Parasites

[Batfreddy]

My beardie has been acting odd for 2 weeks now. I've tried to take her to the vet, but my dad won't allow it. She wakes up and starts to flare her beard, she doesn't sleep well, she has her right eye closed most of the time, and she'll bask with her mouth open. I know these are signs of a RI but her poop smells really REALLY bad and so does she. I was wondering if parasites can cause RI symptoms

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Sorry your beardie is having issues. Can you give a rundown of the set up? Lights used? Temps and how you take them? Subtrate? Size of the enclosure?

 

[Batfreddy]

I use a 100 watt basking bulb, UVB 17 watt, 103 in basking spot, 90 on warm side, 80 on cool side. About 70 at night, I use a digital theometer. I use news paper for sub straight and she's in a 40 gallon tank

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It sounds like you are using a tube UVB correct? Do you know the brand of it & how close is it mounted to her? What type of basking light are you using?
The temperatures sound good, with measuring with a digital probe. Where do you have the probe placed?
If her stool is that smelly it is likely worms or parasites. What type of foods do you feed her?
For now, if you can, try to use a ceramic heat emitter or a heating pad on LOW with a towel in between her & the pad to help with nighttime temperatures. If she does have a respiratory infection, bumping the overnight temperatures up to around 80 may help.
Do you know what the humidity is in the tank?

Tracie

 

[Batfreddy]

I use a tube UVB by All Living Things and the basking bulb is the same brand. I use a heat pad during the day and a ceramic heat at night. The humidity is 40-50% some days higher. I can't figure out how to lower humidity, the weather has been humid in my area and its made the humidity in her tank going up to 50-60%. I don't keep water in her tank anymore, I take her out of her tank to spray her down and water her, but it hasnt helped. I feed her crickets from Petsmart with romaine lettuce, papay, banana, broccoli, cauliflower, and yams and occasionally pellet food (depends on how busy I am)

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I know it's hard getting the humidity down with with humid weather. You can always try a dehumidifier or a ceramic heat emitter at night to help bring down some of the humidity.
The All Living Things UVB wont be the best choice for a UVB light. It really doesn't emit much of anything needed for UVB exposure. I highly recommend getting either a Reptisun 10 tube bulb or the Arcadia D3 12% tube either one. They emit higher amounts of UVB which is much better quality, too.
Getting better quality of lighting will help increase her overall health & boost her immune system, too. Would you be able to try & get one of those mentioned lights?
How is she doing today?
Try feeding darker greens such as mustard or collard greens, dandelion greens or arugula. Romaine is "ok" but it is a bit watery so if you do feed it, mix it with other greens for a better nutritional balance.
I would steer away from regular feedings of broccoli & cauliflower since they are higher in oxalates which contributes to calcium binding.
Here is a food chart to help with feeding ideas:

http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[CooperDragon]

I echo Tracie's comments about the salads and nutrition. The beautifuldragons site is a great reference for putting salads together. I agree that the probe should be placed on the basking surface and on the surface of the cool side of the tank to get the most accurate readings. I wouldn't worry too much about those humidity levels. Those are pretty reasonable and shouldn't cause harm on their own. How high over the basking spot is your UVB tube? I tested the All Living Things T8 tube and found that it is identical to the Zilla Desert 50 but in a different box. The output is good from what I've seen in my limited testing but the optimal distance is about 6-8'' above the basking area. The smelly poops really make me think parasites are at play in which case a trip to the vet is warranted in order to get a fecal test and begin treatment. Parasitic infection is very much treatable and fixing that issue should make a world of difference.