Is he sick?

[Pash]

We have had Leo for almost a year. He was doing great, but now we worry. He is pail, not really eating, and sometimes he just laying there. The laying there not bad. Thinking rest, sleep, or basking. When he is up he runs back and forth like he running a marathon bake and forth in his home. He doesn't really eat and we were told to force feed him baby food like squash and green beans. Not sure if this is correct for his health. Do we need to put down a different substrate or change food? Just an overly protective parent.Thank you in advance for time and info.

 

[xp29]

We have had Leo for almost a year. He was doing great, but now we worry. He is pail, not really eating, and sometimes he just laying there. The laying there not bad. Thinking rest, sleep, or basking. When he is up he runs back and forth like he running a marathon bake and forth in his home. He doesn't really eat and we were told to force feed him baby food like squash and green beans. Not sure if this is correct for his health. Do we need to put down a different substrate or change food? Just an overly protective parent.Thank you in advance for time and info.

He looks sick. He has zero fat pads on his head, his tail is thin also. I recommend ordering some Oxbow critical care asap. Get the omnivore variety. Just mix it with water and use an eyedropper to feed it to him.
What ate you using for uvb and what is his basking temps. If either one of those us not up to speed he will not thrive.
I don't see a basking light even turned on. If they can't get up to temperature they can't digest their food. He needs 95 to 100 degrees for basking temp. Without proper uvb he can not process calcium and will develop metabolic bone disease. It's irreversible.
So please go into detail on your lighting, so we can help you get it right. Honestly your beardie looks rough, you need to get things turned around asap.

 

[xp29]

He looks sick. He has zero fat pads on his head, his tail is thin also. I recommend ordering some Oxbow critical care asap. Get the omnivore variety. Just mix it with water and use an eyedropper to feed it to him.
What ate you using for uvb and what is his basking temps. If either one of those us not up to speed he will not thrive.
I don't see a basking light even turned on. If they can't get up to temperature they can't digest their food. He needs 95 to 100 degrees for basking temp. Without proper uvb he can not process calcium and will develop metabolic bone disease. It's irreversible.
So please go into detail on your lighting, so we can help you get it right. Honestly your beardie looks rough, you need to get things turned around asap.

I forgot to mention, yoi can get the critical care from amazon.
Any variety is better than nothing, but I would look for the omnivore so it has some protein in it also.

 

[Pash]

I forgot to mention, yoi can get the critical care from amazon.
Any variety is better than nothing, but I would look for the omnivore so it has some protein in it also.

Thank you for the help. My wife is the one ordering the yoi on Amazon so thank you. As far as the lighting I could not tell you since she bought the stuff I just trying to help. I do know she got the kit at Petco if that helps. What would the optimal set up on lights that you would recommend for this tank? Really, do appreciate the info.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you for the help. My wife is the one ordering the yoi on Amazon so thank you. As far as the lighting I could not tell you since she bought the stuff I just trying to help. I do know she got the kit at Petco if that helps. What would the optimal set up on lights that you would recommend for this tank? Really, do appreciate the info.

For a 40 + gallon tank a long tube fixture NO coils -- we can post 3 UVB's that are recommended -- basking light needs to be a solid clear bright white bulb NO colored NO off white NO yellowish or Daytime bulbs -- temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - he needs fresh salads every day but you must get your lighting in the tank on par or he wont eat-- Nutrition Content Ignore the kale info its outdated and is a good staple feeder -- nice tank and the substrate is fine--

 

[xp29]

Thank you for the help. My wife is the one ordering the yoi on Amazon so thank you. As far as the lighting I could not tell you since she bought the stuff I just trying to help. I do know she got the kit at Petco if that helps. What would the optimal set up on lights that you would recommend for this tank? Really, do appreciate the info.

The kits they sell are awful. For uvb you need a long tube florescent type. Zoomed or Arcadia are both good. The fixture will be 24 inches, the bulb will be 22 inches. The Zoomed comes with the wrong bulb. It will be a 5.0 you need the 10.0 high output. It should be a t5 socket. The t8's will work in a pinch but they aren't as strong output. The Arcadia your looking for a pro t5 desert 12%. It also comes in a 14% but that is a very strong bulb. For the Arcadia make sure it's a desert and not a jungle dawn. If you can get him outside in the real sunshine for a couple hours per day until you have the correct uvb in place it will help him.
Either of the bulbs I mentioned work better mounted under the screen. The screen blocks about 30% of the uvb.
For basking any clear white light bulb will work. No colored bulbs and no yellowish hue bulbs. Both the uvb needs to come on in the morning and stay on all day. You need to get a digital probe thermometer to set the basking temp. They are cheap, 10 to 15 bucks and are the only accurate way to measure the temp. The infrared guns measure surface temp, what your after is the temp of the light itself. The probes are the onky way to measure that accurately.
The uvb needs to be about 10 to 15 inches above him unobstructed. Closer it on top of the screen. If you can create overlap with the basking and uvb, that is ideal. Also if you can provide different heights he will pick what he needs.

 

[xp29]

As usual @KarrieRee is quicker than me lmao. She is very good at lighting and can help you get it spot on.
I hope your guy pulls through, they are such sweet little creatures.
If you have any other questions or need help with other aspects of their care don't hesitate to ask. The only dumb question is the one not asked

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Just gauging on the pictures, he is in pain or distress. I think if he hasn't
had proper UVB lighting, he probably hasn't been able to absorb his calcium
& other vitamins well enough. It appears his back may have a little bit of
hump to it. That may indicate onset of metabolic bone disease.
Are you able to get him on a liquid calcium right now?
Which UVB light are you purchasing for him? Karrie's suggestions are always spot on & she is always willing to help extensively for your setup.
The Zoomed Reptisun or the Arcadia D 12% or 14% T5 tubes are both
terrific lights.
Since he could potentially have weakened bones, be sure that he doesn't
have to climb too much to cut down on any chances of him hurting himself.
Be careful when syringe feeding him, so he doesn't choke or aspirate any
food or fluids. He is weak so go slowly with him. Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie