Not Eating, Lethargic, and Losing weight

[Ilikebeards]

MY bearded dragon is around 4/5 months old. He normally eats anywhere from 7-12 crickets a day (give or take a couple), has access to greens, and is offered tiny mealworms a couple of times a week (only 3 at a time max, but he usually will only eat 2 tops and the third goes back in the container). Live food is dusted with calcium three times a week and vitamins once a week. He is normally a pretty good eater and will only skip a day or two of eating each week (btw is that normal?). I offer him all the above on a daily basis, but sometimes he just will not eat or be interested in eating.

As of the past 3/4 days, he has not eaten a single item of food even when it is offered hand fed. He seems to be sleeping all day and night but will wake up and move around when alerted (I tried to get him to drink water from a syringe and he ran from me at his normal pace). He looks a bit skinnier too, but I don't know if he is actually losing weight or if it is just me freaking out. He doesn't seem to mind me holding him and in fact did not want to get off of me when I put him back in his tank.

He is in a 40-gallon tank with humidity ranging from 20-40% and a basking temp of around 105-115 depending on the day. At night, he has a ceramic heater since it gets cold where I am, which leaves the warm side of the tank around 75 give or take a couple degrees.

Does anyone know what this is? His skin doesn't have any signs of pre-shedding (that I can see except his tail is darker than normal). When/Should I take him to the vet? Please let me know. Thank you!

 

[KarrieRee]

What are you using for a UVB a coil or tube and where in the tank is it? Brand and bulb please-- the 105-115 temp is too hot -- how are you taking that temp? NO stick ons --- you should try and get it down to 105-110 - he may start liking it cooler now that he is around 5 months old - I would shoot for 95-110 - that is a bigger gradient and more options for him -- he should be eating more than he is and if he looks like hes losing weight then he probably is --- if you can post pics of the tank and lighting please https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ click on XIMG at the top of the message box then click on the pic it should post
Karrie

 

[Ilikebeards]

I currently have a uvb cool of 10 W by reptisun. I’m planning on getting the tube light but I have to move in about a week back to school and the town I’m in is small and does not carry those lights. Thank you for the note about the temperature and I’ll lower it and get a different thermometer. Any recommendations??

I offer him more food than that everyday but he will not eat it even when offered multiple times a day. I throw veggies in with his greens but he just has no interest in them.

I am currently working but will send a photo of his tank after.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok if your using a coil this would be the reason for not eating - what size tank is he in? You need the tube fixture a 24" for a tank that is 40+ gallon and a Reptisun 10.0 T 5- you will probably haft to order that fixture most petstores do not carry them - you can get a 24" fixture that is in stock now a vivarium the zoo med is out of stock do not use the bulb that comes w/ the vivarium it's not for reptiles-
http://www.pangeareptiles.com
Here is the UVB link https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/t5-uvb-light-fixture.html 24"
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html you need the 22"
Karrie

 

[Ilikebeards]

Ok if your using a coil this would be the reason for not eating - what size tank is he in? You need the tube fixture a 24" for a tank that is 40+ gallon and a Reptisun 10.0 T 5- you will probably haft to order that fixture most petstores do not carry them - you can get a 24" fixture that is in stock now a vivarium the zoo med is out of stock do not use the bulb that comes w/ the vivarium it's not for reptiles-
http://www.pangeareptiles.com
Here is the UVB link https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/t5-uvb-light-fixture.html 24"
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html you need the 22"
Karrie

Ordering the fixture and lights now. Should be here in a couple of days. For now, should I just keep trying to feed him?? Or is there anything else I can do for now?

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes get him outside for some UVB but I would use a plastic tote NO glass 15 minutes in direct sunlight/ partial shade NO longer - that will equal out to about 4 hrs of UVB - I would have him sit on you but I dont want him jumping off of you and you losing him --- if he is really lethargic and not moving that might work - then you can stay out longer for as long as you can stand the heat -- the UVB will do him good - you can do this several times per day until the UVB comes --- what did you order? Keep him hydrated and offer food after hes been out in the sun - see if he will eat then
Karrie

 

[Ilikebeards]

I ordered the exact products you put in the links and paid for the 2 day shipping which was the quickest. I’ll take him out tonight with the sun and try to give him as much as possible. I’ll try to feed him again after. He was moving around a bit more this morning but still just wanted to sleep. Drank water tho when prompted. Thank you so so much for helping and for your advice. I’ll keep you updated!!

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so when the T 5 comes you have 2 options---- the fixture can go on top of the screen w/ basking decor directly under it approx 8-10 inches --- inside the tank approx 12-15 inches from decor piece directly under it -- if you want it inside I have some things you can hang it w/
Karrie

 

[Ilikebeards]

Yes so the T5 came today and I am setting it up on top of his tank to see how he does with it tonight. I have been giving him warm baths every night and taking him out in the sun when I can (we've had some summer storms). I also diluted some pumpkin puree and syringe fed a little to him the past couple of days. Today he seems to be feeling much better (moving around more) and is back to eating crickets again! He only ate like 8 of them, but at least he is eating. I am going to try to feed him a little more in a couple of hours.

I am hesitant to start up mealworms again. Should I wait until he is eating a proper amount of crickets each day?

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes just stay w/ the salads and crickets for now
Karrie

 

[Ilikebeards]

Okay sweet! Thank you so so much for your help! I truly appreciate it