Max is acting way off...seems sick?

[rhondau]

Three days ago he started sitting under his light with his head cranked to the left like he was trying to get the light on his right side of his neck...he has done this before and soon started to shed, he is still doing it but now he is walking around that way as well... when I hold him he sits that way with me. He is not eating as much, and he has been tearing his tank apart, spilling his water everywhere, dragging his salad out of his bowl and making a MESS with his poop! yuck! he used to be so particular with his surroundings and a great eater. I just changed his uvb a month or so ago so that should be fine and his temps seem fine too...Anyone with any suggestions? the head cranking thing has be super worried because he does not look comfortable at all and seems to be stuck like that! Thanks for any suggestions!
Rhonda

 

[AtlasStrike]

If he is splashing around in his water dish, he could have gotten water in his ear(s). I would get rid of the dish (at least temporarily, I know there is some disagreement about whether beardies should have them) and try to bring the temperatures up in the tank to help dry it out. If it persists, or gets worse, it could be an ear infection or something else, and in that case, a trip to the vet is in order.

Depending on how well your beardie handles heat, you could do 105-110 basking, cool side 85ish, and keep the tank around 80 at night for a few days. That should help dry out the ears, and keep Max's metabolism and immune system working to fight off any (potential) infection.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Could also be spring crazies. What UV did you get?

 

[rhondau]

Thanks for the responses. He seems a little better, at least he isn't walking with a crooked neck anymore. I took the water dish out of his tank and the humidity went down 15%. I put a 100w basking bulb in which made it a bit warmer. He still is acting "wierd" but not "scary wierd" like before. I wish he would go to the bathroom, it has been 4 days, and he is eating consistently now. I am hoping it is mostly spring fever he hasn't shed for a while either sometimes he gets crazy right before and during his shed.