Help

[BenjiBoy]

I posted something about some questions on my new bearded dragon. I’m getting a little concerned ?. I said something on there about how he was hiding and his beard is black. I did nothing that would have caused that, he’s been alone for a few hours now. I tried feeding him and he won’t eat, that’s not like him at all. I’m not sure if here is to ask questions about stuff like this. But I live in a really small area in the middle of no where, the nearest vet is a few hours away. I’ve done some research and I can’t really find anything. Does anyone know if this is serious or what’s going on?

 

[KarrieRee]

How long have you had him? Please go over the lighting in the tank --- UVB brand and bulb is it a coil or tube? Where is it? Basking temps what are they and how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate-------- they will go thru relocation stress so the eating will slow down but they should not quit eating all together-- please post a pic of him and his tank and lighting
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ click on XIMG at the top of the message box then click on the pic it should post
Karrie

 

[BenjiBoy]

I’m not sure about the light questions, we just got them from the lady who gave him to us. I’ve had him for a bit less then a week. I answered the rest of the questions on the other reply you put on my first post. Here’s the image-

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so look under the dome and on the coil bulb look at the brand and wattage- is it a 13 watt? I see a stick on temp gauge-- it is inaccurate-- you need to go to Petco or PetSmart and get a zoo med digital probe thermometer $6-- next you are going to need to get rid of the coil UVB- they are inadequate for UVB and your dragon will soon be sick- you need to get a 24" fixture w/ reflector-- you need a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb--- it can sit on top of your screen-- this needs to be replaced ASAP--- as of this time he is getting no UVB and he will not eat w/ out proper UVB and basking temps---
Karrie

 

[BenjiBoy]

It’s off because it’s 9- he’s asleep. Every night when it’s cold I turn my space heater on 70. And in the morning his thermometer says 70.

 

[KarrieRee]

Please get the things I have posted - your dragon needs the correct lighting or he's going to get very sick
Karrie

 

[BenjiBoy]

The people before me have had him for a year and a half on the same type of light.

 

[KarrieRee]

I don't know what to tell you - dragons hide their illness till they can no longer and sometimes then it's too late- he's probably already developing mbd--- the coil UVB is no good - he has his growth already stunted by proper diet and lighting-- I can tell by his picture
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

I don't know what to tell you - dragons hide their illness till they can no longer and sometimes then it's too late- he's probably already developing mbd--- the coil UVB is no good - he has his growth already stunted by improper diet and lighting-- I can tell by his picture
Karrie

 

[BenjiBoy]

You don’t even know what type of lighting it is? He eats great, just doesn’t eat his greens very well. I looked up the lights and it’s the exact thing on the petco website.

 

[BenjiBoy]

^

 

[KarrieRee]

So your using a solarglo- that is a ALL in ONE-- if it's over a year old it needs to be replaced- they expire- distance also plays a key role for proper UVB and I am not savvy on that---- I can get some one to help you w/ that some require extra UVB cuz they don't put out enough--- certain brands- would you like the help
Karrie

 

[BenjiBoy]

It has been replaced, they got a new bulb put in for us right before they gave it to us. Sure, thanks.

 

[KarrieRee]

Here is some info on the bulb --- About 12 " is good and they should produce uvb at least 6 months but once they lose their effectiveness you can still use them as the primary heat bulb for as long as they produce heat, which can be 2-3 years for some of them. It's always good to use a long tube uvb along with just to be sure of good coverage. The long uvb can be switched on 2-3 days a week or all the time. This came from one of the more experienced people on the forum w/these bulbs-- so w/ that being said I would get another UVB as mentioned earlier just so you know hes getting the coverage he needs plus you wont need to change out the bulb in 6 months as mentioned- he will have the back up of the tube fixture ---
Karrie

 

[BenjiBoy]

Okay, thank you.