Chomper is black, again.

[ReptarAndChomper11]

Chomper is about 9 months old...I haven't had many issues out of him until recent. I think there is a possibility that he may have pin worms so I will need to have him seen by a vet but also today his basking light burnt out so I went out and bought him a new one. It's a different brand than I bought before, its a ReptiHalogen bulb. And now he's turned his beard very black but when I took him out for a little bit to hang out, his beard slowly went back to regular. I put him back in his cage and he is black again. Do you think it's because he is too hot or just not used to that bulb? Maybe just having a bad day? He had this happen once before but it I think it was just a bad day. I know that male beardies turn their beard black but I was just concerned that maybe he was uncomfortable..

 

[diamc]

Moved here from Enclosure forum so that it can get the attention it needs in the most appropriate forum.

He looks very irritated and perhaps uncomfortable. Not only his beard is black but also his sides, back & tail. He also has stress marks on his belly as well as his eyes looking wild. Definitely not happy about something.

What size tank is he in and what is the wattage of the halogen bulb? What are the tank temps and most importantly, what type of thermometer are you using? What brand and type of UVB are you using and what is the distance of that particular bulb?

What makes you think he has pinworms? How has his appetite and activity level been?

Is he in view of another beardie?

 

[ReptarAndChomper11]

He's actually looking a little better at the moment but he looked pretty upset earlier. Anyways, I saw all of those signs as well but what was most shocking was how black he turned. He is alone in a 40b tank, he has been that way since August when we moved his brother to a different tank. He is on the opposite side of the room so not really in seeing range. I had a 100w bulb but I guess my thermometer isn't working because it said the tank was only 85 on the hot side so I took it back and got a 150w and it went up by about 10*. I think I need to get a new thermometer tho. I have a strip on the tank that says its between 95-100 in there. I guess it's more shopping tomorrow. I have a ReptiSun 10.0 uvb that has been fine.

I think he has pin worms because he's been having pretty bad diarrhea and it smells awful and he hasn't been to active. The lady at the vet office said it seemed like it was a possibility so I have to take him to get checked out. He still eats like normal but I don't give him as many crickets as I did before bc I heard it can be a source for pinworms. Instead he's been getting roaches, worms and stuff like that.

 

[diamc]

I would definitely say that you need a new thermometer, make sure you get a digital with a long wire & probe end or an infrared temp gun as those are the only ways to get accurate readings. Sounds like he over heated.

One of my tanks is a 40 breeder also and I only need a 60 watt basking bulb and a 25 watt on the cool side. Did you know that you can use standard household light bulbs and don't have to spend the extra $ on a reptile bulb? I suggest that you remove the 150 watt and replace with even a 75 watt household bulb for now until you find out what the true temps are. If the strip thermometer was reading 100 degrees, the basking spot had to be MUCH hotter. If you haven't given him a long bath, I would also suggest that to help him cool down and rehydrate.

Is the Repti-Sun 10.0 a strip fluorescent bulb? Is it less than 6 mo old?

Yes, crickets can certainly cause pinworms especially if the crickets aren't healthy ones to begin with like most petstores carry. Does sound like he has parasites, would be a good idea to have a fecal checked very soon.

Please be sure to keep us updated on how he is doing.