LG ~ The Handi-Capable Bearded Dragon

[jscott]

Hey, I just turned on LG's lights about an hour ago and I was a little worried by his behavior. He seemed to be shivering a little at one point, like not a lot of shaking, just little tremors.

He looked like he was asking me for food, but when I offered it he didn't want it. I gave him some water which he did seem to like.

Now, his mouth is slightly open but he isn't gaping. I'm worried there might be something wrong with his mouth. Last year when I took him to the vet, the guy said there was no mouth rot. I have always been afraid of that, because I've seen it in so many lizards...

I'll try to get some close up pictures of his mouth, but I don't know how that's gonna work... :?:

 

[jscott]

OK, well I went back to snap a few pics of his mouth, but when I looked at him he seemed fine.

Anyhow I took a close up of his mouth as well as a few nice photos of him:

 

[Goonie]

Great shots of LG! The first pic of him lounging has got to be my favorite so far. He looked so regal

Not sure what I'm suppose to see, but I don't see anything wrong with his mouth. As a matter of fact, it's perfect.

 

[fresnowitte]

I must agree with Gina...Jason is it the darker scales on his lips that you are worried about?
I think that's rather normal as they get older. :wink:

 

[meadowsmommy]

Could he be getting ready to shed? Thats kinda what that looks like to me.

 

[beardie osk]

He looks like a handsome boy to me!

 

[Monkey]

too bad the bandwhidths been exceeded I wanted to peak on the pictures. I read your story and its so amazing. You are truly one good hearted soul!
A lot of propps to you!

 

[jscott]

Hey everyone, time for an update;

LG has been feeling kind of down lately. I don't know whats up, but occasionally he just doesn't want to eat or bask.

He was out the last couple days and while sometimes he looks grumpy, for the most part he seems OK. He still doesn't want to eat(it's been 3 days).

Here are some recent pix and a video too:

These are LG's grumpy colors. He doesn't look like this right now, but this was taken earlier today:

Here is that video; You can kind of see a little head shiver about halfway through, I don't know whats causing that:

 

[TheFlyingLime]

Was the head shiver the part where he closes his mouth and looks away? It looks like he's just stretching his beard or something...

Also, that boy has the sweetest eyes!

 

[meadowsmommy]

HE may just be having a few off days. Meadow is like this sometimes. I would just keep offering him food, and give him cuddles. Maybe try some raspberry baby food, Meadow loves this when she wont eat, seem to get her palate going again.

 

[beardie parents]

I couldn't see the head shiver but it's possible I missed it. Usually a shiver like you described is caused by mdb problems. I noticed the closeup of his mouth. I don't really remember that far back and I don't have the time to go look tonight, but was his mouth always like that? The only way I see problems like lg's mouth is caused by a lack of calcium. It's possible that he can't absorb powdered calcium and he might need some liquid calcium. How old is your reptisun 10 tube? If it's around 4.5 months of age it probably needs replacing. Goldie lost her appetite when her reptisun 10 tube had been in use that long. Her appetite increased after we got her a new bulb.

Just my thoughts. You could pm drache613 (tracie, I'm sure you remember her) and ask her about the calcium and if lg might need it.

 

[jscott]

Well, he's had a under bite like that for most of his life. I wondered the same thing last year, and after looking over the pictures it seems to have occurred in his early life.

Now that I know about proper care, I've been pretty careful about his calcium intake(1/3-1/2 of his food gets calcium).

Yea, he is definitely still doing the head shivers. He looks at me when he's doing it, sometimes he crawls towards me.

I am thinking more and more about the vet. I am going to call that last vet and see if he'll cut his price in half(last visit was $120 for a physical and fecal exam).

I just gave him a bath after he passed a small stool. I've seen tons of his poops, and this one was very small. Soft but somewhat pasty urate, with light and dark brown. I didn't see any worms, and I hear the eggs are too small to see.

I will try to get those pics up asap.

P.S. I just replaced his Reptisun 10.0 on 03/02/2010, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Goonie]

Jason, I didn't see LG doing any head shivers. During which frames did he do that??

 

[jscott]

I just went back and posted the link to the video;

Photobucket really chops down the quality on pictures and videos... :x

That video runs smoothly on my camera or computer, you can see the slightest movement. On this photobucket video though, you really cant make out anything.

I tried to capture the shaking but it is very impromptu and even when I keep the camera right near his cage, by the time I turn it on the shaking has stopped.

It isn't up and down shaking; It's more side to side, though he doesn't make exaggerated movements, just slight tremors.

I really hope he doesn't have a neurological problem.

 

[jscott]

Here are those pictures I took while he was in the bath. The last two came out pretty nice, and he looks content:

I'll keep trying to get a video of him shaking, besides that, there isn't much I can afford. However, I did just get back from an interview at a resturaunt near me. It look's like I might get a second job or a new full time job. Either way, if it works out I will be able to afford another vet visit.

Keep your fingers crossed, hopefully I'll start on Tuesday.