Concern related to eating and body measures

[nahuelarg86]

Hi, so I'm a little concerned about the health of my baby beardie. So he is like 4 or 4 1/2 months (the person whom I bought the beardie didn't know exactly).

-My first question is if his measures are ok for his age, he is 8.5 inches long from tip of the tail to tip of nose. His weight is 21 grams.
-Secondly, I read that babies bearded dragon usually eat like a ton 3 times a day, but mine only eats around ~10 crickets/roaches a day, 1st meal around 5, second meal around 5. Is this ok?
-Finally, I see him more fat/bloated every day, somebody said that he might be a fast growing dragon, but I just don't know. He poops every day as normal, sometimes a little sometimes a lot, always formed, never liquid or something like that. He doesn't touch his greens yet.

Today (after he ate a lot of roaches yesterday, only one big meal, like 10 in a single sitting, he didn't want to eat anymore the rest of the day) I felt him bloated like a balloon. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but just wanted to make sure by asking here because I know there are very knowledgeable people.

Here are some pics of today:

 

[saden99]

What size are the feeders compared to his head? When you read that a cricket (or any feeder for that matter) shouldn't be larger than the length between his eyes that means placing the feeder length wise (it's head on his nose and it's butt on the back of his head) rather than the literal distance between his eyes (which can be confusing). If they're too big they can cause an impaction, or perhaps in his case some distress.


First things first...


What type of UV light do you use?
How long are the lights on?
What are temperatures (basking and cool side)?
What type of substrate?


Bloating like a balloon is fairly normal as long as his belly isn't hardened when he is bloated. Rupert does this all the time usually when he's basking. And based on his size I'd say your estimation of his age is close if not spot-on.

 

[nahuelarg86]

What size are the feeders compared to his head? When you read that a cricket (or any feeder for that matter) shouldn't be larger than the length between his eyes that means placing the feeder length wise (it's head on his nose and it's butt on the back of his head) rather than the literal distance between his eyes (which can be confusing). If they're too big they can cause an impaction, or perhaps in his case some distress.


First things first...


What type of UV light do you use?
How long are the lights on?
What are temperatures (basking and cool side)?
What type of substrate?


Bloating like a balloon is fairly normal as long as his belly isn't hardened when he is bloated. Rupert does this all the time usually when he's basking. And based on his size I'd say your estimation of his age is close if not spot-on.

So he eats medium/small crickets/roaches (I'd say 1/2 inch or maybe less.) The size of the feeders is no longer that the space between his eyes (length wise like you said)
Here are the facts:

What type of UV light do you use? I use a ZooMed Powersun 100w
How long are the lights on? The Powersun is on 12 hours a day
What are temperatures (basking and cool side)? Basking temp: 105 - 110, Cool side: 70 - 75
What type of substrate? I use reptile carpet

He is pooping normally everyday, so I don't think it's an impaction, in fact today he pooped a large one.

 

[nahuelarg86]

Bump

 

[nahuelarg86]

Bump-bump

 

[AtlasStrike]

Have you had a fecal done? He doesn't have much body fat, so the distended belly could be from parasites. If that is the case, deworming will likely be followed by a rapid increase in appetite.

 

[nahuelarg86]

Have you had a fecal done? He doesn't have much body fat, so the distended belly could be from parasites. If that is the case, deworming will likely be followed by a rapid increase in appetite.

Thanks for your answer! I haven't done any fecal test, I don't know where to do it or how much it is.
Do you know how is the treatment for paracites?

 

[saden99]

How is the treatment? Did you mean how much?


Just call Vets in the area and ask if they deal with reptiles. I suggest finding a Vet that will do a Fecal without an examination (might not be able to find one) as you may end up doing them once a year or so (it's suggested to be done before your Beardie typically goes into brumation to ensure they don't have issues).

My Vet required one first exam before they run any Fecals, but now they'll do them without an exam prior. They still recommend bringing him in every 6 months or sooner if I can for an exam, but they seem overly expensive around here ($120 unless I drive for 2 hours then it's $85 or something...without the fecal of course).


One thing to keep in mind is that killing the parasites requires medication that can be uncomfortable for the beardie. If it IS parasites then you obviously need to get that taken care of, but be ready for possibly a couple weeks of babying your beardie while he recovers.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, it could be parasites. She does not have much of any body fat so she may not be absorbing her food very well.
Do you need help finding a herp vet? You can try www.herpvetconnection.com to help with finding a vet.
The feeders should stay smaller than the space between her eyes just to err on the side of caution. It is easier for them to digest appropriately sized feeders.
How old is the Powersun 100watt MVB?


Tracie

 

[nahuelarg86]

The powersun is like 2 weeks old. I just got the beardie and everything, that's way I'm thinking if I'm exaggerating on worrying about anything or if there is a real problem.
I don't have that experience to tell what is right or wrong in their behavior...

 

[nahuelarg86]

Well, some update. Today since he woke up, I saw him gulping, puffing out his beard and like swallowing air and getting bloated. He's also hiding a lot and like trying to sleep. He never did that so far :dontknow: