Beardy behaving strangely - scared, not eating

[Ninanoona]

Hi guys,

Jurassic Mark is about 8 years old. He had a pretty crappy start in life but I adopted him and he’s been doing pretty well ever since. Until a few days ago...

He recently woke up from brumination (ca 2-3 weeks ago). His hind legs were still twitching as usual (been going on for a few years, and yes, he’s seen several vets who all don’t seem too concerned) but he also started dragging them a bit- he still didn’t struggle running around the room every day and climbing his cave! I thought he may just need to top up on vitamins and UVB having been asleep for a while. Bathed him just in case to hydrate and move his bowels (which he did)- he only poops when bathed pretty much (again that’s been going on for years - vet’s not concerned). When I bathed him he drank a load of water like he does sometimes... he then ran around a bit before throwing up all the water! I was very worried and took him to the vet... the vet was very happy with him - no change in weight for 2 yrs (he’s a big boy), heart sounded fine, and he even pooped on the vets table. I then left him over Christmas (Viv is on a timer, plenty of salad by his tank, cold side of Viv slightly open as he will go insane if he can’t have a walk).

I came back yesterday evening and he was asleep outside his Viv (he always finds his way back home!!), I picked him up to put him in his cave and he puffed up and went black (maybe I scared him??)! He didn’t seem right, so I pooped him in his basking spot which was still on for another hour on the timer. He perked up a bit so we all went to sleep. This morning he was hiding under a log. Again I went to put him under his basking spot to make sure he’s alright and he hissed and went black again! He *never* gets upset with me handling him! This is very out of character! I just gave him another bath and some blended up veggies as he is refusing to eat his usual fave of locusts (I don’t have and baby food atm)... I also have him a bath which he wasn’t to angry about... he’s now back in the Viv but everytime I move or go near him he flinches, ready to hiss?

I have changed absolutely nothing in the tank, surrounding, my person... he’s been happy and healthy for 8 years and the vet was happy with him 5 days ago! I just don’t know what to do

 

[VenusAndSaturn]

Is your vet a certified reptile vet? If not then it could be the difference of life or death eventually for your beardie or any other reptiles you may get. Usually exotics vets have 0 training in reptiles and just look up stuff once they leave the room. They're just willing to see different animals other than cats or dogs.

He sounds like he definitely has a few things wrong, he could be in pain. And he almost most likely has Atadenovirus or ADV. Which twitching is a common thing with this disease. https://www.thespruce.com/atadenovirus-adv-in-bearded-dragons-1238407 this should give a bit more info on it. However you'd want a true certified reptile vet to check up with to make sure that it is or isnt this and is or isnt something else.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/
Can you please post a picture of him, his entire setup, his heating elements and his uvb.

 

[Ninanoona]

Hi and thanks for replying!

I uploaded some pictures - not sure if you will be able to see these? Sorry the Viv looks a bit small for him as I had to downgrade a few years back when I went back to university- but he gets to run around my room everyday!!

All the images have just been taken- he doesn’t lookparticulary “unwell” or black... it’s just his behaviour. I’m using an Arcadia Euro Range 10% + UVB lamp and an Arcadia solar basking spotlight 100W with UVA. His basking spot is at ca 110F. Dusting his locusts with Repti Calcium with D3 (Zoomed) and ARKVITS (VETARK) every feed (approx 3-4 x per week- he gets through about 3 tubs of 5th hoppers a week). I gut load them with greens (pea shoots, collard) as he’s picky with veg in his old age?

Ps I read over the link for that viral disease and I really don’t think that that’s what he had got. He’s had the shakes for 4 years... he’s seen several vets (as I move a lot) including specialist reptile vets.

The vet he saw on the 23rd Dec was a vet with interest in reptiles... I’m not sure how qualified that makes him. Is there a good list of reptile specialist vets around somewhere on here?

Thanks again,
Nina

 

[Ninanoona]

 

[Ninanoona]

 

[AHBD]

Hi Nina, J.Mark sounds like a sweet boy who found a good home with you. No pics showed up though..... be sure to use the XIMG to upload them after using the info that Venus linked for you.


But a few thoughts....some dragons will drink a lot + then vomit. They simply drink too much at once, and then in Mark's case you say he was running around so that may have contributed. Don't let him drink quite so much at once. Anytime he eats or drinks he should be in his tank with the heat for at least 1-2 hours before allowed to roam.

And if you allow him outside of his tank while you are away he may have had some type of scary experience or may even have eaten something small off of the floor.....rubber bands, coins, tinsel, tiny plastic toys , etc. are all things that beardies have eaten that were posted about on the forums here.

So just keep an eye on him, it may be a passing thing [ his behavior ] but if he looks unwell for very long then you might want to have him given a thorough exam.

 

[AHBD]

Oh, the pics did show up before I posted my last response, sorry about that. Your set up is great, I love the huge basking/climbing log. Your lights are good but it's actually best to mount them from above....light coming directly from the side can bother their eyes quite a bit.

 

[Ninanoona]

Thanks! I’m definitely keeping an eye on him! I just wish he didn’t flinch everytime I go to handle him! It’s so out of character! I palpated his tummy earlier and it didn’t look like he was in any pain. His mouth looks fine (didn’t look infected or like he had mouthrot) I even listened with my stethoscope (med student perks) 1 but couldn’t really hear much apart from his heart. Maybe he’s just really annoyed I left him alone over Christmas?!

 

[Ninanoona]

I’ve just ordered a new UVB lamp as well (just in case) and some VETARK Reptoboost so I can cram those vitamins into him via a bath...

 

[AHBD]

O.K, just so you know, the Reptabost must be given orally, not in the bath. All nutrients must go in through the mouth.

 

[Ninanoona]

Okay thanks! A vet once told me if they’re sick and you bathe them in it they absorb via the vent .. obviously you need to rinse them off thoroughly afterwards... but yeah, I’ll try by mouth. Thanks again.

He’s still looking very grumpy btw and still hasn’t eaten? installing the new uv light now and trying some reptoboost.