help with lethargic beardie

syddersspams

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
mac miller
hi. My almost one year-old bearded dragon, big Mac, has been being watched by my dad while I am away. I know my dad takes good care of him because I leave specific instructions and he sends me videos of him all the time. But this is my first winter having a bearded dragon, and I think something might be wrong or off. He has been- according to my dad, lethargic, hiding in the corner of his tank, not eating very frequently, and not wanting to go under his heat lamp. I’m quite worried about him because he’s never had these problems before. the side of his tank that he is hiding in is the UVB side. Please let me know if you think that there is any solutions or you know what is going on with him.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
hi. My almost one year-old bearded dragon, big Mac, has been being watched by my dad while I am away. I know my dad takes good care of him because I leave specific instructions and he sends me videos of him all the time. But this is my first winter having a bearded dragon, and I think something might be wrong or off. He has been- according to my dad, lethargic, hiding in the corner of his tank, not eating very frequently, and not wanting to go under his heat lamp. I’m quite worried about him because he’s never had these problems before. the side of his tank that he is hiding in is the UVB side. Please let me know if you think that there is any solutions or you know what is going on with him.
Does the dragon have a hide? It sounds like hes doing the brumation thing which is normal for dragons this time of year- how much does the dragon weigh? Usually they dont brumate till over a year but can before but they must be of good weight for them to do this- over 300 grams- please go over the surface basking temps and how your taking them and the UVB your using- incorrect lighting in the tank and temps can simulate brumation so we want to make sure this is all on par and we can rule this out for cause of this behavior
 

syddersspams

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
mac miller
Does the dragon have a hide? It sounds like hes doing the brumation thing which is normal for dragons this time of year- how much does the dragon weigh? Usually they dont brumate till over a year but can before but they must be of good weight for them to do this- over 300 grams- please go over the surface basking temps and how your taking them and the UVB your using- incorrect lighting in the tank and temps can simulate brumation so we want to make sure this is all on par and we can rule this out for cause of this behavior
He does have a hide, on the basking side. and on the UVB side he has a hammock he likes to hide under. i’m not able to weigh him rn but he’s quite chunky so he should be over 300g. i’ll ask my dad to take temps.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
He does have a hide, on the basking side. and on the UVB side he has a hammock he likes to hide under. i’m not able to weigh him rn but he’s quite chunky so he should be over 300g. i’ll ask my dad to take temps.
Temps are extremely important - surface basking temps should be 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - NO stick ons or IR guns especially on hammocks they cant read off of them- please weigh him on a kitchen food scale weigh in grams- your surface basking temps are what start digestion - how old is the UVB and what are you using coil or long tube fixture? Another crucial thing for the tank
 

syddersspams

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
mac miller
Temps are extremely important - surface basking temps should be 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - NO stick ons or IR guns especially on hammocks they cant read off of them- please weigh him on a kitchen food scale weigh in grams- your surface basking temps are what start digestion - how old is the UVB and what are you using coil or long tube fixture? Another crucial thing for the tank

UVB is A little over six months old. I’m not sure if it’s a coil or a tube? I’m 90% sure it’s a tube. Another piece of information – I live in Minnesota so it’s quite chilly Right now. About -2° we do have a stick on the thermometer on both sides of the tank, but we’ve noticed that they aren’t completely accurate all the time. Making my dad go to the store now to get a digital probe thermometer.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
UVB is A little over six months old. I’m not sure if it’s a coil or a tube? I’m 90% sure it’s a tube. Another piece of information – I live in Minnesota so it’s quite chilly Right now. About -2° we do have a stick on the thermometer on both sides of the tank, but we’ve noticed that they aren’t completely accurate all the time. Making my dad go to the store now to get a digital probe thermometer.
Please take a pic of the uvb- if it's in a dome it's a coil
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

How is your dragon doing today?
Yes, definitely get a digital probe so you can measure the temperatures more accurately.
A picture of your UVB would be helpful so we can determine the type & brand. It is imperative
that he has the correct lighting, for his health.

Tracie
 

syddersspams

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
mac miller
Hello,

How is your dragon doing today?
Yes, definitely get a digital probe so you can measure the temperatures more accurately.
A picture of your UVB would be helpful so we can determine the type & brand. It is imperative
that he has the correct lighting, for his health.

Tracie
Hi tracie- my dad says he’s doing great today. up and chasing his crickets and basking like normal. we didn’t change anything so not sure what happened. UVB is a coil- i’ll make sure to get to the store ASAP and pick him up a different one. any recommendations?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
Hi tracie- my dad says he’s doing great today. up and chasing his crickets and basking like normal. we didn’t change anything so not sure what happened. UVB is a coil- i’ll make sure to get to the store ASAP and pick him up a different one. any recommendations?
You may haft to order it on line let me know -- I can post links -- look for a Zoo Med 24" fixture w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb bought separately this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb - or a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb 24 watt - there is one other one but that one would need to be ordered I can post a link if you like -- its a little cheaper than the other two but a good fixture--- you want to get rid of the coil ASAP they are a health hazard and are no good
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

That is good news, I hope he continues to improve. As
Karrie suggested, one of those bulbs will be fine. The compact
or coil UVB lights aren't good.
Are you giving calcium 4-5 days per week?

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie
 

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