Phoenix isn't eating!

[Phoenix23486]

Okay, He hasn't been eating for about 1 1/2 weeks. I have to force feed him. When I fed him last night he would just look at the food and turn like he was about to eat it, then he turns and walks away. My mom tried feeding him this morning, and he still wouldn't eat anything. I thought it was because of his lights needing to be changed, but now I'm worried it might be something totally different! I know by a fact it can't be brumation, because he's already been in it this year, and plus it's spring! Mostly all he does is lay around under his log/ cave thing, lay in the sand, and basks! Please help! I'm so worried about him!

 

[Phoenix23486]

**update** he's still not eating..

 

[Cherie]

When was the last time he had a poo? You mentioned he is on sand. It is possible he may be impacted. What are his temps and what kind of lights are you using?

 

[Phoenix23486]

He had one just a few days ago on my carpet. I'm using Zoo Med 100W Basking Bulb, and an Exo Terra Repti glo 10.0 florescent UV bulb. Basking spot is exactly 93F his cool side is 81F. I've tried to convince my mom to get rid of the sand but she says "He's lived with sand for over 3 years and hasn't had a problem! He might be affected by the change as well!" Ugh, I've been trying to convince her for a day!

 

[MsWanda10166]

Sand harbors bacteria, plus impaction risks. Take the sand out, and put in paper towels. Maybe she thinks its a cost thing. You can go to Lowes, or Home Depot and get tiles, for less than $10, and probably closer to $5 depending on the size of the viv. Tiles also make for super easy clean up, and less smell. The basking temp needs to be higher. I have herd mixed information about adult temps, but I figure that I offer 100 degrees, and they can move farther away if they do not want so hot.
You also need a reptiSUN 10.0 florescent tube, and it needs to be replaced every 6 months. You can get them half the price of a pet store by ordering on-line. If you do not get him these things, he will get worse. Do you have pics?

 

[Phoenix23486]

My mom just spent $80 on buying new lights as everything for him. Also I know it's 100-102 usually I just measured if where he likes to sit and I don't know what her issue is, I told her we shouldn't use sand. Gosh she's hard headed! No right now, it's night where I am. Oh and he went to go eat his veggies, licked his bowl and then just sat there a few minutes I guess deciding his next move? He kept looking around and he just turned away from his veggies and crawled on his wooden cave thing. -___- I'm sitting here like "OMG SO CLOSE!!!" It's weird it's like he wants food but then doesn't eat it. Can reptiles be anorexic?

 

[Gymgirlx]

My mom just spent $80 on buying new lights as everything for him. Also I know it's 100-102 usually I just measured if where he likes to sit and I don't know what her issue is, I told her we shouldn't use sand. Gosh she's hard headed! No right now, it's night where I am. Oh and he went to go eat his veggies, licked his bowl and then just sat there a few minutes I guess deciding his next move? He kept looking around and he just turned away from his veggies and crawled on his wooden cave thing. -___- I'm sitting here like "OMG SO CLOSE!!!" It's weird it's like he wants food but then doesn't eat it. Can reptiles be anorexic?

The UVB you are using does not give off the correct amount of UVB for a beardie. A reptile will NOT thrive without a correct set-up.As mentioned by another poster, the Reptisun 10.0 tube ( NOT bulb) is the best way to go. Change the sand out ASAP. You can use paper towels or newspaper ( cheaper too). GOOD LUCK!

 

[Phoenix23486]

Thanks bunches! He has a vet appointment tomorrow, we're gonna try to get a fecal done.

 

[Blinksmama]

You should take the UVB light back and get a refund. Reptiglo doesn't emit enough, or the correct wavelength of, UVB for bearded dragons. The poor quality of light they give off can also cause eye damage. If basking temperatures aren't at least 95f your beardie can't digest his food. Also, if the heat light isn't a bright white light, it will contribute to his lack of appetite.

What type of thermometer are you using to take the basking temperature?

 

[Phoenix23486]

I probably will take the light back this weekend. And it's a white light I'm using the Zilla thermometer/Hygrometer with 2 probes.

 

[Phoenix23486]

Could Phoenix have an abscess??

 

[Blinksmama]

Do you mean in his mouth? It's possible, you should be able to look in his mouth, I think it would be noticeable. Check his teeth and gums for swelling, redness any sings of infection or irritation.
I'm posting this modified list of questions for you to answer, it will help members get a better idea of his daily life, so that you can get the best advice possible. At the very least you will be armed with enough ideas and info, that it should make your vet's job easier I've answered some of the questions you've already been asked

How old is your dragon?
How long is your dragon (snout to end of tail)?
What is the sex of your dragon? male
What size enclosure do you have your dragon in?
What type of substrate do you use? Sand
If your UVB light a fluorescent, is it coil, compact or linear tube?
What is the brand of your UVB bulb? Exo Terra Repti glo 10.0 florescent UV bulb
How old is your UVB bulb?
If your bulbs are newer, what bulbs were you using before? how old were they?
How close can your dragon get to the UVB and is there anything between the bulb and your dragon (screen, plastic etc.)?
Do you use a separate basking bulb? What kind and what is the wattage? Is it a white or colored bulb? Zoo Med 100W Basking Bulb white
Do you use night time heat source?
How long are lights on each day?
What are the basking temps?
What is the cool side temp?
What is the night time temp?
What type of thermometer(s) do you use? I'm using the Zilla thermometer/Hygrometer with 2 probes.
Where are taking the basking temperature?
What do you feed your dragon? Please be specific.
How often do you feed and what time do you feed (morning, afternoon, night)?
Do you gutload (feed) your crickets, worms, etc? What do you feed them?
Do you use vitamin and/or calcium supplements? Which brand(s)? What is your dusting schedule?
Is your dragon having regular bowel movements (poops)?
Do you bathe your dragon? How often?
Have you gotten a vet check and fecal done?

As far as washed play sand goes, he's old enough to be on it, although it is not the most ideal choice. If he is impacted then it will compound the problem if he ingests any. If he's not impacted, and he doesn't ever eat the sand, you could always use it in one part of his enclosure, where he likes to burrow or whatever, and use tile in the rest.
It's very important to rule out causes in his environment. If he's bathed and is well hydrated, his lights and temperatures are correct and he's still not acting normal, the next thing would be to test for parasites.
Oh I just thought about this. Have there been any changes in your home recently, that may be causing him stress? Moved his terrarium, new or more people around than usual,a new pet, that sort of thing?

I hope we're able to help get your beardies (what's his name?) problem sorted out.

EDIT: Apparently I'm blind, his name is in the threads title :lol:
Amy

 

[Phoenix23486]

How old is your dragon? 3
How long is your dragon (snout to end of tail)? He is 17-18 inches
What is the sex of your dragon? male
What size enclosure do you have your dragon in? 55 Gallon
What type of substrate do you use? Sand
If your UVB light a fluorescent, is it coil, compact or linear tube? Its a flourescent tube
What is the brand of your UVB bulb? Exo Terra Repti glo 10.0 florescent UV bulb
How old is your UVB bulb? Just bought it on the 3/30/13
If your bulbs are newer, what bulbs were you using before? how old were they? I was using a Flukers basking bulb, it was about a year old, and my UVB bulb was like REALLY old.
How close can your dragon get to the UVB and is there anything between the bulb and your dragon (screen, plastic etc.)? A wire screen, and fairly close!
Do you use a separate basking bulb? What kind and what is the wattage? Is it a white or colored bulb? Zoo Med 100W Basking Bulb white
Do you use night time heat source? Not anymore, I stopped because people on here told me it messes with their sleep.
How long are lights on each day? They turn on usually when I wake up, and they turn off when it turns dark.
What are the basking temps? Right now it's at 95F
What is the cool side temp? 80F
What is the night time temp? Usually between 63-65F
What type of thermometer(s) do you use? I'm using the Zilla thermometer/Hygrometer with 2 probes.
Where are taking the basking temperature? Where he basks, it's about 8-10 inches from the lamp.
What do you feed your dragon? Please be specific. Flukers freeze dried crickets, Mustard greens, Green beans, and Peas.
How often do you feed and what time do you feed (morning, afternoon, night)? My mom feeds him in the morning/early afternoon for me while I'm at school and I usually feed him at night.
Do you gutload (feed) your crickets, worms, etc? What do you feed them? No but his crickets are gotloaded with calcium already.
Do you use vitamin and/or calcium supplements? Which brand(s)? What is your dusting schedule? I used to not to because they already had calcium in them, but I do now. I dust them Monday-Friday, and I don't dust them on weekends.
Is your dragon having regular bowel movements (poops)? Yes, but his poo's are watery... Is that diarrhea?
Do you bathe your dragon? How often? Yes, 2-3 times a week.
Have you gotten a vet check and fecal done? Not yet, I am getting one done today when we take him to the vet.
Oh I just thought about this. Have there been any changes in your home recently, that may be causing him stress? Moved his terrarium, new or more people around than usual,a new pet, that sort of thing? We haven't moved his cage, but my dad sleeps in my room and snores like a freight train...

 

[Blinksmama]

Alright, I'll go through these and if I miss anything hopefully someone will add to it


UVB: Must be changed, as previously mentioned, to a ReptiSun 10 linear tube. There cannot be anything between a fluorescent UVB and the dragon, plastic and glass block out 100% of the UVB rays, and a screen will block up to 50%. If the tube is a T8 it needs to be 6-8 inches away from the dragons basking spot (I think T5's should be a bit farther away 10-12inches) in order for him to benefit from it.

Basking 95f is the minimum basking temperature for a beardie to digest his food. I don't think adults need it any higher than 105f, and he'd avoid basking if he was too hot.
If the temp is taken directly on his basking spot then it's fine (though he may prefer it a bit warmer) if not you'll need to move the probe.

Overnight temps: should be 70-75f, they can go as low as 65f. Anything below 65f and you need to provide a heat source. The lights that are marketed for reptiles overnight heat are not good for beardies. They are one reptile that is able to see the coloured bulbs, and it disturbs their sleep. CHE's, ceramic heat emitters, are a great way to add heat without any light. If a CHE isn't affordable now and you have a coloured bulb, you can make sure Phoenix's head is covered so that it doesn't disturb him ("the 3rd eye" on the top of his head senses light and shadows). Just make sure he can breathe.
Heat mats are also a no-no for beardies. They don't sense heat well from below, and if the mat gets too hot they can be burned.

Food: I don't think it's healthy for a beardie to eat freeze dried crickets as their staple protien. Since he's an adult and only needs to eat 50ish appropriately sized feeders a week, it would be better for him if they were live.
Peas should be fed rarely, and beans occasionally. This is an excellent resource for feeding bearded dragons http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

Supplements: For an adult dragon he should be having phospherous free calcium w/D3 dusted 4-5X a week. He should also be given a multivitamin and mineral supplement 2-3X a week

It's very likely that he has a calcium deficiency, due to insufficient UVB exposure. He could also be suffering from other vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I think it would be a good idea to have the vet run some blood work, so you know if he does have deficiencies.
Peas or beans can cause diarhea, I'm not sure which one, maybe both?

I doubt your dad snoring would bother him at all, beardies sleep like the dead

 

[Phoenix23486]

I don't know how i can fix the screen thing... I've been thinking of ways I could put the UVB in the tank, but I don't know if they'll work... Any suggestions? And I'm taking the bulb back this weekend and buying the ReptiSun one. The only reason why I feed him freeze dried crickets is because my mom hates the smell of live one's. If he needs live one's I'll try to convince my mom. She's a hater... Anyways, any suggestions at all? Please help... I'm clueless right now. :study: :?