Is he a grumpy old man or is there something seriously wrong

[Staz]

Hello All,

I haven't been able to get on in a while so hope everyone is well.

I have a concern about my beardie Jade. A quick overview...I have had him since Oct 2008. We think he is between 2-3yrs, he may have crossed from juvenile to adult since we have had him. I bought him from a woman who couldn't let him out much so he loved the freedom of running around my flat and being brought out for cuddles. His viv was a converted fishtank which actually cracked in many places durin transit, it was ok for him to live in until we sorted out a replacement. My boyfriend loved the idea of building him a new one, so after months of hard work, jade's new viv was ready for him to move into. We were careful in the relocation process making sure he felt safe and happy had the right temps etc. We were overjoyed to see his response to his new home, he loved it!

HOWEVER... now when I bring him out to play and for cuddles I get a jet black beard...everytime without fail!! He would sometimes go a little black when running around and after reading lots of posts I put it down to him looking for a mate but this is much much worse. He is not being aggressive towards me so I can't understand what's wrong, after I put him back in his viv it seems to take him ages to go back to his nice white complextion.

I am wondering:
does he now like his new viv that much that he hates being brought out or is this usual behaviour from an adult? What concerns me is that I have read another post that jet black beard could be signs of illness.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Jade's change in behaviour.

Thanks in advance

Stacey

 

[pnut81]

Hi

I have just got a lil bearded dragon and I too got him from someone that didnt have the time to spend with the lil guy so he was alone for 13 hours a day. Im quite new to this i mean I've owned reptiles but never a lizard. I also did the same thing of getting a new vivarium 4ft x 2ft x 2ft for him because he was in a dark dingy viv which was too small. The person I got him off was not very well informed on how to look atfer him so he was not in the best shape - 8 months old and only the size of my hand very small and fragile fed only on crickets, he was very moody as in stayed black most of the time and hissing. when I put him in the new viv he was pretty happy about it probally a bit wary at first but apparently a new big area can intimidate them and when this happens they turn black and my bob there head as a sighn of dominance, after a week or so he started to get grumpy again for no apparent reason and always wanted to stay in his tank. So I have changed his diet and i change it every 3 - 4 days made sure that the temps where correct and kept him to a strict 12 hour days and he seems to be a lot happier. One thing that changed his mood is water I have to feed it drip by drip and let him lick it off my finger but he loves it and he seems to really perk up after it, Beardies dont drink so they rely on moisture in the food but mainly from leaves so I spay his tank every morning and he seems to like it.

I hope this helps you a bit but you may know all this anyway coz I am by no means an expert and this is info I have found out myself which has worked for me.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

My house! MINE! MY HOUSE!
Tsam does this when Kyle comes up his ramp and looks into his house.
Not a lot to worry about, just keep persisting and he'll get over it. Hugs and snuggles lead to better trust, especially when he realises he can go back to his house after. He got used to the old house and was taken away - maybe he's worried the same will happen?

Tsam has a slope up to his tank so he can get back in when he wants whilst he's running around, and it's helped a lot with him worrying. He doesn't demand Kyle's tank so much.

 

[Staz]

Sorry for the delay in replying, thank you very much for your advice. Things became worse so I took Jade to the vet for blood tests and the results showed signs of kidney failure. I am devastated and feel so helpless. I am following the vets instructions and hoping that he starts to get better.

Thanks again

Staz

 

[Staz]

Sorry for the delay in replying, thank you very much for your advice. Things became worse so I took Jade to the vet for blood tests and the results showed signs of kidney failure. I am devastated and feel so helpless. I am following the vets instructions and hoping that he starts to get better.

Thanks again

Staz

 

[beardie parents]

I'm sorry for that news. I hope you got to jade in time. Miss O (one of our first two girls) died of severe kidney failure. This was because we didn't get her to a vet in time. The vet did say that there is things he could do for kidney failure for dragons. We just didn't get her to the vet in time. By the time we realized there was a problem, it was to late for her.

Lori

 

[Staz]

Hi Lori,

I am sorry to hear that about your Miss O. Do you have any knowledge that may be of help?

I am currently force feeding Jade liquid critical care food from the vet 3x a day and giving him 2 1/2hour baths a day to get fluid into him. He is booked in for an xray on tuesday to rule out gout. I still put his greens in his tank but he isn't interested in them. He is very lathargic and isn't moving much. When I bring him out he moves a little (and still quite quickly) showing he can still support himself but his beard is still going jet black along with the bottom of his tail but back to white when I put him back in his viv. His breathing is quite strange and he has a cough on a morning. The vet hasn't really told me what to expect or how quick he could show signs of getting better or deteriorating.

Any advice would be appreciated as I am worried sick.

Staz

 

[beardie parents]

I understand your fear. I don't really have any further information for you other than what I said. You could pm Tracie (Drache613), she probably would have some information for you.

 

[Ethelia]

I have fought this fight with my first beardie De, but like beardie parents I cant offer you any more advice than the vet has given you.
I know how worrying and distressing it is.
Dont be afraid to call the vet for advice if he is doing something you werent expecting.
Hoping for good results for you.
Keep faith.

Holly

 

[EclpsPrinc]

So sorry your beardie is having problems. I've never experienced kidney failure in any of our dragons. Staz & Lori... what were the symptoms your beardies experienced?

Hugs to Jade. Hope he feels better soon!