Old fella been lethargic for a week -help please

[Hdcarney]

I don't know his specific age as he joined our family full sized from someone who had him for a year (and she acquired him from some else also). We have had him 6 years and all has been well. Until as of lately, he has been getting slower and I just assumed it was his age (we figure at least 9yo). But now he is not eating, barely moving. (55 gallon tank, UVB LIGHTS, Heat lamp, rocks and crushed walnut shells substrate (I think that's it- it's a reptile brand of crushed nut shells)
I have bought waxworms for him this week that I am literally opening his mouth and putting them in until he chews them. (This has gone on for 3 days now). I just put him in bath of unflavored pedialyte as well. I was hoping to see improvement by now.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am sorry he isn't feeling very well!
Can you review your tank setup for us such as the type & brand of UVB light & the age of it?
How often do you give calcium?
What are the temperatures in the tank & what type of thermometer do you use to measure the temperatures with?
Do you have any pictures of him we could also see? That would be helpful.

He could certainly live longer though, the average age is 8-12 years, so let's see what we can do to get him feeling better!

Tracie

 

[peteybird22]

I am not very experienced, but the crushed nut shells are a big red flag to me. It can cause internal bleeding which can then lead to lethargy, a vet check is probably in order. I would remove the substrate immediately. I wish I had other advice

 

[Hdcarney]

Hello,
Thanks for the responses thus far.

As requested:
His uv light is a UVA/UVB combo by zilla about 1 year old.
Calcium is given on each meal (powder form) but his eating has been slowly decreasing. I figured it was due to the winter months as that is typical for him. It usually resumes and never goes this way.
I've been giving him warm baths daily now.
I don't know the specific temp of the tank but the thermometer (centrally located btwn cool side and basking) says 75.
His heat rock is on med/high.
I lowered his heat lamp to be closer to his basking rocks.
How do I post a pic here? I tried but can't seem to figure it out.
[]

 

[peteybird22]

I have heard really bad things about heat rocks. The beardies can't sense the heat on their skin like that so it is possible to burn themselves without even realizing. Is there a way to put the thermometer close to the basking side to detect the basking temp?

The bulbs should be changed about every six months since they degrade over time. Is the bulb compact or a tube?

 

[diamc]

This will help you in posting pictures: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=167225

We need more info about your "UVA/UVB combo" light. If you have one bulb that gives off both UVA and UVB, it would be a mercury vapor bulb but I don't believe Zilla has those. Or, did you mean that you have a white basking bulb and a coil/compact bulb in a combo holder/fixture?

Good that you're bathing him daily now. Does he seem to perk up while he's in his bath? Does he have a darkened beard and/or tail? Does he look like he has lost weight? Has he pooped lately and was his last one normal?

It sounds like you might be using a round gauge (dial) or digital strip thermometer, unfortunately, those are very inaccurate. Purchasing an infrared temp gun or a digital with a long wire & probe end would be the only 2 ways to get good readings. Could you fill us in on the size of the tank & the wattage of the heat bulb(s) though?

As peteybird22 mentioned, the heat rocks are very bad as they can get burned by the time they realize the heat rock is TOO hot and they can also malfunction. A setting of medium to high is very dangerous.

Hopefully some of the info posted in this thread will help to make him feel better.

 

[Hdcarney]

Updates:
-I have replaced the uv combo bulb with a new one- a mercury vapor combo bulb (zoo med). 160watt 55gal tank
-removed the walnut shell substrate.
-still bathing him daily / he does perk up a little
-he is pooping after each bath.
-I am force feeding 2-3 times daily until today for a few days waxworms, then switched to bearded dragon bites w vitamins, protein, etc, now today switched to sills jump start calorie supplement.
-pedialyte after feedings (does seem to help for a few minutes)

-He does still get darkened beard and tail.
-Definitely lost weight

Bought a new thermometer - digital prob (zoo med) type.
90.deg in basking area. Overall tank temp 74.

His front arms seem like they can hold his weight for very long at least like he used to.

Well- I have changed a lot and am hoping to see some turn around soon!
Any thoughts?

Thanks again (Spike's mom)

 

[Hdcarney]

Thank you for your advice everyone. Unfortunately, sadly, Spike passed away at sunset today.
He had a happy life with is for the last 6 years. We were glad to have him in our home for a the last half of his life. He was loved.

I was glad to have found this site. It's been very helpful.

 

[diamc]

Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't see your response last night about the changes you had made & what you had purchased. If I had, I would have responded sooner with more suggestions.

So very sorry to hear that Spike passed away. I'm sure he knew he was loved & loved you all right back.

If we can help you in any other way, please let us know.

 

[Esther19]

I am so sorry for your loss. Spike did have a good long time with you. I do believe he will be waiting to see you again.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear Spike passed away.
He was dearly loved & I am quite sure that he felt loved also. It sounds like he was a very special part of your family.

Tracie

 

[Hdcarney]

Thank you for your kind words everyone. He was indeed a special part of our family. He will be missed.
We've had him since my now 7 year old son was one. Seems like they grew up together. My youngest son was already asking to get a baby one "since we have a bearded dragon cage and no dragon" It occurred to me that he doesn't know life without a lizard.

Thank you again. It's very sweet.

 

[chromesaurus]

I'm so sorry.