Lethargic, listless, not moving at all...

[Agonistes]

Alright, my bearded is 3 years old now and I'm having a very awful problem.

He's not moving at all, even when picked up. He won't open his eyes and his gums (lips?) are drooping very slightly. When he does show movement his head is cocked to the side and he twitches it slightly.

At first I figured he was going into brumation, he's done it before around this time of year (I know, really odd) but, I'm not so sure this time.

Tank Setup:
55 gallon museum-style terrarium
ReptiSun 10 UVB
150W Basking Light
Hot side around 100-110
Cool side around 60-70
I use tile for substrate

Other concerns; The other day I came in and he was upside down. It looked like he had, somehow, flipped unto his back. His beard is also constantly black, I'm trying to leave him alone--but I'm very worried about him!

I've called several reptile specialists and I have a vet appointment for him this week. One of the specialists says he think it might be a bad inner ear infection or parasites.

Also, when he does breathe it's one large gasp and then I can't see any movement what-so-ever.

Thoughts, suggestions? Help! D:

 

[Mistyck]

When is the last time you changed the UVB and is it a florescent tube or a compact/coil?

What are you using to measure temps?

What do you feed and how often?

How often do you bathe him?

You should take anything out of the tank that he can climb on, and potentially fall off of until you figure things out.

Is his breathing labored? Is he black bearding or does he have stress marks?

 

[Agonistes]

When is the last time you changed the UVB and is it a florescent tube or a compact/coil?
Fluorescent tube, the old one was around 4-5 months old and ready to be changed. But, when I went to change the bulb, my hood crapped out and stopped working. I have a new one in the mail, shipping as we speak.

What are you using to measure temps?
A digital Fluke meter used in field work.

What do you feed and how often?
Bearded Dragon bites, every other day.

How often do you bathe him?
At least once a month.

You should take anything out of the tank that he can climb on, and potentially fall off of until you figure things out.
Everything is out.

Is his breathing labored? Is he black bearding or does he have stress marks?
When he does breath it's very loud and it looks like it's through his mouth. He opens his mouth and makes a noise, but it doesn't look like he's breathing normally...

 

[Mistyck]

Fluorescent tube, the old one was around 4-5 months old and ready to be changed. But, when I went to change the bulb, my hood crapped out and stopped working. I have a new one in the mail, shipping as we speak.
Good, that should help

A digital Fluke meter used in field work.
Haven't heard of this...But I assume it's a probe?

Bearded Dragon bites, every other day.
He needs protein, and fresh veggies, not just beardie bites. How long have you been feeding just beardie bites? Those don't have all the things that a dragon needs...

At least once a month.
He needs to be bathed way more often than that. He is probably severely dehydrated. You should be bathing him 2-4 times a week for 10minutes at a time in lukewarm water up to his elbows

Everything is out.
Good deal...

When he does breath it's very loud and it looks like it's through his mouth. He opens his mouth and makes a noise, but it doesn't look like he's breathing normally...
Ok, is there a hissing or wheezing noise coming out when he breathes? Is he black bearding, or does he have stress marks?

 

[Agonistes]

A digital Fluke meter used in field work.
Haven't heard of this...But I assume it's a probe?
It's an IR sensor, but I also use a probe.

Bearded Dragon bites, every other day.
He needs protein, and fresh veggies, not just beardie bites. How long have you been feeding just beardie bites? Those don't have all the things that a dragon needs...
I was told BDB are okay to replace veggies, ugh. It's been YEARS since he's had greens. So much for "specialists."

When he does breath it's very loud and it looks like it's through his mouth. He opens his mouth and makes a noise, but it doesn't look like he's breathing normally...
Ok, is there a hissing or wheezing noise coming out when he breathes? Is he black bearding, or does he have stress marks?
It sounds like a wheezing noise, but he's only breathing every so often. So it's hard to catch him when he does it. I've been staring at him for hours... He's had a black beard every since I found him upside-down. No stress marks.

 

[Mistyck]

Ok, probe thermometers are good!

Beardie bites are like candy...They do not replace anything. He needs to start getting fresh veggies ASAP! Also he needs fresh protein...Sounds like he hasn't gotten any of those things in a long time, and it needs to change soon.

Pick him up, and listen to his chest. If there is a wheezing, crackling or hissing noise then you need to get him to a vet asap. That could be a respiratory infection.

 

[Agonistes]

I honestly can't see him breathing or even moving his chest at all... only when he takes the deep breaths every so-often...

 

[Mistyck]

When you pick him up, can you hear him breathe? Doesn't matter if you see him breathe, you need to hear for noise in the chest.

 

[Agonistes]

I can only hear him when he does the heavy breathing. It's only one, very large, breath.

But, I touched his lips just now and it made a mucus trail to my finger.

 

[Esther19]

I highly recommend a vet visit as soon as possible. He very likely has a respiratory infection. He needs antibiotics and needs hydration, as well. Try to keep the tank temps at 80 tonight. Cover his head lightly if you don't have a ceramic heat emitter. They need darkness to sleep well. Also, after he is sleeping, rearrange him so the his head is angled downwards. That way the stuff in his lungs can drain. Please keep us posted on his condition.

 

[Mistyck]

What day is your vet appointment? I'd make sure that you'd make it if I were you. From what you're describing, it doesn't sound like something you can handle without meds.

 

[Agonistes]

I took him to the vet a few hours ago. The vet said at this point, there's nothing he could do for him.

Had him euthanized.

Very upset at the moment.

 

[Esther19]

I am very sorry for your loss.