Dirty Mouth

[VogueStar]

My beardie has a little black near his mouth on one side, and the other side is irritated and his mouth "lips" kind of separate. Does he have mouth rot...? Ive noticed that his bedding (ground walnut shells currently) sometimes sticks to his lips so I wash it off as often as possible. He also rubs his face and body along the glass which I believe is why his mouth is separating on the one side. What could I do to get him to stop running along the glass? I plan to change his bedding to repti-carpet and tiles...but he really likes digging, Im lost as to what to do. I just want him to be okay!!

 

[jortiz9758]

You really should take him off that Walnut shell ASAP..it is the absolute worst thing you can have your dragon on.
Any chance you can take a picture of his mouth and show us.
Also what UVB bulb do you have him under and what are his tank temps?

 

[VogueStar]

this is him right after a bath... cant really take a good pic,... sorry

 

[Buggsy]

it looks like the fella has a case of MBD, what UVB light are you using, how old is it and also what calcium/vit suppliments are you giving?

 

[jortiz9758]

I am going to agree with Buggsy. His snout looks deformed.
Tell us what UVB bulb you use for him and how old it is.

 

[VogueStar]

Thank you for ur responses,I really appreciate ur help! It makes me so sad to hear this though. He has a 48' 10.0 uvb and he has a 75watt spot heat light and another 50watt red for night and he gets calcium 2week> When I first got my beardie (he was a baby) I was unaware that the uvb light was useless behind glass So perhaps thats why his snout looks deformed? His light (48' 10.0 uvb) now sits about 20inches away from him...is that still too far away? He has multiple areas to climb higher and get within 5-8inches away.

 

[jortiz9758]

Well you are correct in stating that UvB is useless behind glass. How old is the bulb? Fluorescent bulbs will only last about 6 months, so if it's also about as old your beardie it is no longer putting out any UVB, and you will need to purchase a new one.
The red light is not needed at all with beardies. They do see the color at night and it does disrupt their day & night pattern. If it gets really cold in the room it's in at night you can get a CHE ( ceramic heat emitter) which puts out heat only and no light at all.
They will do fine at night with temps down to about low 60's

 

[VogueStar]

Yeah I was rather upset to learn my poor guy wasnt getting his uvbs, with his light behind the glass. :study: But Ive done a lot more reading about them and have been trying to create an absolute prime dragon liar. The uvb is brand new maybe a months old I just replaced his old one, and I use the red for a back up heat, sometimes and nite in the winter and sometimes during the day to keep his whole cage up to temp. Should I take him to a vet..?