at times as well and looks like hes taking big breaths. he does get active and run around from time to time just want to know if anything could be up.
his set up:
basking spot 100-110 (sun glo 150w)
uvb is an arcardia 12, he gets to about 8 inches from it and it also has a reflector.
has a hide
water bowle bath for 15-20 mins about 5 times a week
calcium on crickets 5 times a week the other 2 days he gets nutrobal
hes 15 inches head to tail not sure on weight but hes not lost any YET
one thing i would like to know is what should the humidity level be?
Humidity levels for bearded dragons should be between 20-40%, as a rule for safe levels. Anything too low (>10%) and his hydration will decrease at more accelerated rates. Anything too high (<50%) mold, fungus and mildew can naturally grow. Bathing 5 times a week is too often, I would cut the bathing down, for now, to no more then 2 times a week and cut the time down as well, to 5-10 minutes each time. The reason is a concern from you saying his breathing can get fast and deep. This may indicate an RI (respiratory infection). Cutting down on hydration is not a cure to the infection but, can help the situation. Proper antibiotics will treat the infection. At this time it may be best to consult a local exotic vet, if the concern of RI is appropriate. It is vital to monitor the humidity of the enclosure as health risks can come without the proper levels (stated above).
Are you using a calcium dust that also provides D3? What is the dragons diet consist of?
the humidity level in the tank is 40% no idea how to get it to come down unless i remove the water... but he wants that so.... grrr.
ill cut doen the bathing to 2 times a week for 5-10 mins. i did think of RI but wasnt all that sure so now you said it as well ill try get on top of it.
it does provide d3 and he has crickets, calci-worms and a few wax worms as a treat, by the way he will always eat the worms. just the crickets he wont eat.
he went for some crickets today only 2-3 which is better than none i guess. hes not done his fast heavy breathing yet today. but im guessing he will do it at some point today.