Does she look malnourished?

[MamaBlue3]

We got our bearded dragon on 8/7/2019. She was about 6 in long so I assume she was 5-6 weeks old. Today she is 9 in long and 26G. She looks malnourished to me but she just doesn’t care about eating and never has. She will not eat vegetables or crickets. She will eat dubias but only 10 or less at the time. We were giving her water every other dag but I have started giving it everyday. I also bought some organic baby food that is only appropriate vegetables and water and have been giving her that(she loves it). Today I add a booster for sick or malnourished beardies just because she won’t eat ( it says it will boost appetite). She ate that well from a syringe also. The warmest spot on her basking area is 110F and the coolest side of the tank is 79F. I don’t have a reptisun but i do have a uvb that my local pet store (not a chain, hometown people) said was fine. I giver her baths a few times per week. Is there anything else I can do or another feeder that picky eaters seem to like best.

 

[KarrieRee]

What kind of UVB?? She should be eating on her own and you not force feeding thru a syringe--- brand and bulb of UVB please and where in the tank is it --- on top of screen or inside the tank ---
Karrie

 

[MamaBlue3]

I’m not sure of the brand. It’s a coil bulb. Its inside the tank probably 8 inches from the top of her basking area. I don’t force feed her i just kind of drip it like water on her lips and she takes it.

 

[KarrieRee]

Please get rid of the coil--- this is a big issue--- here is some info on UVB's
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--you need to replace this as soon ASAP --- this is why your dragon is not growing---- she has not been getting the proper UVB---
Karrie

 

[MamaBlue3]

I have a hood from when our tank was used for fish. Can I put the bulb in that hood?

 

[KarrieRee]

As long as it has a reflector on it ---- what size is it?
Karrie

 

[MamaBlue3]

I’m not sure but the full length of a 29 gallon tank so around 30 in.

 

[KarrieRee]

I would look at upgrading that tank a minimum size tank for a adult bearded dragon should be 40 gallon and even that is not big enough ----- you can look on FB market place in your area - craigslist or buy new there are several place to get new ones but you will pay for one--- I have a Zen Habitat that is 120 gallon --- it was $329 free shipping - you can visit that website and look at them but you need to get that UVB replaced --- I would look at getting a 24" fixture and just put it width wise over the tank w/ out the screen on til you figure out what size tank --- a 24" can go into a larger tank as well --- the bulb you can get is a either a T 5 or a T 8 -- those are strength of the bulb -- and distance from basking area plays a part on those bulbs--- how tall is the 30 gallon tank --?
Karrie

 

[MamaBlue3]

I think 18 inches. I am planning on having my husband build a 4x4x2 melamine vivarium once she gets bigger. The tank dwarfs her right now but I will check on the light.