Help! Beardie twisting and always looking up

[Beardeddragon3]

Ok my 7 inch beardie is always looking up and flipping over! Twisting too... What is wrong? He has a UVB and dust with calcium three times a week. help please..

 

[zooeymama]

I've read of this happening before and it seems to have been linked to a bad UVB bulb. Apparently most of the ones on the market don't function correctly (too little, too much etc UVB) and the best bulbs to have are the linear (not coil) ReptiSUN (not Glo) 10.0 bulbs. Seems once they shut that UVB off their beardie starts improving within the day and then they switch the bulb to the ReptiSun and their beardie just continues to get better.

I could be wrong. So if you can tell us what his tank temps are (basking, cool side etc), what kind of substrate he is on, what brand of light he has as well as coil or linear and how old it is, what he eats, whether he gets baths and how often- these are the usual questions the more experienced bd owners ask and it helps them narrow down what might be going on.

 

[Beardeddragon3]

Temps- 85ish and 68 at night. I have basking on off because he gets sun heat from window, and he's in a ten gallon and it might overheat. He's on newspaper. I'm not sure what brand of UVB but it's not coil. He eats collared greens, carrots, sometimes banana. For insects, crickets. I give him a bath once a week.
thanks I'll look into a different UVB bulb. :wink:

 

[HaleyMaree]

I would get a probe thermometer because then you could get a reallly accurate temps and then I would raise the temps up to the hundreds!

~haley

 

[MissT]

Temps- 85ish and 68 at night. I have basking on off because he gets sun heat from window, and he's in a ten gallon and it might overheat. He's on newspaper. I'm not sure what brand of UVB but it's not coil. He eats collared greens, carrots, sometimes banana. For insects, crickets. I give him a bath once a week.
thanks I'll look into a different UVB bulb. :wink:

The name of the bulb should be stamped on the end. If its not then chances are it isnt a great bulb.

Also, he should be getting calcium (with D3) 5 times per week and a multivitamin 2 times per week.

 

[my1stBD]

Not to freak you out, but i have read about "stargazing". It is NOT common in beardies but it can happen. And from your original post the symptoms described is present with "stargazing" also
Here is some info on it, read it and see if any other symptoms mentioned is present in yours.

Stargazing describes an unusual body position that is seen in some reptiles, which suffer from a disease or injury that inhibits the normal function of the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord). This, in turn, causes the affected reptiles to twist their heads and necks and look upwards towards the sky. Stargazing is not a disease in and of itself, but is a symptom of other disorders.

A stargazer’s bizarre posture is certainly its most noticeable symptom, but depending on the underlying cause, other problems may also be evident, including:
•Difficulty moving
•Disorientation
•Depression
•Tremors
•Seizures
•Inability to roll off their backs and into a normal position

 

[Beardeddragon3]

:shock: Is stargazing deadly? How do I get rid of it!!? I will probably get a new uvb soon.
Thanks for the help
Bearded dragon3

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

We do need the name/brand of your UVB light. Chances are, you may not have a good one.
Stargazing is usually caused by either a viral issue, dehydration, inner ear problems, or nutritional problems.
What is the humidity in your tank?

A 10 gallon tank is pretty small, how large is he?
Do you use a digital probe or a temp gun to measure his temperatures?
How often do you use calcium for him?

Tracie

 

[GlueStick]

Temps- 85ish and 68 at night. I have basking on off because he gets sun heat from window, and he's in a ten gallon and it might overheat. He's on newspaper. I'm not sure what brand of UVB but it's not coil. He eats collared greens, carrots, sometimes banana. For insects, crickets. I give him a bath once a week.
thanks I'll look into a different UVB bulb. :wink:

You mentioned that you keep him by the window? This can cause severe dehydration and/or central nervous system damage. Seeing that you mentioned that the tank tends to overheat in combination with the size of the tank, I wouldn't be surprised. It is difficult to say if his symptoms are curable.

Hello,

We do need the name/brand of your UVB light. Chances are, you may not have a good one.
Stargazing is usually caused by either a viral issue, dehydration, inner ear problems, or nutritional problems.

Tracie

And I have to agree with Tracie. Stargazing can be a product of any one or combination of ailments. Your best bet at the moment is to remove the tank from the window, soak him in just slightly above lukewarm water for 15 minutes, update your thermometers and UVB bulb, and get him a vet appointment asap.

 

[Beardeddragon3]

His UVB is 8.0 repti glo. 15watt. He's 7 inches. Is that too big for a ten gallon? I mist 2 or 3 times a day. I'm not sure what the humidity is, but my guess is 40ish.
:study: thanks

 

[Beardeddragon3]

Temps- 85ish and 68 at night. I have basking on off because he gets sun heat from window, and he's in a ten gallon and it might overheat. He's on newspaper. I'm not sure what brand of UVB but it's not coil. He eats collared greens, carrots, sometimes banana. For insects, crickets. I give him a bath once a week.
thanks I'll look into a different UVB bulb. :wink:

The name of the bulb should be stamped on the end. If its not then chances are it isnt a great bulb.

Also, he should be getting calcium (with D3) 5 times per week and a multivitamin 2 times per week.

He's getting calcium 4 times.. What it multivitamins?
Never heard of them..

 

[mistygirl]

10 gallon seems a bit on the small side (more for little baby beardies). Try to find a place that knows about reptiles when you upgrade your tank size. I have a log cave, climbing log, water dish, food dish and a rock cave. My beardie is full grown but on the small side and she is in a 75 gallon. She loves to bask, but also to have room to move around and climb her log and rock cave. The rock cave is one piece and she doesn't fit in the hole so I have an extra large hollowed out log thing I got in the reptile supply place I shop. I have a 10.0 UVB, a basking light, night light (blue not red) and I always use Repti-sun. I am fortunate to have a reptile/fish only pet store they were and are very helpful. I was a novice when I first got my girl 2 years ago. Also, look in your area for a vet that specializes/treats reptiles. This is not always an easy task. I have to travel almost an hour for a vet. I also use a ceramic heat emmitter in the winter months to make sure the temp stays nice and toasty for my girl.

 

[Cath1068]

10 gallon seems a bit on the small side (more for little baby beardies). Try to find a place that knows about reptiles when you upgrade your tank size. I have a log cave, climbing log, water dish, food dish and a rock cave. My beardie is full grown but on the small side and she is in a 75 gallon. She loves to bask, but also to have room to move around and climb her log and rock cave. The rock cave is one piece and she doesn't fit in the hole so I have an extra large hollowed out log thing I got in the reptile supply place I shop. I have a 10.0 UVB, a basking light, night light (blue not red) and I always use Repti-sun. I am fortunate to have a reptile/fish only pet store they were and are very helpful. I was a novice when I first got my girl 2 years ago. Also, look in your area for a vet that specializes/treats reptiles. This is not always an easy task. I have to travel almost an hour for a vet. I also use a ceramic heat emmitter in the winter months to make sure the temp stays nice and toasty for my girl.

Beardies dont need a night light as it disrupts their sleeping. If you need additional heat at night you should get a ceramic heat emitter. I also agree with Tracy and when you get him a new uvb make sure you get a reptiSUN 10.0 linear bulb.....no coils. When I got Tigger as a tiny baby he started out in a 29 gallon tank and he is now sharing a split 150 gallon with my other male Jax.

 

[GlueStick]

How is the little guy doing? Have you done anything or seen improvement?

Whether it is a faulty UVB, mechanical bodily damage, dehydration, or nervous system issue due to overheating/genetics/etc, the problem must be addressed by a veterinarian because it is improper to assume that anyone here can diagnose the issue. Stargazing is a serious and sometimes fatal ailment. Work on correcting your husbandry issues (invest in a larger tank (40gal+) after the vet diagnoses (10 gallons are impractical for most reptiles. It is very difficult to obtain a thermal gradient appropriate for any type of reptile in such a small environment), move the tank AWAY from the window IMMEDIATELY, buy a proper UVB (ReptiSUN 10.0) when you are able, soak him or dropper water for rehydration immediately, obtain proper supplements (REPCAL calcium w/vit D3 and multivitamins) when you have the chance, and reestablish proper tank temperatures using the correct lighting and thermometers) and have him seen by a vet as soon as possible.

Then let us know how it goes =)

 

[GlueStick]

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