Lethargic...Shedding Behavior?

[lvazquez]

Hello Everyone,

I got my beardie about a month ago as a rescue and he is probably around 5 or 6 months old. Since I got him, he has grown a lot. Probably since he's actually getting fed well. He eats crickets twice a day and gets his bowl of salad (collard greens, kale, mustard greens) for the whole day. He started shedding on his head and two legs a few days ago and now the rest of his body is getting dark like it's going to shed. Yesterday he pretty much slept all day and the same today. He ate normal until dinner tonight as he really had no interest in his crickets. Is this normal behavior during shedding or is something else going on?

 

[waltersgirl]

It is not unusual for a bearded dragon to sleep a little more and eat less while shedding but I would not wait to have him checked. Since you rescued him a month ago has he had a vet checkup? I would recommend having a fecal sample run just in case if you haven't had it done since you rescued the little guy. I have had a couple of young dragons who appeared healthy and happy showing no signs of illness (beardies hide it well) until it was too late. After they had not eaten for a couple days, I took them to the vet but they lost enough weight with their small size that they couldn't fight off the parasite they had inside them and the side effects of the medication to rid them of it. Don't wait. If you have had a checkup and fecal test, make sure they did a fecal float and a fecal smear as both are necessary to find all the possible issues. If they have all been done, then I would make sure not dehydrated as that can cause them to not eat either. Is he defecating normally? Are the urates hard, soft or in between? Fluid present? Condition of and presence of poo is important to deciphering bearded dragon health problems.

 

[lvazquez]

Thanks for responding! Since it has been so cold in NY, I didn’t want to take him out unless necessary. I’m going to try and get him to the Dr. today. He was cold this morning when I woke up so I put him under his basking lamp but he didn’t stay long. He’s definitely not dehydrated because there is always fluid present when he poops and his poop is normal. Yesterday he didn’t poop but that is not unusual. Sometimes he won’t poop and then poops double the amount the next day. I haven’t fed him this morning yet but hopefully he goes after that. If he is cold to the touch, why would he keep hiding?

 

[lvazquez]

So no herp vet I trust is in or open today so I have to try tomorrow. He just pooped and it was lighter in color than usual and there was a lot of fluid. Is he too hydrated? Is that possible? Also he didn't eat much again. Only about 10 small crickets.

 

[waltersgirl]

I don't think he would be too hydrated but I worry about parasites and such. Make sure you keep his poo for the vet to test. If he goes again before you see the vet throw out the sample you have and keep the fresher sample. I normally just put it in a baggie. Does it smell really strong? The color of his poo is determined by what he eats usually but changes in it with no change in diet would catch my attention. What temp is his cool side? Basking spot? Sometimes I put my girl in her basking spot and pet her so she relaxes. I saw on your previous posts you are using a dial thermometer. It is best to get a digital. Those dials don't work well. Basking spot should be 100-105 and cool side should be around 80. If he is not well you should keep the night temp around 80 in the cage. What is your lighting set up? What kind of UVB light are you using?
They like the dark when they sleep so I use a ceramic heat emitter on their cages to keep them warm as I live in Montana and it is cold here too, sometimes (haven't had a very normal winter). When I have to take them out in this weather, I put them in a small blanket or towel warmed in the dryer with one of the hand warmer packs wrapped in it. Then I tuck them inside my coat. But if he doesn't like to stay on you when you are holding him I would put him and the blanket and hand warmer in a small box or one of the critter cages. Pumpkin had to go to the vet in negative temps last month but she was nice and warm when we got there.

 

[lvazquez]

His poop has always smelled strong to me so no change there. As for the dial thermometers, they are completely useless. I'm going to a reptile expo today and will be getting the digital. I left his night light on(the red one) with his regular heat lamp today to make sure Temps are good. For uvb I use the reptisun 10.0 tube. I'm going to try to post new pics of him and his new set up but it might be tonight bc I have trouble uploading from my phone.

 

[waltersgirl]

I would swap the red lamp for a ceramic heat emitter. And it is good you are getting a good thermometer. It will tell you if his set up is working or if you need something else. Sometimes I have to leave the heat emitter on during the day to get temps up. Or I move to a higher watt bulb. Both will work to raise temps.

 

[lvazquez]

Ok, it worked. The ones of him are upside down for some reason though. The spray bottle is only used to mist his salad outside of the tank.

 

[lvazquez]

I am going to get the ceramic heat emitter. Thank you so much for your help. I just want my Chubbs to be happy.

 

[waltersgirl]

You might add another piece of cage furniture...his cage looks empty. They like hiding places and need to have different levels to bask in. The digital thermometer and ceramic heat emitter will help too. Also, ask around if needed to find the best herp vet in town. Get a fecal test and make sure. At least then you will know and can move on provide the best care he can get.

 

[lvazquez]

So I got the heat emitter, the digital thermometer, and a hide. I also want to get him a plant or two but I have to look into what is okay. He has perked up a lot today and ate his usual greens and crickets for dinner. I even got him some phoenix worms and he loved them. He's been basking a lot on the new hide. Thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it.

 

[waltersgirl]

List of safe plants.
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html