New Beardie Acting Strangely

[Mittens]

Hi guys! As of this morning, Im a first time BD owner. I did my research, and bought a 4 month old female from someone in my area who didn't have the time for her anymore. Upon getting her home, Im starting to notice shes very lazy. She sleeps a lot and only walked around once today. She drags her back legs, and I've never seen her at a full stand. When I brought her home this morning, there was one live cricket in her cage, and she hasn't eaten yet (its midnight). She doesnt seem interested in her live crickets, in fact they just crawl on her and get up in her face.

I asked the previous owners how much she usually eats, and she said 5 crickets a day. Maybe she ate this morning and isnt hungry? i don't know what to think.

I don't think its impaction, due to having a carpet rather than substrate, and I don't see a bump or anything on her.

im thinking it might be MBD, as the lady I bought her from apparently wasnt using any vitamins. Also, I have my suspicions about her "UVB" bulb. She says it is, and honestly I don't know how to tell, and that lady didn't seem to know much about beardies. Is there anyway I can check on the bulb?

Theres not a specialist in my area I can take her to, and Im out of work right now short on money. Does anyone have any advice before I can see a vet?

 

[Grogshla]

Geez is it possible to show me a picture of your dragon and its enclosure.
We need to fix it up so your dragon can be healthy.
Is there any way to ring her and ask her what bulb she was using? or perhaps go over and take a picture?


What have you currently got as your enclosure set up???

 

[spurlee01]

Well, I would say if you cannot figure out what type of UVB bulb it is, you go ahead and replace it with the reptisun 10.0. The best price in the states is here http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/11442-504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-bulb.html. If you are not in the US, let me know and I'll try to direct you to a different bulb/ source. Additionally, it sounds like the baby may be impacted. Have you seen it poop at all? If not, you need to be bathing him/her daily in warm water, arm pit height, to try to help it poop. You can also feed squash babyfood, applesauce, or pumpkin (any of these with a tiny bit of olive oil) to help with pooping. Belly massages also can help. What are the temperatures in the tank and how are you measuring them? And what is the substrate?

 

[Mittens]

Well, the good news is that she ate some greens while I was sleeping, and then caught a cricket this morning. i saw her stand up on her front legs, which was a first. I gave her the apple sauce mixture, and she just flopped her face right in it then licked it all off her face, but hasn't gone back for more. I caught a quick video of her walking, if that helps anyone out. Also, I think shes starting to shed this morning. Would that contribute to any of her symptoms? Shes about to get her bath right now, im just giving her a bit to digest that light meal.


I texted the lady about the UBV light, no response yet so I'll keeep you updated.
I havent seen her poop, but I've had her about 24 hours as of writing this. During the time I had her, I hadnt seen her eat until this morning either, so im hoping she'll poop later on.

Right now, she dosen't have any substrate. When i bought her, she was living on a filthy carpet that looked like it'd been used her entire life, so the lady threw it out and thought I could start new. Today is supposed to be the day I go get her some, ( I was thinking a calcium sand? thoughts on substrate?) and check on that UBV bulb. However, Im writing from the Hospital with my sick brother. Depending on his condition, it might be tomorrow or the next day. Is it okay to go without for a day or two? or should I have a friend pick some up for me?

her warm side is about 95 degrees, and the cool side about 80. Im using a little thing that looks like a clock. Shes in a 20 gallon tank.


The video of her walking can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w61wmdGguT0




Photo Dump:


These are my lights. One is red, one is a very bright white.

This is her god awful tank. It came complete with LOTS OF poop and other messes I've gotta clean after Im done with this post.

This is how she sits, 24/7. The only thing that changes is her head position.

Here are some photos the lady sent me before i went to pick her up:

The partially standing in this one is reassuring, since i've only seen her use those front legs a couple times.

 

[AHBD]

Can you read what brand the white bulb is ? If it's not a mercury vapor bulb, which would provide UVB rays necessary to assimilate calcium, she most certainly has a calcium deficiency. The tank itself can't provide a heat gradient [ hot side of 105, cool side around 80] If you look at the thread on bearded dragon care, you will get the proper way to set up. As for now, she needs to get some calcium supplementation[ with D3] and the proper heat/lights. That will usually increase her appetite. Mix the calc. powder with any food she might eat.

 

[athenacp]

Don't use calcium sand it causes impaction! Paper towels could be used for now or you can get I think its called repti-carpet?
Don't use a red light at night either, it will keep the beardie awake and they need to sleep.
Other than that I will let the others post, I saw calcium sand and had to post the warning.

 

[Masick]

I asked the previous owners how much she usually eats, and she said 5 crickets a day. Maybe she ate this morning and isnt hungry? i don't know what to think.

only five crickets a day?! Mine are eating closer to 30 each. She def needs a correct UVB light, invest asap. The UVB light helps give them their appetite along with all the other things it helps with. The nice thing about them is that you only need to replace them once or twice a year.

Everything I have heard of says NO SAND! Carpet is great, paper towels work well, as does newspaper (I dont use newspaper because of the ink making their bellys look dirty lol). No need to be expensive either. Paper towels are great cuz they are cheap and you can use them to clean up their poo daily and just replace.

It blows my mind that the picture the lady sent you has two big piles of poo in it. Wouldn't you clean up the poo before you took a picture? Even worse, how long did she go between cleanings? Not a very good dragon momma.

Keep us updated.

Masick

 

[Mittens]

Thank you for everyones replies! Im getting on that light and calcium supplement.

After bath update:

The bath was a huge success I soaked her about 15 minutes and she took a GIANT poop. Seriously i think she lost 1/3rd her size. O.O I could clearly see a cricket in there, though. Like a cricket covered in a film rather than poop, all the old poop is like that too. Its got wings and stuff hanging out of it. Is this normal? She drank a TON of her bathwater, which is making me wonder if she doesn't know how to use that dogbowl the lady provided us with :| Any suggestions of something lower to use?

Bulb update:
The lady texted me back saying she wasnt sure if its UBV, but she bought it in a two pack from petco. So I went on their website and found a two pack with the exact same bulbs as mine: http://www.petco.com/product/111462/Zoo-Med-Basking-Combo-Pack.aspx?CoreCat=BeardedDragonHPLighting

It just says it has a "Basking Light" but nothing about UBV.... So Im pretty sure my babies been living with no calcium her whole life. once again, on it.

She seems a little bit more active after her giant poop, so hopefully that'll help out some

 

[AHBD]

That's great ! Those are the results you want to see !! And no, those bulbs are not UVB producing. You have one tough little dragon....good for her. Keep up the baths about 2-3 times a week for now, and I think in your original post you said that she eats greens, and that is GREAT. Use turnip, mustard, collard greens. Collards are tougher, so not as much and be sure to chop finely. IF..... you have the luxury of living in a warm state, getting her out in the sun 3-4 times a week for 30-40 min. in a plastic tote will give all the UVB she needs. Be sure that it doesn't over heat though if you do....a darker tote absorbs the heat, a clear plastic one stays much cooler so one or the other can be used according to the outside temps. The dragon would still need the normal heat in the cage for the rest of the day though, but it would not need the UVB bulb.

 

[AHBD]

Just another thought about putting a dragon outside....during the hotter months, a screen cage would be the way to go, with part of the cage covered for shade.

 

[Mittens]

Im leaving to the petstore in a few minutes to pick up a UBV bulb, some calcium, and smaller crickets. (the crickets this lady gave me are giant, i've been giving her the smaller ones.) She doesn't seem to want to chase her food around with her limp legs, so maybe freeze dried would be a good option?

Im in utah, so Its a bit too cold right now to take her outside for the next few months. I definitely have outside playtime plans in the summer though

Ive never even SEEN turnip, mustard or collard greens. Can you get them at a grocery store? o.o


Also: What does everyone think about the walking video? Severe? not too bad? D:

 

[AHBD]

The walking wasn't too bad, but she is definitely weak and under-nourished. You can get her in good shape now with the proper care. What type of greens did she eat for you? As for the ones I mentioned, yes, they can be found in grocery stores. Try to get a little from each bunch [ they sell in larger bundles] and the cashier should weigh them for you at the check-out. Those types of greens are loaded with nutrients. If you can only buy the pre-packaged salad greens, get the kind that has endive and dark leafy greens.When you offer greens, make sure there are no hard stems,,,these can cause impaction the way a too=large prey item can. Also, rinse the greens off and leave them a bit on the wet side....this will be added moisture, and put a little calcium D3 supplement on top. As for crickets, the freeze-dried don't appeal to many dragons....keep getting the medium live ones. The trick is to shake them up pretty hard in a small container or jar, mix the calcium powder in, and shake until they are too dizzy to dart around the cage. Just throw a few in at a time right near her, or offer them from your hand until she is doing better and can hunt on her own.

 

[Mittens]

Thanks again everyone really

She ate some spinach and broccoli, which I know isn't the best thing for her, but its what we had around. Im going to the store now to get some of the greens you mentioned + lamp and calcium.


I'll keep you guys updated!

 

[Masick]

Be very careful about the spinach. It actually has properties that bind with calcium so that she doesn't get it, instead she'll just poo it out. Some people say spinach can be a rare treat, but I'd stay away from it. you can buy collard greens frozen, with all of the frozen veggies (mixed frozen veggies are great too). I keep a bag in my freezer in case I run out of fresh stuff (which happens from time to time). All you have to do is take out the amount you'll fed her that day, thaw it and presto instant healthy foods. I hope this helps .

Masick

 

[Mittens]

I bought her some collard greens, reptical and attempted to get the UVB light. *facepalm* I bought the hood but not the light. I guess I was assuming $40 would get me both. I'm gonna go pick up the light with some more crickets tomorrow.

I bought 35 of the small ones and she ate about 20. Im glad to see her movin around after that massive poo

How often SHOULD she poop? Shes 4 months old and is eating a small salad with 20ish crickets a day. How often can she go without pooping? I read on a couple sites that after 4 days its time for the bath, but that seems too long for me. Any other opinions on that?