I'm at a loss with my beardie... :/

[Gymgirlx]

Both Gary and Plankton have been under my BF's care for the last 2 weeks. NOTHING has changed in the set-up ( each has their own set-up), other than him switching to a Powersun ( which both seem to enjoy). I have had Plankton for 7 months and apart from being small ( 14" or so), she has NEVER had issues. Her legs are shedding, as well as the bottom of her tail. She has refused to eat the last 5 days. A day or 2 without eating for her is not out of the norm, but I'm getting very concerned. My BF and I are both frustrated. She is still energetic and seems to be doing "well", though she also has orange in her urate. I think this could be from the babyfood he has been giving her through a dropper. I can post many pictures later. I pray she is ok, she's my girl...

 

[Menolly]

I know my little boy can be a choosy little bugger. Sometimes he just like variety or he might have parasites. I know sometimes when I feed my beardie butterworms, sometimes there is a little bit of orange in his poop, so it could have been something that she ate. Pictures would be more helpful rather then just giving you a guess. However if she still seems to be doing well, I wouldn't worry to much. If it bugs you, it wouldn't hurt to get a stool sample and give it to your vet to check out just to rule out the possibility of parasites.

 

[Irwinshealth]

You said your best friend was taking care? Were you gone all together? I think someone could be playing I'm mad and pouting :? My Irwin did this when I went out of town. When I got back he wouldn't eat. After awhile he got over it. :mrgreen:

 

[Gymgirlx]

My boyfriend. She's shedding and he mentioned tonight that her tail is black near the bottom ( I'll post a pic when I get it). Classic sign of tail rot. I'm heart broken and so frustrated. I lost Sunflower a few months ago, I don't think I could lose another one.

 

[Menolly]

Don't immediately go to tail rot, it could just be some discoloration. A picture would definitely be helpful, but don't immediately assume the worst and stress yourself out. Beardies are tough little buggers, don't sell yours short just yet.

 

[Gymgirlx]

She's at the vet today. I'm thinking it's most likely a bad shed. She moved from SD, Ca to phoenix. I didn't take the humidity change into consideration. She has always been smaller. She is around 8 months old and 14"-14.5", though I know she still has months of growing. She's at an exotic pet vet now and we are awaiting his opinions. Thanks you guys.

 

[AHBD]

Hey Gymgirl....cheer up, that's not tail rot. I've had beardies with dark tails , it's just their coloring. And in that picture, she looks to be a picture of health. Some beardies get tired of the same food and go on their little hunger strikes. Shouldn't be anything to worry about at all !

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

She's at the vet today. I'm thinking it's most likely a bad shed. She moved from SD, Ca to phoenix. I didn't take the humidity change into consideration. She has always been smaller. She is around 8 months old and 14"-14.5", though I know she still has months of growing. She's at an exotic pet vet now and we are awaiting his opinions. Thanks you guys.

It's definetly just shed. The legs and arms are the same color. She's probably having a hard time getting it off because of the humidity. Try giving her baths and rubbing the shed places lightly with a very soft brush/toothbrush to help her out. Good luck

 

[Gymgirlx]

thanks a lot you guys. 8) She's always been a tad pickier than most beardies, I think the shed is really stressing her out. He has been giving her baths and raising the humidity, I'm sure everything will be ok. We both were freaking out a tad.

 

[AHBD]

I meant to mention [ as beardie mommie did ] that it's shed , but it's over a dark tail. Some beardies develop a darker tail end over time, with the darker color progressing toward the tip. And uneven sheds are really the norm for most beardies...you'll be amazed at times to see half a face in shed, or 2 arms, haf the back, etc, etc....so a little bathing, but nothing excessive. I've never had a single beardie tail that didn't shed.

 

[lilblack94gt]

Its just shed. My beardy Sam, has that coloring on his tail. I was told for stubborn sheds, to try so witch hazel on the area. I have never tried it yet, but maybe someone else on here has and can chime in.

Sam also does the hunger strikes. He is pretty picky so my choices of veggies he will eat is limited. If he gets tires of the veggies, he will go without eating for a few days.

 

[kcarello]

I haven't heard of using witch hazel, but I was told by Tracie to use either shea butter or olive oil,,but that was on a little spot of retained shed,,so it seems like that would work in your case.

 

[Gymgirlx]

thanks everyone for the advice. The doc. said Plankton is fine and in good health. Also said she's at a healthy weight for her length. It's just a shed. Sorry for freaking out...

 

[kcarello]

Happy to hear Plankton is doing good!!