First time post... Sick 9 month old beardie

[Sam84]

Hi guys.
This is my first time owning a bearded dragon. Have owned godzilla around 9 months now.
Never really had any problems apart from the last 2-3 weeks he's gone very lethargic. Completely off his fruit and veg, and way down ( although not totally off) his insects
He's temps are stable with 90degrees at hot and and 75-80 at cool end.
I bought his uv light last Christmas but the guy in the shop ( who was a genuine reptile lover and seemed very knowledgeable) said the one I bought is good for a year!?
Just starting to worry abit about this little guy. Any information would be massively appreciated
Happy to submit piccys if needed
Thank you so much!
Sam

 

[Sam84]

Forgot to add he's last poo was on Sunday but he went 10 days without pooing before that! Also I genuinely can't remember the last time he shedded!? Not sure if that means anything!!?

 

[CooperDragon]

Some photos may be helpful to assess his overall condition. You can upload them here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and add them using the XIMG button.

What are you using to measure your temperatures? If they are accurate readings I suggest boosting the basking site temp up to 100-110 with some areas of 90s around that and keeping a cool side the same at 75-80. The higher temps will help with digestion and overall health.

Proper UVB exposure is also pretty critical. Which brand and size UVB light are you using? A T5 tube would likely last a year, as would a good Mercury vapor bulb. Not all of them are created equally though.

 

[Sam84]

Please find a picture of godzilla
His thermometer
His overall setup
And his uv light ( which I'm sorry I honestly can't remember the make or model of it!)

Thank you so much for your help

 

[CooperDragon]

The first thing I'd do is pick up an IR temp gun or a digital thermometer with a probe so your temperature readings are more accurate. Those dial thermometers don't read the surface temps and are known to be fairly inaccurate. You'll want the basking area on top of the habba hut to be around 100-110 with the carpet around it in the 90s and the cool side to be 75-80.

I'm not sure if your basking bulb is a MVB or not by looking at it. How far away is it from the top of the habba hut? It looks pretty close in the photo but it could just be the angle.

The tube light on top looks like a dual T8 bulb. Is that what you're using for UVB? Does the bulb have a brand stamped on it? If it is a T8 UVB light, the optimal distance for it is about 6-8'' above the basking spot (habba hut in this case). The T8 bulbs should be replaced every 6 months or so as their output deteriorates. It may be time for a replacement.

He looks a little on the skinny side but generally pretty good. Once you have the temperatures determined and adjusted as needed, you may want to bring him outside for some natural sunlight if the weather permits it. The natural UV rays will do him some good.

What are the dimensions of your tank LxWxH?

 

[Sam84]

First of all thank you so much for all this!!

Something has just hit me...

I've recently changed his viv around! So in the pictures above he's basking branch use to be underneath his heat lamp but as his grown it was becoming abit of a squeeze. So I've put his hut there instead. It's a 50w bulb too. Is that too low wattage!? Could this be the problem!?!?

 

[CooperDragon]

It comes down to temperatures. If you get an accurate reading at the basking site it should be between 100-110. If it's not reaching that temp you need a higher wattage basking bulb.

 

[Sam84]

That's probably it then! His basking area is showing at just under 90! To low huh??
Thank you so much

 

[CooperDragon]

Yep, I'd boost that with a higher wattage bulb. You can put it on a lamp dimmer if you need to cut power a little bit to get it into the 100-110 range.

 

[Sam84]

I'll sort that ASAP.
The one in there is a komodo 50w bulb.
Shall I simply just bump up to 75?
Or is there a particular make that's best to go for??

 

[CooperDragon]

I've had good luck with the ZooMed Repti Basking Spot lamps. I've used 150 but 100 may work for you, hard to say for sure without testing it.

 

[Sam84]

Ok Great!
If you go back to my pictures... He likes to spend most his time right up the top of the middle branch Sitting right underneath his uv light.
It's this a possible sign of something or simply just he likes sitting in that position maybe? Sorry if I'm over thinking things!

 

[CooperDragon]

He probably just likes being close to the UVB light.

 

[Sam84]

Just picked up a prorep 60w basking spot lamp.
Let's give this a whirl

 

[Sam84]

His temp Is now sitting on just under 100 degrees now. That about right??