Not Eating because of Shedding?

[Brandeis]

My 3 month old beardie has stopped eating completely. The day before she only ate around 5 crickets but today she hasn't eaten anything. Could this have to do with her about to shed? I noticed excess shed around her lips and head and I've seen her rubbing off the shed around the cage. Her tail has gotten a lot lighter in color which could mean she's getting ready to shed right? I noticed no shed or lightening of skin color around her body or limbs. Is this a bad sign? I hope this has something to do with her shedding and nothing serious. THX

She has pooped everyday since I got her which was a week ago.

 

[MsCarter]

Shedding could certainly cause this. My 6 month old who is a fatty refused food today because she is having a face shed as well. I can only imagine how miserable that must feel for the poor things. What you can do is give her a warm bath atleast every other day while she is shedding. This should help give her a little relief. It is very common for them to shed in patches. It can be pretty random. And the pale color you are describing sounds like a soon to be shed in progress.

Just to be on the safe side and make sure nothing else could be causing a loss in appetite, could you share a little info about your set up with us? What her current temps are, type of UVB light, and substrate you are using?

 

[Brandeis]

I am currently using a 10.0 UVB and a 100 WATT Basking bulb. At the top of her basking spot, it stays around 110°F and 90-100°F on the lower basking spot. The cool side stays around 70-80°F. I use paper towels as substrate to avoid impaction.

Shedding could certainly cause this. My 6 month old who is a fatty refused food today because she is having a face shed as well. I can only imagine how miserable that must feel for the poor things. What you can do is give her a warm bath atleast every other day while she is shedding. This should help give her a little relief. It is very common for them to shed in patches. It can be pretty random. And the pale color you are describing sounds like a soon to be shed in progress.

Just to be on the safe side and make sure nothing else could be causing a loss in appetite, could you share a little info about your set up with us? What her current temps are, type of UVB light, and substrate you are using?

 

[MsCarter]

Sounds perfect.
At this point I believe it is safe to assume her loss of appetite could be do to the stress invoked from the shed. Try giving her warm baths to provide some relief and continue offering food 2-3x a day to encourage her to eat. You may also want to mist her face to offer water 2-3x a day. Since she is not eating a lot right now she will need this to stay well hyderated.
Let us know if her appetite doesn't pick back up in a few days, with her being only 3 months we don't want her to go too long without eating.

 

[Brandeis]

She hasn't eaten anything yesterday or today but when I woke up I noticed she pooped. The poop was solid. Is it normal for beardies to poop when they haven't eaten anything? THX

Sounds perfect.
At this point I believe it is safe to assume her loss of appetite could be do to the stress invoked from the shed. Try giving her warm baths to provide some relief and continue offering food 2-3x a day to encourage her to eat. You may also want to mist her face to offer water 2-3x a day. Since she is not eating a lot right now she will need this to stay well hyderated.
Let us know if her appetite doesn't pick back up in a few days, with her being only 3 months we don't want her to go too long without eating.

 

[MsCarter]

That's a good sign, that lets us know she isn't starving as her system still has food to digest. And the fact that it is well formed is great as well. Keep offering food and if she still isn't eating anything by tomorrow we may need to discuss slurries. This is where you will either use baby food (such as chicken for protein) or mash up insects and mix in a little water for a base and add a little calcium and vitamin powder and syringe feed it to her.
But I'd love to hear that she is eating well again by tomorrow so that none of that will be needed. Good news is they usually will not starve themselves and will eat when they are hungry.

 

[Brandeis]

She pooped solid this morning. She had stress lines and generally was darker. I offered her food outside of her enclosure but she denied it. As soon as I put her back in the cage I decided to offer her food in the enclosure. Surely enough she started chasing and munching on the dubias. I guess I learned she doesn't like eating outside of her cage. She is currently basking and her stress lines are gone. Her skin tone is lighting up also. THX

That's a good sign, that lets us know she isn't starving as her system still has food to digest. And the fact that it is well formed is great as well. Keep offering food and if she still isn't eating anything by tomorrow we may need to discuss slurries. This is where you will either use baby food (such as chicken for protein) or mash up insects and mix in a little water for a base and add a little calcium and vitamin powder and syringe feed it to her.
But I'd love to hear that she is eating well again by tomorrow so that none of that will be needed. Good news is they usually will not starve themselves and will eat when they are hungry.

 

[Zanna]

I had the same trouble with my sons baby beardie after his/her second week here, its into its second shed and is still eating so I'm thinking it was more relocation stress in addition to the shedding. The amazing ppl here saved our babies life as it went on for over a week. Keep offering food, droplets of water, baby food, veggies and done chopped greens ... Switch up the insects if u bought from a pet store. Our darling refuses crickets still! Lol

 

[MsCarter]

She pooped solid this morning. She had stress lines and generally was darker. I offered her food outside of her enclosure but she denied it. As soon as I put her back in the cage I decided to offer her food in the enclosure. Surely enough she started chasing and munching on the dubias. I guess I learned she doesn't like eating outside of her cage. She is currently basking and her stress lines are gone. Her skin tone is lighting up also. THX

So good to hear your little one is eating. If she is stressed out by eating outside of her enclosure than just let her enjoy her meals the way she wants them in her viv. My female is the same way, she will not typically eat food outside of her enclosure.