Need help in case preventive action is needed

[Beenut]

I have a 6 or so month old beardie and I just got him a new cage by zoo-med but got him reptiglow lights to go with it. I decided he was old enough for a sand substrate so I decided to include that in the cage as well. Lately he has been hiding under his newfound shelter under the log where he has dug a little den for himself. I wasn’t too worried at first but he hasn’t really left it besides to poop in the past 2 days. I tried giving him some bok choy which is one of his usual greens and he looked at it but didn’t want it. I’m a bit of a worry wart so it would be nice if someone could inform me on if I should worry or help him in any way. Also if it is important for you to know the hottest spot in his cage is 110 and the coldest is 72.

 

[CooperDragon]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

 

[Beenut]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

He is alert enough to pull farther back when I reach in for him. he ate two small meal worms yesterday and that was it.

 

[Beenut]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

You also don’t think the sand could be affecting him right? It’s Vita-Sand also by zoo-med. it said it wouldn’t cause impaction and was ok for them but it did have a lot of dust particles that he could be breathing in possibly?

 

[kingofnobbys]

<<< first up a 5% UVB compact like the one shown is totally inadequate .
At 13W and 5%UVB , he'll going to have to literally ware the UVB globe and hood for a hat to get enough UVA & UVB to be healthy.
Your dragon needs AT LEAST a 25W UVB200 (or 10%UVB) tube and it must be places
> under the mesh
> in a reflector hood
> no more than 8 inches from the basking spot.

Better still invest in an Arcadia T5HO 12% tube and suitable reflector hood .
See this for guidance on setting up the lighting : viewtopic.php?f=34&t=235611

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

He is alert enough to pull farther back when I reach in for him. he ate two small meal worms yesterday and that was it.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

You also don’t think the sand could be affecting him right? It’s Vita-Sand also by zoo-med.

Ditch the VITASAND IMMEDIATELY - it's lethal when ingested by a dragon , IT WILL KILL HIM , VITASAND is CALCI-SAND in disguise , EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF LETHAL IMPACTION.

BTW : despite what you might have been told by someone else , there is no safe sand to use as bearded dragon subtrate.


it said it wouldn’t cause impaction and was ok for them but it did have a lot of dust particles that he could be breathing in possibly?

 

[Beenut]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

You also don’t think the sand could be affecting him right? It’s Vita-Sand also by zoo-med.

Ditch the VITASAND IMMEDIATELY - it's lethal when ingested by a dragon , IT WILL KILL HIM , VITASAND is CALCI-SAND in disguise , EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF LETHAL IMPACTION.

BTW : despite what you might have been told by someone else , there is no safe sand to use as bearded dragon subtrate.


it said it wouldn’t cause impaction and was ok for them but it did have a lot of dust particles that he could be breathing in possibly?

Can I still save him??

 

[Beenut]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

You also don’t think the sand could be affecting him right? It’s Vita-Sand also by zoo-med.

Ditch the VITASAND IMMEDIATELY - it's lethal when ingested by a dragon , IT WILL KILL HIM , VITASAND is CALCI-SAND in disguise , EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF LETHAL IMPACTION.

BTW : despite what you might have been told by someone else , there is no safe sand to use as bearded dragon subtrate.


it said it wouldn’t cause impaction and was ok for them but it did have a lot of dust particles that he could be breathing in possibly?

Can I still save him??

I will take him to the exotic vet immediately

 

[kingofnobbys]

Is he alert if you take him out of the tank? Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button when you reply.

The temperature gradient sounds good. Which Reptiglo light are you using for UVB? How far is it above his basking area?

You also don’t think the sand could be affecting him right? It’s Vita-Sand also by zoo-med.

Ditch the VITASAND IMMEDIATELY - it's lethal when ingested by a dragon , IT WILL KILL HIM , VITASAND is CALCI-SAND in disguise , EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF LETHAL IMPACTION.

BTW : despite what you might have been told by someone else , there is no safe sand to use as bearded dragon subtrate.


it said it wouldn’t cause impaction and was ok for them but it did have a lot of dust particles that he could be breathing in possibly?

Can I still save him??

I will take him to the exotic vet immediately

There should be a REPTILE VET in your area, exotics vets are not a good option as they are not trained or experienced with reptiles.
Tell the vet he's been on CALCI SAND , and you need to know if he has been ingesting any and if there are blockages in his gut. Xrays will very quickly show if there are , and the extent of these.

If you have acted fast enough you may have dodged a bullet.

 

[Beenut]

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

 

[Beenut]

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

 

[Beenut]

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

In so mad products like this falsely advertise their safety. This is why bearded dragon accessories can be hard to find. If you have any good replacement carpet options let me know.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

In so mad products like this falsely advertise their safety. This is why bearded dragon accessories can be hard to find. If you have any good replacement carpet options let me know.

I don't recommend carpets in vivs , they are super hard to keep clean and a damp contaminated carpet (with food, urates, feces , water) is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and moulds which can result in a very sick dragon. Just as bad a sand in this aspect.
Plus most carpets sold for reptile enclosures are snag hazards for their nails.
Domestic lino, paper (news print or absorbant paper towels) or loosely laid wall or floor tiles (at least 6" x 10" are your best options.

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

Don't let them do an enema unless IT"S PROVEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY - dragons have been killed as a result of an incompetent vet doing enemas .
If it were my dragon I would be on the phone and insisting I talk to the vet and I would Insist on Xrays to prove there is sand impaction in his gut BEFORE any intrusive / traumatic or risky interventions. Don't leave this to the vet to decide without discussing ALL risks with you FIRST.

There are vets out there who will do unnecessary treatments because they are money hungry.

 

[Beenut]

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

In so mad products like this falsely advertise their safety. This is why bearded dragon accessories can be hard to find. If you have any good replacement carpet options let me know.

I don't recommend carpets in vivs , they are super hard to keep clean and a damp contaminated carpet (with food, urates, feces , water) is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and moulds which can result in a very sick dragon. Just as bad a sand in this aspect.
Plus most carpets sold for reptile enclosures are snag hazards for their nails.
Domestic lino, paper (news print or absorbant paper towels) or loosely laid wall or floor tiles (at least 6" x 10" are your best options.

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

Don't let them do an enema unless IT"S PROVEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY - dragons have been killed as a result of an incompetent vet doing enemas .
If it were my dragon I would be on the phone and insisting I talk to the vet and I would Insist on Xrays to prove there is sand impaction in his gut BEFORE any intrusive / traumatic or risky interventions. Don't leave this to the vet to decide without discussing ALL risks with you FIRST.

There are vets out there who will do unnecessary treatments because they are money hungry.

Giving you an update. He is well. They did say to get rid of the sand and it was causing a bit of problems but a soak was all that was needed and he pooped. I am still fortunate to have taken him to a good vet that knew a lot about reptiles and they did a fecal sample and found Giardia. They gave me some medication for that and recommended me for better gutload for my crickets. Thanks for all the quick responses and investment!
Also thanks for the recommendation on floor padding newspaper should be easy

 

[kingofnobbys]

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

In so mad products like this falsely advertise their safety. This is why bearded dragon accessories can be hard to find. If you have any good replacement carpet options let me know.

I don't recommend carpets in vivs , they are super hard to keep clean and a damp contaminated carpet (with food, urates, feces , water) is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and moulds which can result in a very sick dragon. Just as bad a sand in this aspect.
Plus most carpets sold for reptile enclosures are snag hazards for their nails.
Domestic lino, paper (news print or absorbant paper towels) or loosely laid wall or floor tiles (at least 6" x 10" are your best options.

Ok I dropped him off. They said they would try an enema and or soaking first. I hope I was quick enough.

Don't let them do an enema unless IT"S PROVEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY - dragons have been killed as a result of an incompetent vet doing enemas .
If it were my dragon I would be on the phone and insisting I talk to the vet and I would Insist on Xrays to prove there is sand impaction in his gut BEFORE any intrusive / traumatic or risky interventions. Don't leave this to the vet to decide without discussing ALL risks with you FIRST.

There are vets out there who will do unnecessary treatments because they are money hungry.

Giving you an update. He is well. They did say to get rid of the sand and it was causing a bit of problems but a soak was all that was needed and he pooped.

<<< dodged a bullet there …. very lucky you acted promptly and found a vet who took the least stressful and less invasive / safest approach .



I am still fortunate to have taken him to a good vet that knew a lot about reptiles and they did a fecal sample and found Giardia.
>>> Replace the paper daily while he is being treated for Giardia , else he is likely to reinfect himself by having contact with the spores/eggs on his bedding. Beardies are tasty feely little guys.

Did the vet advise proper sterilization of his tank and all his solid furnature (hide, branch, basking grotto/rock) and tank insides ?

I think F10sc made up as 1:150 dilution in water might be effective sprayed into everything and left to air dry (contact time at least 30 minutes).

They gave me some medication
what med is he on ? and the doseage ?

for that and recommended me for better gutload for my crickets.

what was the vet's recommendation ?

I buy Repcal Adult Beardie Pellets and use these straight out of the bottle to feed my crickets (they love them much more than dragons ever did) , and also give them chunks of raw fresh carrot (both food and source of hydration for the crickets) and gut load a day or two before I use the crickets with fresh choi greens.


Thanks for all the quick responses and investment!
Also thanks for the recommendation on floor padding newspaper should be easy