PLEASE HELP! ASAP!! BEARDIE IN CRITICAL CONDITION!!

[2andcounting]

We got home and our 4-5week old beardie wasnt acting normal. He was sitting next to his basking log. We picked him up, and he appeared delirious, he wouldnt lift his head and he would keep it slightly cocked at an angle. We read up as muchhh as we could and there were only a few options. We first attempted the impaction clearing... but he barely had enough energy to move his legs. He was laying in the water and we had to keep his head up. Randomly, he will have bursts of energy. Then.... i lifted him out of the water and he seizured all around my hand, bouncing and rolling around as if he was on fire!!! Then he stood straight, and outstretched his head, openened his mouth, and stuck his tongue out, as if he was gasping for air or what truthfully appeared as if he was stretching out for one last breath before he passed. But, he just layed back down just after and has had spurts of unresponsiveness and small what appear to be seizures. Now, he is what seems to be rolling onto his side and rolling over.

Facts:
He was bought about a week ok at Pet Smart
He has been eating meal worms, baby small crickets, few greens, and have only gotten calcium into him a couple days.
He is under a 75watt bulb, keeping his basking spot around 85-90.
He hasnt had UVB bulb yet. we just popped in a flourescent (coiled bulb) at 20w.
His sibling, who resides in the same cage for the time being, is doing absolutely fine in her environment and has been since we purchased the two together last week.
They live on paper towels.

Treatments so far.
We have given him a 30min warm bath, and now a 30min warm bath with Flukers Calcium mixed into the warm water. He did drink some plain water earlier, but not much.

This just started happening tonight!!! He was fine yesterday. If ANYONE can help us, PLEASE do!!! We have had him for a week, and we are already in love with him. We dont want him to die. Whatever it takes, we will do. Anyone?

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

There are some problems in your setup that you need to change immediately.

First and formost, turn off the coil uvb bulb. It does more harm than good. Start taking both of your dragons out for some natural sunlight for 15+ minutes a day to get them some proper UVB until you can get a good uvb bulb.

Secondly, 85-90 degrees at the basking surface is not suitable at all. These are desert creatures, they need HEAT! Not to mention that the body doesn't even perform basic metabolic functions at temps under 95 degrees. These are cold blooded creatures, they can't create their own heat, they need it from an outside source, their basking spot.

The seizures are indicative of improper lighting, and/or a calcium deficiency. Both relating to eachother. You need to get him on a proper diet and a proper dusting schedule immediately. Mealworms belong nowhere near a proper diet. And remember, there is no good in a body eating if a body can't process the food, get your basking temperatures in check.

He is sleeping right now correct?

-Brandon

 

[craniomom1]

Sorry to hear your little one is not feeling well..Not exactly sure what is going on,could be a few things going on.First I would raise your basking temp as to properly digest their food they need a basking temp of min of 95 degrees.And for babies it should really be closer to 105.Also you need to get rid of the coil light and replace it with ReptiSun 10.0 tube,Arcadia 12% of a Powersun MVB.Though with the MVB don't use it if you have a tank smaller than 40 gallon.Also babies need calcium 1 feed 5 times a week,multi vitamin 1 feed 2 times a week.Also please stop feeding mealworms as they can cause impaction plus they have no nutritional value.How often to you give your babies baths??Babies get dehydrated easily and should be bathed everyday and offer them water via a dropper.I would also try to get him in to see a vet ASAP..
I am sure more experienced owners of babies will chime in soon..

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am sorry you are having trouble with your new baby.
Are you using a digital probe or temp gun to measure the temperatures?
That type of seizure is likely from low calcium. This is pretty common in younger dragons who are growing rapidly as they use up a lot of calcium for laying down calcium stores.
The best feeders are small roaches, small crickets, or phoenix worms right now. As suggested, he will need
calcium once daily, 5 times per week.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[Fubar1337]

Thank you guys so much! I am 2andcounting's boyfriend. We went to PetSmart, and dropped off one of the two beardies, he had Tail Rot, and they are sending him to the vet for us (his name is Boomer), then we're getting him back. Cant wait till we get him back.

Thank you so much all, and yes Brandon he's been sleeping alot now. We ran to PetSmart, and i bought us a Reptisun 10 bulb, and we got a taller rock. The basking spot is now 103-106 degrees (we bought a digital thermometer). The other side of the cage is 82-85. The flourescent bulb is gone now . We are giving him a "Calcium Bath" once a day now, because he is not too happy about eating his calcium laced foods. We mix his water with calcium power (+d3) so when he drinks he gets some too... but we only do that for a few sips each day.

So far... You Guys Are AWESOME! He hasnt had a seizure at all today, he seems a little bit more active, but still sits around a lot and sleeps mostly. He holds his head up a lot more often now tho . We just need to get him eating some greens, cause he only wants easy foods.

I will keep this updated to let everyone know. He's only been with us a week, but he's part of our family now

 

[Oriheme]

Also you can order Phoenix worms at phoenixworms.com they are very high in calcium and will help your baby get calcium if they eat them.

and maybe I am mistaken but you shouldnt house bearded dragons together at all. They will fight and get injured or die.

 

[Fubar1337]

they are only a month old at most. We plan to have them isolated within the month. And thank you, i was trying to find a good place to buy those Phoenix Worms.

Would feeding them Pheonix Worms be an adequate substitution to feeding them calcium +d3 daily? We have a whole bottle of Flukers, but we just want the best for our beardies.