Inconsistent/weird appetite

[bluesoda025]

I've had my beardie for about 3-4 weeks and she has just finished her shed a few days ago. She is about 4 months old. When I first got her, she would eat crickets in the morning and everything. In the middle of her shed, she got all lethargic, and even when the lights came on in the morning she would look like she still wanted more sleep and just lay in the corner, and didn't want to eat any crickets most days. The annoying thing is that I have to leave for work in the morning, and can't try feeding her crickets until I come home (around 7 pm). But I leave the greens in her tank, and she does eat some of them while I'm at work. After work when I try feeding her crickets again, she would eat them, but not a whole lot. So after her shed, she is definitely more active most of the time. The day after her shed, she ate a lot of crickets and even ate some in the morning, so I thought that was good.

Then in the past 2 days, she's back to laying in a corner in the morning, and not wanting to eat. :? When I came home today she was just laying in that corner again and looked all tired, and didn't even touch her greens, it looked like. She only ate 3-4 crickets this evening, and she ate a few small pieces of lettuce when I handfed them to her. That's even less crickets than when she was shedding. She did eat 4 waxworms that I fed her later though. Hm, she seems healthy otherwise, so I'm not sure what the problem is. She does walk around her tank and stuff, so she isn't just lying there.

I don't think there should be anything wrong with the lighting; I have the Exo Terra Solar Glo 100W bulb and I have an extra normal 100W bulb for extra heat. Maybe the heat is a bit low.. Even with those two light bulbs, the surface temps are only 95-100 F, but I will have my Mega-ray bulb tomorrow, so I'll put that in right away. The darn Solar Glo doesn't create enough heat.. The Mega-Ray should fix that problem. So yeah, I don't know what the issue could be, or if there is nothing wrong and that's just how she is. :?

 

[Seven65]

Better light may help, Nef never had much of an appetite until I got a decent uvb bulb.

 

[bluesoda025]

The Solar Glo should be a decent MVB.. Well, either way, today I got my Mega-ray and I replaced the Solar Glo with it instead. I will see how things go with that. But yeah, an update on my beardie... She's still not eating much. After she eats the 3rd or 4th cricket, she just stares at me and refuses to eat any more. Could it be that she's just gotten picky about her food? Hm, I don't know. That and she is always laying in this same corner of the tank is concerning. She does not bask anymore either. I just find that real odd..

 

[Buggsy]

What are the temps in the cage? And have you had her tested for parasites? Sometimes this is a symptom.

Just a handy hint, i am always really bust too, so i put slow moving thing, like phoynix worms in a dish for her to eat during the day, you can get special worm dishes that they cant crawl out of, it just gives her the option if she wants. Also lettice is not good for a BD, its all water and not much else, google "beautiful dragons, nutrition" and it gives the link to an excellent resourse, tells you what you can give, and how many times.

When was the last time she went for a poop, what was it like??

 

[bluesoda025]

I haven't been able to take a proper surface temp after putting in the Mega-ray yet. I will do that when I get home from work. When I was using the Solar Glo, surface temps were only 95-100 F. That isn't warm enough and I know it. :| So yeah, that bulb did not generate enough heat even with a 100W bulb right beside it (!!), part of the reason why I am switching over to the Mega-ray.

Yeah, I ordered some phoenix worms.. they should be here by Wed/Thurs. Hopefully she likes those better than crickets. I am currently growing some silkworms from eggs. They are still not nearly large enough to feed to her yet, so... I only have the option of crickets (or phoenix worms in a few days) right now.

Yeah, the lettuce is romaine lettuce, not iceberg lettuce, so it's a tiny bit better, but still not good I know. I've been trying to look for some good veggies but the grocery stores here are often so lacking -- it's frustrating! Tonight, I will make her a salad like I have been doing the past few weeks (haven't had time this weekend, that's why I only offered her the lettuce for the past few days). I have been referring to the beautiful dragons chart for the veggies as well, so don't worry about that.

No, I have not tested her for parasites. I would like to, actually. But I need to figure out a good vet in my area first. Actually I do know of a few around here who treat reptiles since I live in the city, but I don't know how good they are with it. Her poos look normal though.. She did go yesterday. She used to go at least once a day, but ever since she stopped eating as many crickets, she occasionally skips a day.. She still usually goes everyday though, so that's good.

 

[bluesoda025]

Well, I emailed the breeder and he said it sounds like she is seeking brumation. I had a feeling that these symptoms were pointing to that, but I just found it highly unusual for a juvenile to go into brumation. He said she probably won't be going into full brumation, but she will probably be acting lethargic here and there, which sounds like her behaviour..
I will look into testing her for parasites anyways... Btw, just so I know, how does that testing process usual work? Do you have to bring your beardie for a check up first, and then bring the stool sample on a second visit? I would rather not have to make several trips to the vet.

 

[Buggsy]

Most of them will look at the fecal without looking at the beardie, and only ask to see them if there is a problem that needs medicating. Usually it only takes about half an hour to view it and work out counts etc, so if it very far away you can ask to sit and wait (ive dont that before)