new dragon hiding from uvb

[Dillon138]

I recently (3 weeks ago) adopted a neglected and slightly underfed female dragon. He enclosure was full of wallnut shell (full of buried poop), her uvb light about a year and half old, and generations of crickets left in with her. She had a big impaction i got her through and some dehydration she has snapped back from.

I have sense i got her put in a brizilian slate substrate, gave her new decor for hiding and basking, and most recently (where the problem is) got her a new uvb light. She was acting great and eating well with the old lights after the impaction wa clear and the dehydration was fixed but when i got her a new uvb bulb (zilla 50 because the reptisun 10.0 i got burnt out instanly and they had no more) she stoppes basking at all and just hid and he diet slowley decreased, after 3 days i turned of the light to see if it was the issue and she started basking again later that day, so i returned it and got my personal favorate uvb bulb the powersun 100watt (her old uvb was a exo terra sunglow 100watt) and abiut 30 min after it came on she stopped basking.

So is she not use to uvb in general from being deprived, or is this dragon more sensitive than my others. Plz help me out i want the best for her but im not sure what to do next.

Her basking spot is 108-100 depending where she lays, warm side is about 95, cool side is 85. She eats about 20 dubia a day but only 10 today, bathing every two to three days.

 

[dragonlover3]

Do you know her approximate age? Baby, juvenile or adult? What do you measure temps with? Are you measuring basking surface for basking temp? Proper temps are very important for their general health, all metabolic processes, digestion, absorption and good immune system.

Zilla 50 UVB have been known to demonstrate health related problems for some bearded dragons and are not recommended although new info is the manufacturer claimed to have fixed the problem. I have not tested them as I don't have a solar meter but they have been known to cause eye problems and eye sensitivity or injury in bearded dragons making them not want to bask, hiding to avoid the UVB. This can lead to secondary symptoms of lethargy and loss of appetite.

It suggests to me that may be the problem since she would bask but avoid the basking area when the UVB was in use. Her eyes may need a rest and to recover for a few days if they've become sensitive or injured from the Zilla 50 before she will be comfortable basking with another UVB in use. She will be ok without the UVB for a few days if you choose to rest her eyes to recover if that is the problem. I'd keep the basking light on for her to get warmed.

Anytime there is any problem with appetite, regardless of what else may be happening, having a fecal done is a good idea. They can have parasites and need treatment in addition to whatever else is occurring. Treating if they have parasites helps them recover quicker as they aren't fighting parasites in addition to any other issue.

 

[Dillon138]

I use a temp gun for my temps and my girlfriend works for a vet so free fecals, so ive done that as well and shes clear.

So just turn out the light andd how long should i give her eyes?

 

[dragonlover3]

That's great you had a fecal done! Yes, just turn the UVB light off so she will come to bask and warm up. Warming up is very important. She will be ok without the UVB for a short while. I'd rest her eyes for 3-4 days and try the UVB again. If she is still sensitive and hides again you can turn it back off for a few more days. If the problem is her eyes got hurt with the other UVB it should recover and she'll start basking with the UVB in use. It may take a while for her eyes to recover if it was that Zilla UVB that hurt them. Are you able to get her outside in the sun. Taking her outside for 1/2 hour to hour will help her with UVB but protect her eyes. You can hold her and gently cover her head with one hand or small piece of cloth. Usually if their head is covered they will be pretty chilled.

 

[jgolden4958]

We rescued one in a similar situation. We called the vet immediately. The guy never had a UVB on her and she hid from ours. The vet just said to take her outside until she was better (we did a full bloodwork done and she had an infection) after 3 weeks of 3 different medicines every day and going outside for about 30 minutes a day she's feeling 1000% better. She had severe calcium deficiency to the point where she didn't even want to move around. We've had her for about a month and she's running around and as happy as can be. She's slowly coming out into the UVB. A little more every day. Just be patient and know that you are giving her a healthy life and she's gonna be happy about that. (I also believe that taking her outside on my chest got her to trust me more, I think she hated me for having to give her medicine)