Hi everyone, for the past two weeks or so, my male bearded dragon who is about 2 years old has stopped eating, but is continuing to drink water. I have read on a couple sites that some bearded dragons do slow down their metabolism when it is colder out/winter months (i am in NY). I am just getting a little worried however, because he seems to be losing some weight. I have tried feeding dubia roaches, superworms, berries, and greens but he simply is not interested/closes his eyes when i try to hand feed. My lighting is up to the standard: basking bulb, ceramic heat emitter, and a linear uvb that spans 75% of his enclosure. Any advice about what might be going on would be greatly appreciated!
UVB is up to standard? What is that? Its possible he could have parasites--- does he have runny poops and do they smell so bad it make you want to leave the room? One of the many reasons for not eating-- also basking temps what are they and how are you taking them? NO stick ons -- they are inaccurate
Karrie
Thanks for the reply. i have a t5 linear uvb bulb its almost at the 6 month age so i just ordered an arcadia t5 that should get here within the next few days. Am measuring the temperature with a digital temperature/humidity gage on both the warm and cool sides.
Also, he is only passing urate; there is no poop, i suppose from not eating for the past two weeks.
Sounds like hes dehydrated possibly--- the T 5 is where in the tank or on top of tank? Distance plays a role in the UVB rays------------ keep your Arcadia you have coming its probably not the UVB -- try giving him some water either by bathing or syringe give slowly so he does not aspirate and or/ dropping water on his nose--------- is the urate white chalky dry looking?
Karrie
The uvb is currently mounted inside the tank. He is also drinking every other day from his water bowl/in baths...his urates are chalky and white/yellow in color.
Distance to basking decor for UVB???? Is the UVB directly above him -- can he sit directly under it ? The white chalky is dehydrated but it could also be too much supplements as well --- what kind of supplements are you giving him
Karrie
Yes, he can sit directly under it. It is about 4-5 in away from him. There is a hammock and branch that allows him to get under the backing light and UVB light. His urates were yellowish in color this afternoon. I am currently dusting salads with calcium w/ D3 twice a week and adding in a multivitamin in once a week, but he has not ate anything in about 2 weeks.
Ok for the T 5 its too close for distance - it needs to be 12-15 inches above the basking decor -- that could be one reason why hes not eating but I am not sure --- I would get it moved up - so your not giving too much calcium so that is good --- but not sure if that UVB is causing the yellow urate
Karrie
Okay, I will move the UVB to be a little further, i think it is more like 7-8 in away not 5in... but i move some things around to make it the proper distance. Should i not mount the UVB on the inside of the enclosure?
I think i will look and see if anyone else had had the yellow urate problem...
Thank you for your help thus far i appreciate it!
No your good -- lets let some others weigh in on possible causes for the yellow urate --- I am gonna flag the post to AHBD and Tracie and see what they think
Karrie