Dirty Beardie?

[beardielovers]

We just got an adult beardie about 2 weeks ago - still sorting out a name for him - that wasn't receiving the BEST care. We gave him his first baths in his life and he was in a REALLY dirty viv. There was sand substrate that looked as if it hadn't been changed in months. Totally disgusting! Anyway...at first we thought he was starting to shed. Now we wonder if he is just dirty. All the spots that have soaked really good in the water are "clean" and his color shows through. Areas around his legs, lower body, etc. His back and up towards his head are still really dull and it doesn't look any different than when we first got him.

His new home is up to standards - 4X2X2 viv with a 160W SolarGlo MVB. Basking temps around 90-102 and cool side temps around 85 or so. Temps are taken with a digital thermometer and probe. Newspaper/slate substrate (until we get full tile). He's eating bok choy greens with butternut squash, parsnip, yams, and other veggies from the beautiful dragon nutrition list. His main feeder right now are superworms until we get our roach colony going. As you can tell - we're hooked!!

So, would there be any reason other than just being dirty? If not, are there any ways to clean off his back better? He's still a little nervous with us - a bit black beard after handling or letting him out of his viv for a bit of freedom. I think some of this is new to him - the other owners had lots of dogs so he may not of had "run time" before. Anyway - any suggestions on getting some more of his colors to come out from behind the grey?

 

[TazzysMamma]

I would recommend just more baths. You can get a baby toothbrush and gently rub him with that. It should feel really good to him, and will help loosen up any dirt or retained shed.

I feel so sad when I hear about beardies being treated so badly. Im so glad you took him in.

HUGS

Sandi

 

[fresnowitte]

I agree with Sandi give lots of baths. You said he had been housed on sand. Okay it seems to me as if the sand really dries out their skin....it just sucks out their moisture. Making their skin thick and chalky.

Ms. Piggy had been housed on sand her entire life before we got her it took months for the dry, chalky, thick skin to finally shed. Also being on sand doesn't help with the parasite factor. When there are parasites present the shedding seems to not take place...or very little.

You mentioned the Solar-Glo....may I ask how you like that bulb?
I started out using PowerSun...for over a year now I've been using the Solar-Glo.
I could be wrong but it seems as if they put out more heat than the PowerSun an are a bit brighter.
I don't have the flash off an on going on anymore when I first turn the lights on either.

I'm sorry..............
Congratulations on the New Beardie!

Got Pic's? :wink:

 

[Freeie]

Zero was in bad shape when we got him aswell he smelled like poo because his carpet was smeared with it. His skin was a awfull bronish color. I bathed him 2 times that very first day in nice warm water and took the tooth brush (baby soft) and i went over evey inch of his body. Took over a week to get him to smell better. This is why he hated me so much he HATED his first bath so much i had claw marks from him wanting out. Im sure when he sheads for you for the first time he will look so much better. Grats on your new baby!!!

 

[ronni1221]

You may want to take him for a checkup at the vet. Bring a stool sample. If he was that dirty, I might be a little concerned that he's not in tip-top shape internally. Sand and poo aren't a good combo for beardie health.

The UVB, yummy greens and proper hydration will bring out his colors naturally. I think you may see a huge difference in a few weeks. If you have access to REAL sunlight, either from indoors or out, get him in the rays- it will improve his color alot, or so I've heard!

 

[beardielovers]

You mentioned the Solar-Glo....may I ask how you like that bulb?
I started out using PowerSun...for over a year now I've been using the Solar-Glo.
I could be wrong but it seems as if they put out more heat than the PowerSun an are a bit brighter.
I don't have the flash off an on going on anymore when I first turn the lights on either.

Got Pic's? :wink:

Well, the Solar-Glo is the first light we've ever used. I have no complaints with it yet. It seems to give enough heat for our enclosure and we don't need to supplement the cool side at all either. The only other light we use is an 18" tube flourescent for some extra white light for him.

The previous owners told us he just came out of brumation so we are assuming his fecal would be good. We could get one done though if it's still recommended.

Pics?? Yep, we've got some. Should I post them?? Totally joking...here are a few:

This is when we first got him - still in his old dirty enclosure.

Taken this afternoon. His Solar-Glo was off because our power was flickering (storm here) so only his flourescent light was on for this picture.

"Can somebody PLEASE take me out for a cuddle?!?!?"

That's his photo story so far...

 

[Freeie]

Awwww what a cutiepie!!! lookie at that belly! His tail is good and thick too thats a good sign. It kind of looks like he didnt finish sheading.