Lethargic..or Moody?

[kayleenxx]

This post is for the sudden/odd behavior changes in Temperance..
*I finally replaced one of her clamp lights with the Zilla Slimline Fixture light-which she can get 4" away from;
*Her basking light is still a clamp light, but it's the ZooMed repti-basking lamp 75 watts. she can get within 6" from that.
*My dad just build me a cover for her tank, as i did not have one.
*She used to love to run around when i'd take her out, but now she just kind of stands where i set her, or takes one quick lap- then wants back in.
*Sometimes, she will randomly jump up on the wall as if she is trying to escape her tank.
*She hasn't shed in about a month/two.. normal?
Could something be wrong? Or is this maybe some stress from all the sudden changes atop her tank? Should I have a different layout?

 

[diamc]

Boy, she does not look happy. How long has she been acting like that and how long ago did you get the Zilla UVB?

What are the tank temps and what type of thermometer are you using?

 

[luvlots78]

Maybe you should get rid of the zebra skin. My bearded doesn't like black at all

 

[kayleenxx]

She's been acting like this for about a week. I got the light a few days ago. I moved her tank .. should I try to put it back? I am using an adhesive therm. It's 89 on her rock and 96 on her tree. O

 

[diamc]

Is a Zilla bulb in the Zilla fixture? Her eyes do look irritated so if you are using the Zilla bulb, that could be the reason for her looking so unhappy.

The stick-on thermometers can be anywhere from 20 to 40 degrees off so I suspect at least part of the problem is the temps. You need to use either an infrared temp gun or digital with a probe as those are the only 2 ways to get accurate readings.

Have you ever had her checked for parasites? What feeders and greens does she eat in day or week?

 

[kayleenxx]

she doesnt eat greens. she eats blueberries and strawberries, and i feed her superworms.
she's picky, and since she is more mature i refuse to feed her anything less than superworms for they all carry more exoskeleton than anything.
would the zilla light really be affecting her? what should i use instead?
i put a pillow in her tank and she has been loving the softness of it, and going up and down on her basking spot- however, she won't eat now. she pooped yesterday and it looked very normal.
i'm going to give her a bath with some plain red gatorade and hopefully that will chipper her up a little bit. when i use the gatorade is the only time she will actually DRINK water.
i'm making a stop at petco today, so please- give me suggestions for what i should use as a replacement bulb- and maybe any supplements/ideas.
im at a loss.
her herp vet is on vacation.
so i am on my own here.

 

[kayleenxx]

i'm going to turn off the zilla light , and remove her new lid, and see if that makes a difference, it's all i can do really.. for now.

 

[kayleenxx]

alright, just had a gatorade-infused 20 minute bath, she ate ONE superworm, and is now basking on her tree branch- and i removed the zilla light and lid for now.
*crosses fingers*
- she does seem a lot more energetic just after the bath.

 

[diamc]

Sorry to hear that she still isn't eating or acting right. I highly suggest that you get an accurate way to check the temps by getting either an infrared temp gun or digital with long wire & probe end. If you have a WalMart near you, they have the AcuRite brand digital with probe that will give you both the basking & cool side temps at the same time as well as the humidity level and it only costs about $12.00. It would probably be in the garden center.

That's good that you turned off the Zilla light as they are known to cause problems including eye issues, loss of appetite, lethargy, etc. The best UVB's you can get in the U.S. are the Repti-Sun 10.0 strip fluorescent tube or the Arcadia 12% bulbs. Hopefully the pet store will have them, if not, we can send you links to where you can purchase them.

I'm not sure what greens and veggies you have tried but here's a list that shows the best staple foods in green print: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html There should be at least one of the good greens that she would like. Squash is also very good for them as you will see on that list. Blueberries and strawberries really aren't giving her what she needs. I always recommend feeding at least 2 different live feeders. Have you ever given her crickets, hornworms, silkworms, butterworms or dubias? All of those are very good feeders. Perhaps a change would help to increase her appetite.

That's good that she acted better after the bath. Rather than bathing her in red gatorade which could stain her skin, you could use either unflavored gatorade to bathe her in or bathe her in just plain water and put drops of the flavored gatorade on her nose for her to lick off.

What size tank is she in?

 

[kayleenxx]

well her basking spot hits 109
she ate 3 superworms yesterday
I took her out to let her run and she puffed/ hissed at me
I've done crickets but I'm afraid of how skeletony they are
I'll make a run for therm/light/feeders tmr
I have cats too so I'm nervous to get dubias .. What's the next best?

 

[kayleenxx]

Her tank is 50 gal

 

[diamc]

Hi, if her basking spot is hitting 109 with the stick-on thermometer, it may actually be much hotter. The sooner you can get a probe thermometer, the better. A temp of 109 is high for an adult, none of mine would be able to tolerate that and prefer a basking temp of 102 to 103 instead. Something for you to keep in mind.

How is she acting now that the Zilla bulb is turned off? Is her coloring or energy level any better at all?

Have you thought about silkworms, butter worms or horns? Dubias don't climb so they stay contained with no problem.

 

[kayleenxx]

she is much better without the zilla light, she is still lethargic, but her coloring is lighter. before it was staying her "sleepy" color.
i wish i would have known that before buying a light claiming to be a good light for beardies. $38-down the drain. oh well, someone on craigs might want it.
i've only ever tried supers/meals/crix. now if there is a website to order the other feeders from, please share- because all the local pet stores around here only sell meals/sups/crix.
i know this sounds silly, but can you maybe link me to what the proper light/temp gun is? just so i don't make another mistake..

 

[kayleenxx]

i hate having to see her so out of it. i wish there was just an easy fix for her. i know she doesn't like feeling like this either. she actually scared me yesterday when she hissed at me, guess it works on predators and mommies. but i'm thinking, a bath- some new feeders- and after a while, some run around time.
is there anything else any of you beardie-parent-veterans can share about homeopathic remedies for lethargic beardies?