Juju needs help

[Sammy28]

Hi,
I haven't been around in a while, because things have been going fine with Juju, but I'm getting progressively more worried about him.

Since last fall, he hasn't been eating much, and doesn't EVER defecate. I've taken him to the vet, and the vet says his husbandry seems excellent. They did a physical, and bloodwork and said everything was normal. But his problems remain. I bathe him weekly, and pick him up and put him by his food dish daily, but he just crawls back to where he was and falls asleep.

I understand about brumation, but 6+ months is concerning me. Help?

-sam

 

[Grogshla]

how old is your uvb tube. I would replace it. Be sure its reptisun or arcadia and get it within 6-8 inches of the dragon.
Get his temps back up to 110f
It totally sounds like brumation. He is healthy so don't stress too much. Just make sure his temps and uvb is perfect and let him do the rest.

 

[Sammy28]

The bulb is only about 2 months old, but yeah it is a Sunglo. Also It might be within 8 inches, but not everywhere in the tank. I'm pretty sure his temperatures aren't up to 110 either, but I am having difficulties finding ways to get things closer. So any thoughts or helpful suggestions there?
Thanks,
Sam

 

[spurlee01]

The sunglo does not provide UVB, it is just a heat bulb to my understanding. Do you also have a UVB bulb? If not you really need to buy one and the reptisun 10.0 TUBE is what I'd recommend.

 

[Grogshla]

yep i agree with what is said above. You need a basking lamp which you need to direct onto a basking area. This temp needs to be 110f. The ambient temp should bring the surrounding area near the basking spot (which will be the warm side) to 95. THe cool side on the other side of the tank should sit around 80-85. Exo terra offer a dome light fixture that is mounted on a bracket that can be lowered into the tank. This is what i use.
Also i have suspended my uvb tube and fixture via shoelaces from the top of my tank. ( i have bars running across the top of my tank which i tie the strings to)
You could also mount the light and fixture inside the tank and stick it to the back glass via velcro tape

 

[spurlee01]

Another option is command hooks. I found some that are rated for like 5 or 8 lbs and mounted the UVB light inside Lil's tank with those. I just used a $7 walmart fixture.

 

[Sammy28]

Well I did buy the sunglo uvb/a tube 10.0, and I do have a basking lamp, and a ceramic heat emitter because I have been trying to have the temperatures up. I'll just try to get them closer and buy different brand of uv I suppose. Thanks.

 

[Sammy28]

Alright. Today I worked on his cage with my handy dandy thermometer, and I got the temps up, with some improvisation (and a little help from a lamp). It still is the sunglo uv light, but hopefully since it is lower down it still might work. What I'm asking, is if this looks safe and satisfactory according to wiser folks? He did have increased movement today and actually did eat, which is encouraging. Still no defecation. Here is the img (hopefully), I'm bad at photobucket, but otherwise the link will be posted below as well.
Thanks,
Sam

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/samalama78/p_00130.jpg

 

[spurlee01]

I think it looks okay. What are the temps now? I am not familiar with this UVB light, can you send me a link to it? I am worried that your beardie's problems may be UVB related.

 

[Sammy28]

The temps on the left (cool) side are about 79 degrees Celcius, and on the basking side they are about 109-111. And here's the link to the bulb:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147182

I -might- have gotten a 5.0 version one. And I totally agree, if anything from what I've read now, it would most likely be that light now that the temps are up. He does seem to be improving, he ate again today, but still no defecation.

Just let me know your thoughts,
Sam

 

[spurlee01]

Oh yeah, if it is the reptiglo, that is the problem. It's been linked to lack of appetite, lethargy, and eye problems. This is the bulb I recommend.
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/11442-504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-bulb.html