help before check up tomorrow

[Lozza]

Hi everyone.

So Mushu my beardie is approximately 3-4 months old. He had a dodgy start in live, I got him from petstock in oz and we had a world of troubles getting him to eat. He now eats a good healthy diet of crickets as a staple and has grown to love his veggies. He now eats his veggies with as much gusto as his crickets, never thought id see the day!

Anyway after lots of research and changes made to his home, I think we are on the right track. He especially seemed to love the uvb light change from a reptiglo to a reptisun 10.0. I've got his temps the best that I can due to the temps here in Darwin.

I'm not sure if its related but since we have started to enter the dry season he has started to put himself to bed earlier and earlier. This past week he has been chilling all sleepily under his hide around 2 hrs earlier than lights off and just last night hunkered down even earlier than that. Lights were set on at 9am off at 2300. 14 on/10 off. Due to his choosing I'm currently doing more of a 9-9 now but even still he puts himself to bed early.

His appetite has decreased a bit but he is still eating plenty enough. His basking still til the evening and remains active but just a bit less than usual. He has been having wetter stools most everyday, but I'm not sure if this is a possible parasite or not. There may be correlation to his wetter stools and his increase in veggies. His urates look good to me but I'm no expert. he doesn't appear to be loosing weight. He is in pre shed I would guess from the colour change on his head and torso. Having said that, sheds have never affected his appetite or activity levels before.
hmmmm

Anyway I have called around the local vets today and we have a reptile vet (yay!) but she is out of town. Another place I called gave me the number of someone who has a particular interest in reptiles and has come recommended.
So, she is coming by tomorrow to give my little Mushu a thorough check up and perform a faecal if he graces us! I'm stoked she is coming to my house, less stress on Mushu and on myself worrying about him and she can check out his set up for me.
I can't wait to get some answers.

Any advice for me ? or questions I should ask when the vet comes?


QUICK LOOK

3-4 months
poohs daily
crickets and veggies
going to bed earlier and earlier
unformed stools
alert and active

 

[kingofnobbys]

He sounds fine to me , initial problems were likely relocation stress , they often go off the food in their first week or so and take a week or two settle into the new environment (home, tank, people and new schedule for feeding and lighting).

The wetness on the poos is more likely coming from the greens and veg (high moisture content), so he's very definitely well hydrate from what you say.

BTW I'm in NSW.
My two 6 month olds are doing similar things , going to bed well before my lights time off (they get 15 hour days) and often come back out their hides about our diner time - little TV addicts love to watch their fav show , or to ask for mom or dad time. I leave the heat and lights on the full 15 hours each day, in case they want to bask after their afternoon/eve nap.

 

[Lozza]

Thanks for your reply
That was my next question. Should I turn the lights off when he snuggles down early or keep them on? From what I've seen, once his settled, his settled. I liked him on the 9-2300 because I work shifts and it meant that I got home in time to have sleepy snuggles now I cant because he is starting to sleep in his hide rather than on his basking spot so I cant get to him easily.

His generally a bit grumpy right now too, but that could be pre shed. Because of this he hasn't been out or held nearly as much as he used to. He just doesn't seem to want too. Hoping its just a phase. I really want to build a good bond with this little guy. He used to come out for evening snuggles :-(
I know he trusts me some because he happily eats from my fingers all the time <--- lazy thing.

Yeah, I try to keep the veggies moist and spray them once with treated water because he doesn't drink anything else. He hates me dropping water on his nose and I swear purposefully doesn't lick it up and does not drink in the bath ever. In fact he is not keen on baths. I manage to bath him once a week most of the time.

What are you beardies called? I'd love to hear about them. Are they a little less active as well?

 

[kingofnobbys]

You can get them out of their hide while they are sleepy, you'll find they'll really snuggle into your chest tummy crook-of-elbow then , I tend now it's getting cool to lift front of my T-shirt up over their bodies and just leave the head out (like they are in bed) or I'll drape the baggy arms on my fleecy hoody over them same deal.
Best time to give a little hatchling or juvie a snuggle is when it's got a full tummy and is sleepy/relaxed.

Big girl (3.5 years old) Rex (was a live wire, now very much into snuggles).
Two little ones (now 6 months old) Peppa (girl , very much into snuggles and very smoogy) and Toothless (boy , a real live wire , starting to appreciate snuggles and a nice tummy tickle).

None of my beardies get bathed very often, I'm of the opinion that they only need a bath if
--- they are too hot
--- they've soiled themselves
--- to help with mild impaction (with tummy rub)
--- they are injured (open wound) a soak in very dilute betadiene solution to keep infection of the wound at bay.
In fact my two little ones have only had a couple of baths (had them since they 5 weeks old).

 

[Lozza]

so the vet has been and seen Mushu. Turns out he is more than likely a she ! Lucky she has a unisex name.

She got a clean bill of health! so happy Just need to wait on the faecal results but all is well in Mushu's world so far.

The vet checked out my set up and was really happy with everything.
I really felt like she knew her stuff as well from the questions she was asking. She knew reptisun was the best and knew all the right veggies they should eat and how many live feeders. She used to work at territory wild life park and has her own beardie called cactus. She was really happy with Mushu!
the little stinker chose today to have a full shed so she wasn't even looking her best.

We measured her and shes a good 16inches with a weight of approx. 128 < --- wouldn't stay still!


its so nice to hear that I'm actually doing things right.
So now because of the length I'm inclined to think Mushu is more a long the 4 month mark.

How long are you little 6 month olds?

 

[kingofnobbys]

That's good to hear. Keep up the good work.

When they are really little it's like a skin explosion when they shed, as they get older the frequency of shedding reduces and they tend to shed in dribs and drabs (different area at different times).

I don't know how long Peppa and Toothless are , as I never measure their length, I think weight is a better indicator of growth with them.

Here's all about my two babies Peppa and Toothless.viewtopic.php?f=6&t=221328

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....just thought I'd drop in. I was wondering if that was correct or a typo, is she 16" and 128 grams ? If so that's quite a bit on the light side. She should be in the 200+ gram range at the very least. Maybe I read that wrong ? And as for cuddling with you, it really should not be after a large meal....the higher temps. in the tank help with proper digestion and the beardie would probably desperately try to get in the warmest under arm or neck area because it's seeking out as much warmth as possible, not out of affection. They are not comfortable in a 70-80 F room as we are, only for short periods without supplemental heat. And if you want to put a few pics of her here, include one with the tail arched high up in case you want a second opinion on Mushu's gender.

 

[Lozza]

Hi AHBD,

your absolutely right. The measurements were wrong. My hubby came home and measured him as he didn't believe it, (his a carpenter) and it turns out Mushu is 14 inches. Apparently it takes more than myself and a vet to read a tape measure properly :lol: feeling a tad bit silly now ! and as I said the weight was approximate anyway as Mushu didn't want to keep still.

I actually don't have a pic of Mushu with her tail up but i'll try and get one tomorrow. I'd love a second opinion. I thought he was a she. :?

I always make sure cuddle times or run about the house times come after at least 2 hours of digestion. I'm paranoid about her not digesting properly.

The good news for Mushu is that the shed came off very well. Just a small piece left on his snout and his tail will definitely be shedding in the next few days.

Happy dragon, happy beardie slave

Thanks kingofnobbys I'll check your post out.