My Beardie is ILL!!! Please Help!

[TokiHacker]

My beardie Edgar is small and young. I made the stupid mistake and was never told to not use sand. I used reptile sand. He was very lively for the 1st week or so then became very lethargic. After I changed to reptile grass I was afraid that he was impacted so I started giving him daily bathes he has poo'd once ab a week ago. He gets greens and papaya and he doesn't even be seeming to eat that. I give him crickets but he doesn't eat them. He is in a 10 gallon tank and he has a heat rock and a 65w sunlight lamp and a 50w heat lamp I turn on occasionally... What do I do!!?? Please help!!

 

[tf2185]

I'm not an expert, but I'll tell you what I know and ask you some questions.

What are the temperatures in the tank and what are you measuring them with? We need three different temps; the cool side, the hot side, and the basking temp.

Im not sure what you lights are like but need a reptisun 10.0 for the UVB. I didn't see one mentioned or maybe I did but overlooked it. For you heat light, you can use a regular household bulb from home depot. Make sure they are bright white though but they are so much cheaper.

I would suggest taking the heat rock out of the enclosure. The reason is because dragons get their heat from above them not below them. The heatvrock could burn them without them even feeling it.

As for the possible impaction, there are several things you could do. You could massage his stomach in the bathtub, feed him unsweetened applesauce, feed him canned pumpkin(Not the kind you use to make pies, just the regular stuff) or you could feed him prune baby food. make sure that no matter what method you use, keep him hydrated.

I would try to cut back on giving him crickets, I know you say he doesn't eat them, until he gets a poop out. Until then you could feed him chicken or squash baby food. I prefer the chicken since the amount of protein is higher and he's you'd so he needs the protein.

I'm hoping someone more experienced will come along and offer better advice.

 

[TokiHacker]

Ok. So I just put new thermometers and new hydrometer in there so I will let you know that tomorrow. I will get a reptisun 10.0 tomorrow. I was using a reptiglo but it was one of those spunned lights and I heard those are bad so I got a daytime exoterra 60w. I meant to get a reptisun. Thankyou for your response and I will let you know more tomorrow. He is lethargic.....

 

[kcarello]

tf2185 gave you great advice. You should get a needleless syringe and feed him either the pumpkin or unsweeted applesauce, or the prunes with a drop or two of olive or mineral oil in it. You need a digital thermometer with a probe. Leave the probe in place for 45 minutes to an hour before taking the final reading. We need the basking SURFACE, hot side and cool side temps. These are very important. You can use a regular bright light household light bulb. Not the new energy saving kind. Make sure you keep him hydrated. Good luck and let us know what the temps are.

 

[traceyb73]

You can also try to feed him some baby food. Squash and turkey and veggies would be a good start. You can also get pedialyte to help if you think he might be dehydrated. You can use it in the bath too.

You might want to massage his belly gently, from the front legs down to his vent (butt) to help get things moving.

I would get the rock out of there. As said before, beardies do not feel heat from below and the rocks hold heat during the day and will even stay hot after the lights are out. It's just not worth the risk. Be sure when you get the light bulb that it's not a florescent or soft white. You want just a regular clear bulb.

Are you using calcium powder 5 times a week and a multivitamin the other 2 days? How do you use it? I mean do you dust the crickets? The salad?

How is he doing today?

Tracey

 

[TokiHacker]

He looks a little better. But I didn't know that I was suppose to dust 5 times a week I have been once a week

 

[traceyb73]

Yes, 5 times and then the days you don't dust, you do a multivitamin. I got the liquid stuff and I just spray it on her greens.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

A 10 gallon tank is likely to only need one basking light for that small of a tank.
Please let us know the temperatures in the tank once you get the digital probe or temp gun.
The daytime Exoterra, is it coated with neodymium also? If so, you will need to get just a regular household light bulb that is not coated with earth minerals, etc.

He may be impacted so as suggested, I would hold off on the insects & feed just soft foods such as sugar free applesauce, squash baby food & canned pumpkin for him. You can use a plastic dropper or syringe to try & feed him with.

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[TokiHacker]

Hey Guys,

So I work alot but have been doing everything I can. I am probing the tank now for the temps replaced the light with a reptisun 10 uvb like suggested, giving him turkey baby food and daily bathes. Eyes are opening more, and moves more when in his bath but still will not want to eat and still no poo... Is there anything else I can try?

EDIT: I didn't take the rock out just turned it off. It looks nice in the tank

I really hope I can bring this beardie back... It irritates me that the guys at the petshop did not have a clue what they were talking ab

 

[TokiHacker]

I just wanted to let everyone know... Edgar passed away this afternoon......

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

So sorry to hear *hugs*

 

[mistygirl]

very sorry to hear of your loss. It is very aggravating that pet stores sell beardies and they give so much incorrect information.

 

[Esther19]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[hertasder]

WOW! The information make me understand. You helped me so much. Thanks for sharing this. It made me understand something, and it is that I never knew before.

 

[kcarello]

So sorry to hear about your baby!