Concerned & Worried for Friend's beardie

[EmJagsz]

Hey guys, my friend has a beardie named Batina and as of today she isn't looking too good. I will try to tell you as much as I can from what I know.

He told me that last night she seemed fine, but this morning he noticed that she has gotten lethargic and has been keeping one eye closed. She is usually enthusiastic about her crix and salad but has not had any today.

She is about 7 months old and she is from pet smart. He is using a reptisun 10.0 but it is a little over 6 months old. He isn't able to buy a new one yet. The basking bulb is a 75w zoomed on a dimmer. She is in a 20 long tank with tile substrate. Temps are in the low 100s on the basking site and 82F in the cool side. Temps measured with digital probe thermometer and a temp gun.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Toyguy]

Sounds like a new ReptiSUN is needed. Lack of and/or bad UVB will cause poor digestion, low activity levels, eyesight issues, etc. Is he dusting the food with Calcium and vitamins? What size enclosure and what substrate is he using?

Dave

 

[admitchell08]

Hi all,

I am the friend that Michaela speaks of. I had her start this thread as I was out of the house running a few errands. Just to add one correction, she's keeping both eyes closed. Not just one.
I'm really worried about her. As stated before, she was acting just fine last night. And now this.

But I'm a little relieved (although not much) that she is actually moving around a bit. When I left the house earlier, she was on her log, basking. Now she is standing down on the floor, but still with her eyes closed.

I don't really know what other information I could give you about her that could help, but if you need to know anything else just let me know.

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

 

[admitchell08]

Sounds like a new ReptiSUN is needed. Lack of and/or bad UVB will cause poor digestion, low activity levels, eyesight issues, etc. Is he dusting the food with Calcium and vitamins? What size enclosure and what substrate is he using?

Dave

She is in a 20L with tile as substrate. And yes, the food is dusted with both calcium and vitamins.
I went to go buy a new ReptiSUN, but they were $50 and a local shop and not even sold at the big box stores here. Payday is Friday, so I will have to wait until then. I was thinking about taking her outside to soak in the natural sunlight for a little bit. Do you think this would help any?

 

[GlueStick]

So she's not opening them at all?

Are there any other symptoms? like crust around the eyes or mouth?

I know that you guys have a Reptisun 10, but I don't think the bulb is causing it. If it persists then I would recommend turning the light off for 2-3 days and se if she opens them or improves in any way. If not, then you've knocked out the its not the bulb. How far away from her basking spot is it?

 

[admitchell08]

She opens her eyes a little when I pick her up.

The only other symptoms are that she is acting pretty lethargic and did not want any of her salad this morning.

Other than that, no other physical symptoms.

And do you mean how far away her UV bulb is from her basking spot? The UV bulb runs across the entire length of the tank, so the basking bulb is right next to it. Her basking spot is about 6 inches from the top of the tank. But she usually basks a little lower than that. She just likes the higher spot to sleep on at night.

 

[karen1]

Reptisun 10.0 is only about $20.00 any length at petmountain.com. Even with shipping its alot less that the pet stores. I usually receive them within a few days. lllreptile.com is also about the same price.

 

[GlueStick]

She opens her eyes a little when I pick her up.

The only other symptoms are that she is acting pretty lethargic and did not want any of her salad this morning.

Other than that, no other physical symptoms.

And do you mean how far away her UV bulb is from her basking spot? The UV bulb runs across the entire length of the tank, so the basking bulb is right next to it. Her basking spot is about 6 inches from the top of the tank. But she usually basks a little lower than that. She just likes the higher spot to sleep on at night.

Yes, I meant how far is the bulb from her basking area? Like where she sits.

Hrm, I'm at a loss otherwise. I think that if this symptom persists I would take her to the vet. Lethary is more of my concern about the eye thing, even though the two could be linked. She could have internal parasites. Does her poo happen to be reeeeeaaaly stinky?

My Aussie had parasites around the age, which is pretty common, especially when you take a lizard from a colony of other dragons. It can have signs of lethargy, and when they don't feel good, I find that they lay around with their eyes closed and mouth agape. I would suggest a fecal exam be done by a vet. The treatment is easy, saying that that is the problem. Otherwise, I have no other advice XD

I hope the best for your little gal!

 

[gogga]

Is the repti sun a compact bulb or tube?

I know the compacts have known issues with beardies eyes and health causing them to become lethargic / closing eyes etc....
When you buy the new one get the Repti Sun 10.0 UVB Tube (Long enough to span the entire enclosure)

Also is the current lamp mounted inside the viv? On top of a screen shining in or on the outside of the glass?

I was thinking about taking her outside to soak in the natural sunlight for a little bit. Do you think this would help any?

Oh yes it will help. Nothing beats natural sunlight.
So I would try turning it off. Take her outside for AT LEAST 30 mins a day, no more than 1 hour at a time and provide shade if she gets too hot from the sun. That will be enough UVB as she gets from the lamp all day.