Hasn't eaten right for 3 months - very strange habits

[Roxyrox]

I'm not sure where the "apricot" baby food came from. This is what I had said:

Since she's not eating much, she's not getting the supplements she needs. A beardie under 1 yr old should be getting calcium with D3 but phosphorus-free 5 days a wk and vitamins the other 2 days a wk.Have you tried mixing the supplements in some water or diluted juice to see if she will lick it off her nose? Another way to get it into her would be to mix it in squash, green bean or pea baby food with a little chicken or turkey baby food for protein and diluted with a little water to thin it. Increasing the baths to 3 to 4 times a wk would also be a good idea.

I also wanted to mention that going from a 45 watt bulb to a 90 watt is a big jump. If you were getting a temp of 95 with the 45 watt, the temps must be a lot higher now. Did you double check them? What are the basking & cool side temps now?

How old is the Repti-Sun bulb? Have you ever had his fecal checked for parasites? Does he like being held? How is he acting now that you increased his tank temps?

You know, I was in the store and I just remembered a lot of advice in these forums regarding apricot baby and thats just what stuck. They're cheap, I'll get the ones you recommended tomorrow.

I have that T-rex supplement that I mixed with it. I'll make sure it's phosphorus free. It has both d3 and calcium

Is there a more efficient way to get him to eat than putting drops on his nose?

I'm getting temps of 113 now directly underneath the 95 watt bulb, but I could go to 75. He basks in it, and when he's not basking, he leans against the basking brick. He pretty much does that on and off.

Repti Sun is 2 months old. I got it before this issue started.

He's fine with being held. He'll sit on my shoulder, and on Christmas I had him out for the whole family. He's a very nice creature, has always liked me. Gets a little jumpy if someone else tries to get close, so I think he recognizes me or my movements.

No fecal tests as of yet. Anywhere to get home kits?

**EDIT** I forgot to mention, I have bricks stacked in there. They're 8"x8"x3". I stack them 2 high so he's 6" closer to the light. Thats how I got my temps with the 45 watt, and how he gets closer to the UBV. If he finds it too hot, I can take bricks out which lower the temps about 7 - 10 degrees in that specific spot.

I monitor temps 4 - 5 times a day, I never let him fry or freeze. Cool side does get cold, like 70 degrees. Thats the second reason I keep the black light on 24/7 now.

 

[Roxyrox]

If you put the tank in your bedroom, and buy a screened lid for over the top of it, the cat won't be able to get to him to annoy him. The cat may try for a couple of nights, but they give up pretty quickly when they find that it doesn't work. I've got three beardies, each in their own tank, and four cats, and while they were a novelty at first, now that the cats have found out that they can't get to them, they pretty much ignore them entirely now.

As far as your not being able to keep him in the house, how would your landlord know, unless he or she comes in and snoops around when you aren't at home, especially if the tank is in your room? If his tank is kept clean, and you remove his waste every day, as soon as possible after finding it, there shouldn't be any noticable odor from his tank. You could also get a bottle of Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover at your local Pet Store, and wipe the area where he's gone with that, which will keep the tank from smelling. Your cat's litter pan will smell much worse than your beardie's tank ever could, if you keep it clean!

I really think that a lot of the problems that you're having with this little guy can be fixed just by putting him somewhere in the house, other than in the garage. Unlike most other reptiles, beardies are social creatures, and they thrive on the love and attention that they get from spending time with their owners. Beardies do best when their tanks are placed in a busy area of the house, where there is lots of human activity. By keeping him in the garage, you aren't providing human companionship for him, and while he may become physically healthy for you eventually, I doubt if he will ever be mentally healthy, or very happy, if he's denied this human contact with you. Also, you're gypping yourself out of a wonderful relationship with him, if you continue to keep him in the garage. He needs to be with you, not stuck out in the garage by himself all the time.

If I were you, I would approach your landlord again, and explain the health problems that you're having with him, because of having to keep him in the garage. Perhaps they might reconsider, especially if you can show them that there will be no odor in the house because of his tank. If they allow you to have a cat, which uses a litter pan, that smell is far worse than the once daily (if that) smell of a teaspoonful of beardie waste. It can't hurt to explain the circumstances and ask, in any case.

Personally, if you can't move him into the house, then my advice to you woule be, if you care about him at all, then re-home him with someone who can keep him indoors and give him the daily companionship that he needs. You want not only a healthy beardie, but a happy beardie as well, and I doubt that you're ever going to have the latter if you continue to keep him out in the garage!

I live with my brother, he owns the house. While I disagree that a cat smells more than a lizard (because they clean themselves and the litter covers the odor), I do agree with everything else youre saying and I will do my best to follow your advice. I may need to consider finding myself a more solitary reptile like a gecko, but the background behind this lizard inclines me to keep it. The cat actually brought him in one day unharmed, which is strange because she eats lizards head to tail. Probably some neighbors pet that got away. I've been taking care of it since.

I've always considered bringing him outside where he can look at the outside world and hang out when we all go on the patio, but I can't think of a way to safely do it this time of year.

I digress - I'll bring him in my room and see how that works out tomorrow.

 

[munchkins9802]

well since I grew up with cats, and have owned a lizard for 1 yr now I must disagree with you that cats smell less than a lizard. The only way that is possible is if you dont clean out the lizards poop daily or are using calci sand that harbors bacteria and such. is it possible that your brother just doesnt like reptiles?

Anyway, I am glad to see that you are following the advice people are giving you on here. And the babyfood that seems to be enjoyed by the beardies is butternut squash. For acceptable foods go to beautifuldragons

 

[Roxyrox]

well since I grew up with cats, and have owned a lizard for 1 yr now I must disagree with you that cats smell less than a lizard. The only way that is possible is if you dont clean out the lizards poop daily or are using calci sand that harbors bacteria and such. is it possible that your brother just doesnt like reptiles?

Anyway, I am glad to see that you are following the advice people are giving you on here. And the babyfood that seems to be enjoyed by the beardies is butternut squash. For acceptable foods go to beautifuldragons

My brothers an *******, there's no way that lizard is getting in the house besides staying in my room which is fine. I need to pick my battles carefully cause they turn into war.

I have tile substrate and it smells to holy hell when that lizard poops. I'm not around 24/7 to clean his presents, so is there any alternative like washed sand that would help me clean and cover the odor?

The issue at hand is that it is not eating. I will follow the advice given and report with an update. I still am curious if any experts here know why the lizard will only eat after lights out?

Thx

Roxyrox

 

[vickson420]

Ok so then you say his poop is really stinky and he was rescued from outdoors?This actually can explain a great deal.You see while lizard poop is not exactly pleasant of scent it is also really not bad at all UNLESS there is a parasite issue.Now if that issue is bad enough not only will the poop smell like the most god awful thing on earth and linger but it will also seriously effect their gut flora thus affecting the appetite. I strongly recommend a fecal ASAP as this is something curable fairly easily but meds are required.Many vets will just test the sample w/o having to bring the animal in but not all.

 

[Roxyrox]

What does this test cost and can it be done at home? What do the meds cost?

 

[MissT]

What does this test cost and can it be done at home? What do the meds cost?

Unless you have a super good microscope, all the solutions etc needed to do a fecal test and charts on identifying worms, then, no, it cant be done at home. But that will take a lot of money and then a lot of time trying to actually accurately carry out the tests.

If you can find a pet lab that does tests for the public then you might be able to get a kit to send off a fecal to them altho that is still quite expensive and they are unlikely to give any veterinary advice so you will have to go to the vet anyway for meds etc.

If you take a sample to the vet, they will be able to identify the parasite and then prescribe and dose the meds correctly.

Based on your description, I do believe there is a high chance that your beardie has a parasite. You really do need to get it checked out by a vet, ASAP as that could solve all of these issues

 

[Roxyrox]

Now the cage is in my room and all he wants to do is get out of the cage. I guess it's a step, he's active, but if he's not asking he's cage dancing back and forth.

Any ideas? Temps are 120 on the basking spot, 80 on the cool. Temps fluxuate -5 degrees

 

[MissT]

Any ideas? Temps are 120 on the basking spot, 80 on the cool. If anyone says it should be 115 I'm gonna let the thing loose, it's not a princess.

No, maybe not a princess, but a living breathing animal that you have taken in and have a responsibility for. If you are not prepared to look after him/her, perhaps consider giving him/her to someone who is. Rather than turning him/her loose, offer him/her in the for free section on this site - there are lots of people around on here looking for a beardie who they can treat like a princess. If you dont like that idea, maybe try to find an animal rescue centre near your home or even hand him in at a vets.

 

[vickson420]

I am not sure what you meant by the princess comments but regardless here it is, 120F most definately will cause desire to escape the heat.I NEVER recommend anything past 110F and for sub adults and juvies for an adult I wouldnt go past 105F.Dial the temps down a bit and see where you go with that.Also if I remember correctly your therm didnt have a probe right? When I am referring about those temps I am referring to surface temp so if that is you air temp you are dangerously high.

 

[Roxyrox]

Ok, if he doesn't see progress in a week I'll post an ad here and see if anyone in San Diego wants a beardie.

Thx everyone for the advice

 

[Roxyrox]

Im kidding about the princess comment thats why I changed it. I forgot who I'm posting to and that theres no tone to our comments, just words which can be misinterpreted. I know you're all very protective of these animals, and I'm just frustrated because I devote so much time, money and care to this animal and it's still having issues.

I changed the bulb to a 57 watt and he's chillin at 105 degrees. Still running around the cage, but even the fact that he's moving is progress.

 

[MissT]

Ok, if he doesn't see progress in a week I'll post an ad here and see if anyone in San Diego wants a beardie.

Thx everyone for the advice

You could put the feelers out now - make a post regarding the possibility and that way, if people show an interest, you will have a solid starting point if things down work out and can just PM those who showed an interest.

Just out of interest... whats his/her name?

Im kidding about the princess comment thats why I changed it. I forgot who I'm posting to and that theres no tone to our comments, just words which can be misinterpreted. I know you're all very protective of these animals, and I'm just frustrated because I devote so much time, money and care to this animal and it's still having issues.

Yep, my Kazi is my little Prince and Phoebe is not far off being my little Princess hehe!! I honestly do think tho that a fecal could help you solve a lot of her issues and that way you will be able to really start moving forward.

Thats good that you got the temps down - perhaps all the new sights and sounds are making her more active - she could be just being inquisitive. Or, perhaps, it is warmer than what shes been used to and shes still adjusting to it.

 

[Roxyrox]

Here's some pics of him now and how its set up.










You can see he has crickets in front of him. He looks at them, but doesn't go for it.

If this is something that requires vet visits and expensive medications then I really dont have the time or money to deal with it. If someone could direct me to the adoption page I'll put an ad out in SD if things dont turn around.

 

[baby_geek]

Another thing to consider with him living in the garage... if there is a car that is parked in there that is driven regularly then he could be getting carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide would be expelled by the car and because it is heavier than air could become trapped in his tank like a bowl. It could be just poisoning him.

Just a another consideration...