Is Jimbo sick?

[Jimbo924]

Hello, I'm concerned about my beardie. About a week ago going on 2 week Jimbo slowed down on his eating. Some days not eating at all. He stays in his hammock alot. His beard has been black most of the time to. He went from waiting in his food bowl to not even moving when I put his insects in there. I feed him roaches and bsf 2 times a day. I do offer veggies but he will not touch them. His poop has slowed also from everyday(even 2 times a day) to maybe every other day. Today it was running. I just replaced his uvb bulb to a reptisun 5.0 tub. He had a compack one that came with the tank. I do have a 10.0 coming bc the one I had didnt work. His basking spot is 107. His cool side is 80. Should I be worried or just let him be sense he is eating alittle and pooping. Thanks. Oh and he is 5-6mons(14in).

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from Website Comments to Health

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

They can sure worry us, can't they? If you can post some pictures of Jimbo, along with your
tank setup that can help too just so we can see the arrangement of your lighting & basking
areas.
His beard could be black for a few reasons. He either isn't feeling well or he is hitting his
juvenile phase where his hormones elevate some, for breeding. Even though he is too young
to mate, they still go through hormonal phases.
Since he has slown down on his eating, he could also be going through a brief slow down just
due to the winter season. Is his beard black all day & into the night while he sleeps, or just
during the daytime?
I am glad to hear you have the Reptisun 10 tube bulb ordered. The Reptisun 5 tube is ok, but
not as strong but better than a compact/coil is. What type of thermometer are you using to
measure the temperatures with?

Tracie

 

[Jimbo924]

I have a digital thermometer with a prob set on his basking spot. I think his beard has been off and on but mostly black. I'm off today I will keep a closer look at it. I had a 10.0 bulb and as soon as I plugged it in it blow. I just ordered the other by mistake. I'm not really sure how to download pics. Can you help? I'm new to this. Thanks

 

[KarrieRee]

Go to top of page click on User Image Uploader-- down load pics-- click on reply - at top of message box click on XIMG--- I would be replacing the UVB bulb w/ a 10.0 and not a 5 --- it is stronger like Tracie said and it much better bulb--
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

 

[Jimbo924]

This was this morning so he is still warming. As of 10:30am still black.

 

[Jimbo924]

 

[KarrieRee]

His color isnt that bad usually when they turn black like that its that they are absorbing heat--- if it turns really black then they are in distress or have seen another dragon etc................ when I first turn Hiccups lights on in the morning his beard is a semi black like his now-- his tank looks very nice
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

Thanks I'm so new to this and beardies. We got Jimbo at Christmas for my older son from petmart. They didnt know exactly how old he was. They where just guessing. I bought the tank that suppose to have everthing with it and doing some research everything was wrong. Do I've been doing some adjustments. After he adjusted to his new home, he was great. Eating like crazy. Not so much with the greens but would eat some out of my hand. Now he want even look at them. Lol! He also isn't eat much at all. He hasn't eat anything today.

 

[KarrieRee]

Its got to be the weather --- their metabolisms slow down in winter so they dont eat and poop as much--- Hiccup eats off and on and mostly greens at this point but hes over a year now so that is to be expected -- once they hit a year and going forward the bug consumption will slow down and they will eat more greens- keep offering him his greens - what did you replace the UVB w/ ? what kind? that is really crucial for their health over all ---- we all cringe when we hear Petsmart or Petco cuz we know for the most part everything is wrong including advice given --- I would like to start a petition to stop the sell of bearded dragons and reptiles in general to stop being sold at these stores cuz they dont know what they are doing ---- its like sending a plumber to do a roofing job!!
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

It's the zoo med reptisun 5.0 for now. I'm waiting on the 10.0 to come in the first one blow as soon as i plugged it in. Just replace his hole lighting set up with the tub on sunday so he has had the compact one sense we got him in dec. I try not to even go in those stores unless i have to. I order most things online for him. I just wish I would have dont my research before we bought him. Maybe I'm just worrying to much. ? I just dont want him feeling bad.

 

[KarrieRee]

Once you get the 10.0 in that will be good-- is it the T 8 or T 5?

 

[Jimbo924]

T8

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok that bulb will need to be changed out every 6 months-- the T 5's last a year
Karrie