Limp Bearded Dragon

[WilliamB]

Hi Everyone, I have a 3 year old male Bearded Dragon and over the last five days he has become very limp and not eating. I did what we all do an googled for answers. I found out that they do something called 'brumation' and I am hoping it could be that. He has pooed a couple of days a go and does move around slightly. Nothing has changed in his environment, he as a basking halo spot bulb and long UBV strip bulb. I got all the equipment from the RSPCA. He has blackness at the edges of his beard and he does feel cold. is there anything I should be doing to help or just take to the vet?

 

[KarrieRee]

The UVB is a T 5 or a T 8 and how old is the bulb-- is the UVB inside the tank or on top of the mesh/ screen? The basking bulb is a halo? Is it a bright white basking bulb or off white yellowish? What are the basking temps and how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- we need to rule out lighting first before determining brumation

 

[WilliamB]

Hi, I am not sure it the UBV light is T5 or T8, I have had it for about 10 months. The Basking light is halo and yellowish. I use an electric thermometer, that is attached in the tank and controls the basking light temp.

 

[KarrieRee]

Please look on the UVB bulb itself it will tell you - brand and look for T 5 or T 8 on it-- the basking bulb needs to be change out to a bright white basking bulb and you want temps between 95-110 for a adult dragon -- that temp needs to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons they are inaccurate --- distance and placement of the UVB is crucial along w/ effective dates as T 5's are a good for a year and T 8's only 6 months -- please specify ---

 

[WilliamB]

HI KarrieRee,

Thank you the UBV bulb is T5 and sit long the inside of the tank.
I will invest in a digital temp probe. I have decided to take him to the vets today, but can I ask how long the lights should be off at night?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How did the vet visit go today?
That is a nice bulb, how close to him is it?
You should aim for a day to night cycle of at least 10 hours of nighttime without light &
14 hours of daytime. That is not set in stone but it can vary with the seasons, etc.
Has his beard been dark for very long?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[KarrieRee]

Distance should be 12-15 inches for UVB --- how old is the bulb? If its a year old it should be changed - he should have a piece of basking decor directly underneath it---you need to get the digital probe so you know what his basking temps are --- if he feels cold thats not good -

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your dragon doing this evening?
Be sure to measure the temperatures so you can optimize his health with the proper
temperatures. Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[WilliamB]

Hi Everyone, Sorry not replied immediately, but I don't have good news. Unfortunately he died. I could not get a vets appointment with a specialist reptile vet in time and took him to a regular vet. Although the vet again advice over the phone, the was too unwell and passed away. The vet could not give me a definite answer on the cause, so if anyone has any ideas that would be helpful. Thank you again for the advice, I wish I had found this site earlier. Best Regards.

 

[KarrieRee]

I am so sorry to hear -- sometimes they are just to far gone when we get them to save them -