New beardie: help, is she weak?

[littlefootbeardie]

I have recently acquired a bearded dragon, who is 2 and a half years old. She has been settled for two days now, but I am worried that perhaps her previous owner didn't care for her so well - she is quite "floppy" and struggles a bit to climb up onto her rocks - her legs seem very weak and not very muscular. She is also not eating that much, but she is drinking and she has moved her food around her vivarium. I'm guessing she's still settling into her new environment (although the vivarium is the same as in her previous home). What should I do? Is there a way of strengthening her? Also what is the best ground to have her on - calci-sand? Thanks in advance!

 

[kornel351]

Maybe it could be brumation and even if calci sand is used to adults it's not recommended because of impaction .

 

[littlefootbeardie]

Thank you! What would you recommend instead of calci sand? C x

 

[JessPets]

Hello, if she is weak DO NOT LET HER GO INTO BRUMATION. Take out the calci-sand if you have it in right now and replace it with something non-partial. Good things to put down in its place would be reptile carpet, shelf liner, slate tile, paper towels, or newspaper. What UV does she have? What are her temperatures? What thermometer are you using? How about food? Greens? Please give us all available information you have about her.

 

[littlefootbeardie]

Thank you so much so helpful!! I will go and get her slate tiles today. She has a light and a UVB bulb. I have had her temperature during the day at 85 fahrenheight, and then turn it down a little for her night-time to around 75 (it is a reptile thermostat that came with her from the previous owner). For greens, I have given her cabbage, courgettes, apples and bell peppers. She has also had mealworms, but doesn't seem that keen. However, I do also think she is still just settling in maybe? She is my first so I am unsure of how much she should move. She wanders around quite a bit, but spends most of her time just basking, and I don't think she has many leg muscles as it seems a bit of an effort for her to climb. I ordered a digital thermometer that will arrive tomorrow so I can check temperatures more accurately. thanks so much, so useful! I want to be the best mother to her. C x

 

[JessPets]

Is her basking spot 85º?! It needs to be 100º-105º!! Also, what UV do you have? Is it a ReptiSun 10.0 tube? If not, that is what you need. You also need to turn off all lights at night. let the temp drop down. As long as it doesn't get lower than 65º or so, no extra heat is needed.

 

[littlefootbeardie]

Thank you! No that is her general temperature in her vivarium, so her basking spot will be around 105. I have ordered the thermometer to check yep her light is a tube. Ok great, thanks so much! Will revert back if I have any more questions! What do you find their ultimate favourite foods to be (that are also very good for them?) C x

 

[JessPets]

Okay, perfect My beardie LOVES dubias!!! He will literally do anything for them. Also, silkworms, BSLF, and (if he's big enough) hornworms. Butterworms and waxworms as treats

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Be sure to post pictures of her & the setup if you can.
I would stop offering the cabbage right now, as it is too high in oxalates & can bind calcium. Try mustard or collard greens, or even arugula is great, too. Are you giving calcium several times per week also? That could be part of the problem with regards to weak back legs.
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[Gormagon]

Go to the link in my signature below this and post some pics so we can better visualize what is going on.