HELPP BEARDIE JUST STARTED THIS TODAY

[Johnsond]

We’ve had Buggs for a little over 5 months. And she had been doing very well. Today we noticed heavy breathing and then about 30 minutes after this happened. I am aware that when they open their mouths it is known as gaping which is a way to escape heat. but this is different and she has never exhibited this behavior before. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

[KarrieRee]

View attachment 84980 We’ve had Buggs for a little over 5 months. And she had been doing very well. Today we noticed heavy breathing and then about 30 minutes after this happened. I am aware that when they open their mouths it is known as gaping which is a way to escape heat. but this is different and she has never exhibited this behavior before. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN !

What has she eaten? How big was or is the insects your feeding-- Please go over the basking surface temps and your UVB --- NO coils for a UVB and temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer---

 

[J4ckdaw-]

View attachment 84980 We’ve had Buggs for a little over 5 months. And she had been doing very well. Today we noticed heavy breathing and then about 30 minutes after this happened. I am aware that when they open their mouths it is known as gaping which is a way to escape heat. but this is different and she has never exhibited this behavior before. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN !

Hi there

I don’t know whether or not you know this, but that bearded dragon has severe MBD (metabolic bone disease) which is commonly caused by lack of calcium or calcium binders in the diet or improper UVB. Could you go over your supplementation schedule, UVB/lighting fixture, and diet please?

 

[Johnsond]

What has she eaten? How big was or is the insects your feeding-- Please go over the basking surface temps and your UVB --- NO coils for a UVB and temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer---

Hi there

I don’t know whether or not you know this, but that bearded dragon has severe MBD (metabolic bone disease) which is commonly caused by lack of calcium or calcium binders in the diet or improper UVB. Could you go over your supplementation schedule, UVB/lighting fixture, and diet please?

We was thinking MBD i just didn’t want to assume that. She gets Flukers calcium on her meal worms and we also give her a calcium diet.

 

[Johnsond]

What has she eaten? How big was or is the insects your feeding-- Please go over the basking surface temps and your UVB --- NO coils for a UVB and temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer---

She doesn’t get any big worms. Only mealworms and the calcium diet

 

[Lyrebird.Rainwing]

She doesn’t get any big worms. Only mealworms and the calcium diet

Mealworms aren't very good for beardies from what I've heard. I would suggest getting superworms instead

 

[KarrieRee]

She doesn’t get any big worms. Only mealworms and the calcium diet

Your dragon needs a good uvb- - long tube fixture like zoo med w/ a reptisun 10.0 bulb-- or a Arcadia pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb found at PetSmart or a sunblaster nano tech w/ the reptisun 10.0 bulb-- she needs this NOW--- please get rid of the aqua daylight bulb and get a exo Terra intense basking bulb-- the che needs to be used if your temps are falling below 65 at night- surface basking temps should be 105-110 -taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- this will determine the wattage of your basking bulb-- please no more meal worms they are harsh on babies stomachs - they need crickets or dubias roaches as a main staple and fresh salads every day- please get the uvb it is vital at this point - everything I have mentioned needs to be fixed immediately

 

[Johnsond]

Mealworms aren't very good for beardies from what I've heard. I would suggest getting superworms instead

super worms are too big for her.

 

[Johnsond]

Your dragon needs a good uvb- - long tube fixture like zoo med w/ a reptisun 10.0 bulb-- or a Arcadia pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb found at PetSmart or a sunblaster nano tech w/ the reptisun 10.0 bulb-- she needs this NOW--- please get rid of the aqua daylight bulb and get a exo Terra intense basking bulb-- the che needs to be used if your temps are falling below 65 at night- surface basking temps should be 105-110 -taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- this will determine the wattage of your basking bulb-- please no more meal worms they are harsh on babies stomachs - they need crickets or dubias roaches as a main staple and fresh salads every day- please get the uvb it is vital at this point - everything I have mentioned needs to be fixed immediately

Thank you so much.

 

[Johnsond]

Thank you so much.

Can you please post some pictures of the bulbs and fixtures please.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you so much.

If you need links for anything please ask but get that UVB now -- the one from Pet Smart is 24" 24 watt - all the others are also a 24" recommended

 

[Claudiusx]

You're not going to be able to reverse the damage done by the MBD, but you can halt it and prevent it from progressing.

That will involve getting the proper UV bulb like mentioned, maintaining proper temperatures, and providing a proper diet (normal general good husbandry).

Mealworms are a fine feeder insect. Superworms will work too, you can buy small and medium super worms. But this is harder to do in bulk since they go so quick. That's why mealworms are a good option. Other good options are crickets, dubia roaches, BSFL, and silkworms. Try to provide a varied diet of bugs as well as salad items.

-Brandon

 

[Johnsond]

Thank you for the insight.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you for the insight.

Please post back on here when you get the UVB -- I will help you set it up for your tank and screen - placement and distance will be determined by the screen on the tank --- at this point I would get it in the tank and set for a distance of 12 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- that is for a T 5 UVB

 

[J4ckdaw-]

We was thinking MBD i just didn’t want to assume that. She gets Flukers calcium on her meal worms and we also give her a calcium diet.

Alright… so, her diet needs a bit of a change. Mealworms are a great feeder, but I’d add some more variety (crickets, roaches, silkworms, phoenix worms, etc). Try and gut load them 12 hours before feeding as well (by feeding them the greens and veggies that she would be eating to get optimal nutrition.)

As for the premix you have there… generally, we don’t suggest feeding pellets or freeze dried veggies to a bearded dragon. I don’t think it will do too much harm, but be cautious and feed it sparingly. Also, make sure you offer a salad everyday (even if she doesn’t eat much/any of it).

I’m the salad you do not want to include calcium binders like spinach or broccoli, also steer clear of avacado and mushrooms all together. Here is a list of good staple greens and veggies you can use:

- collard greens
- dandelion greens
- mustard greens
- cauliflower greens (not the head)
- kale
- alfalfa
- endive
- escarole

Please replace the UVB bulb with either the Reptisun 10.0 tube bulb or the Arcadia T5 tube bulb, it needs to cover at least 1/2 to 3/4 of the tank. KarrieRee is our lighting guru here, she can help you figure out the distance and placement once you get it.

Do not get brands other than Arcadia or Reptisun, all the others are inferior and just about as bad as (maybe a bit better but not by much) coil or compact bulbs. This is definitely what caused the MBD, and unfortunately at this stage she won’t be able to recover her complete mobility.

Good luck, sending you the best of wishes