MBD

[PaulJC]

Hi everyone, I’m worried about my bearded dragon. He has been very lazy and does not move at days at a time. He will not chase food anymore either. I’ve also noticed that he has developed an underbite overtime. And lastly his growth is stunted. PLEASE help I’m very worried and don’t know if he is ok.
Thank you SO much

 

[Wickedpogana]

Hi everyone, I’m worried about my bearded dragon. He has been very lazy and does not move at days at a time. He will not chase food anymore either. I’ve also noticed that he has developed an underbite overtime. And lastly his growth is stunted. PLEASE help I’m very worried and don’t know if he is ok.
Thank you SO much

What uvb lights do you use and what do you have for a basking bulb . Enclosure size? What's the tempature and what do you use to measure the tempature . What are you feeding him?

 

[PaulJC]

I could upload pictures if you need.

 

[PaulJC]

I use a zoo med uvb and also a zoo med basking light that I get at my local pet smart. He is currently in a forty gallon tank and the temperature is around 90 degrees. I use an exo terra thermometer, and I feed him crickets.

 

[KarrieRee]

zoo med uvb---is this a coil or tube ? the temps are being taken w/ a probe or a stick on? My guess is the temps are off and the lighting is incorrect--- you can post pics so we can see what is going on
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ click on XIMG at top of the message box then click on the pic it should post
Karrie

 

[PaulJC]

 

[KarrieRee]

Yep just what I though -------------- Ok please get rid of the coil UVB I am going to post some info on the UVB's ask questions if you have them please
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--
I recommend you replace this ASAP w/a 24" fixture w/ a reflector and get the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 -- for temp gauges get the digital probes 2 of them from Petco or Petsmart --- if you need help finding the UVB fixture I have a website you can order from -- they are fast and good they ship Fed EX --please let me know what you get so we can help you place in the tank --- or on top of tank the T 5 's and the T 8's have certain distances they need to be from basking decor
Karrie

 

[PaulJC]

Ok, thank you for your time and helping me solve the problem. I’m ordering what you said right now and I also got some calcium. Once again thank you.

 

[KarrieRee]

Let us know what your getting so we can help place the UVB ---- you need to get his basking temps to 95-110 for a adult / juvie --- 105-110 for a baby -- its good to offer them a gradient heat -- and good basking decor piece that offers different places to sit would be good - when you get the probes take and place it for 10 minutes where he sits to bask --- that will give you an accurate temp of what his basking temp is --- you have different options for the T 5 if you want it in the tank or on top of screen-- the T 8 HAS to go inside the tank
Karrie