PLEASE HELP IS THIS TAIL ROT (SICK BEARDIE)

[Ahechme]

Great so I'm going to have to start pounding crickets that's kind of really disgusting LOL so you guys really think there's hope for him is there even anyone on here who's had their dragon act this way or am I just the lucky one

 

[EllenD]

You are not the only one at all with these issues, this is extremely common, especially after the dragon has been given medications, they're hard on their tummies. He'll need at least a 40 gallon breeder tank soon, around 5-6 months, but that isn't the problem...honestly, I know you said he "doesn't like heat", but why do you say that, or what makes you think that? And I forget, what type of thermometer are you using? My honest guess is the same as AHBD already mentioned, I think the temps are not hot enough. Most babies and juveniles are not comfortable on their main basking spot until the temp is between 105-110 degrees (110 is the max temp it should ever be anywhere inside his tank), and even adults need their basking spot between 100-105. The Hot Side Ambient (air) Temp should be between 88-93 degrees, and the Cold Side Ambient (air) Temp should be between 75-80 degrees...

If you're using any type of stick-on thermometer and not a digital thermometer with a probe or a Temperature Gun, then that could very well be the problem, as they can be off by up to 20 degrees, and you cannot measure their Basking Spot Surface Temperature with one, only Ambient (air) temperatures....

If he is on his Basking Spot and the temperature is between 105-110 degrees, and you see him opening his mouth a lot or darkening himself, these do not mean he doesn't like it or that it's too hot, these are common misconceptions of new owners and sometimes they think their dragons are too hot and they drop the Basking Spot Surface temperature because of it. They open their mouths as a way to regulate their body heat, it's not because they are too hot, it's perfectly normal and they should be doing it often while basking. And if they turn very dark while on the Basking Spot and then turn light and bright when you take them out of the enclosure, this is because while they are Basking under their lights they are darkening themselves so that they actually absorb more heat and UVB light, just like a black tee shirt absorb heat in the sun. So when you remove them from their tanks they immediately brighten up because they are no longer under any lights and don't need to attract anymore light/heat...I just wanted to make sure that wasn't what you were thinking, we hear that all the time.

 

[Ahechme]

Okay so I just want to validate that his black beard is gone it's not 100% gone it comes back every so often from here to there but for the most part it's gone I'm pretty sure he needed that extra UVB thank you to everybody that help me out with that he has a 40 gallon tank now and the UVB is strapped under the mesh like everyone told me to I have a 75 watt bulb and a 50 watt bulb both on for heat it is about 95-100 degrees in there now most definitely 75 on the cooler side for sure I'm going to get myself some digital thermometers but as for the most part he still not eating not sure what he could be going through not sure if anyone has any ideas this is his new habitat I have attached pictures and I have posted this on both threads just cuz I want AHBD to look at it

 

[AHBD]

Yes, that's great. I think once he gets to feeling a little better + not so stressed that he'll start eating again.

Only thing I'd add to the tank is a medium sized basking log. I find mine outside and pop them in a preheated 250 degree oven for an hour . Something like this :
https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/30060/full

It's better for them to have something solid to lay on that supports their body .

 

[Ahechme]

Yes I actually see those all over the place at pet stores so you think I should get that instead of the hammock I just bought a second hammock you think I should return the second hammock and get one of those instead

 

[AHBD]

Definitely return it + get the log. Like I said though, if you want you can find one outside and " bake " it [ to kill any potential pest ]

You're doing a good job trying to take care of your boy.

 

[Ahechme]

I'm trying whatever I can. Lol. I decided not to even bother getting a Chinese water dragon. If anything I would get a leopard gecko in combo with my beardie. Two beardies is too much work for me lol. My good friend who has plenty reptiles and beardies is going to take over my second one. I don't have the funds to upgrade his tank too. It's $120 for that 40 gallon I bought today. For $100 I can get a brand new leopard gecko and put him in Rex's old 23 Gallon hahaha ?.. Plus all my attention is on Getting red back to health I can't even give my. Other beardie enough attention. Let alone my puppy he's getting so jealous all my attention is on Rex if I can. Just get. Him to eat!! My worries will. Be over!!! I just gave him some. oxpo carnivore care mixed with some blended veggies and probiotics in a syringe. That's all that I know is in his stomach. Maybe I should. Weigh him. But what I do have to mention is. Rex stopped growing about two weeks ago. The other beardies i have was way smaller in size way way smaller. And now he is longer then. Rex and even fatter then rex. And my. Other beardie just shed half his tail today. The last time rex shed was at the very same moment he stopped eating and acting sick. The last thing he was shedding also was his tail (which is why i thought tail rot) and I had to help him shed it (didn't know it was wrong at the time) but I didn't pull or tear because it was already cracking just having a hard time shedding off (I guess there wasn't enough UVB to continue the shed) and that explains why he has not grown. But now he has a 15 Watt Zilla long tube T8 Light fixture (no plastic). And also a swirly 13 watt dome UVB so together that's 28 Watts of UVB lol I guess? Do I need more. My digital. Thermometer by Zilla is reading 89 degrees but I have a 75 watt and a 50 watt Heat basking bulbs both on right now how's that possible. My stick on scale says 100°. So. Confusing.

 

[AHBD]

Is that a thermometer with a probe that you place wherever you need to take the temp. ? If so, I think you have to leave it on the spot for 20-30 minutes is what I've read here on the forums. I don't use those myself but many owners do. Did you take the hammock back + get a basking log ? Remember, you can get one outside + sterilize it in the oven. That's free cage furniture.

I know you're having a rough time with Rex, hopefully he'll pull through. Sad that you will give your healthy dragon away, too.

 

[Ahechme]

They don't get along what so ever. Before that 40 Gallon became Rexs new home I placed both dragons in there. And rex started bobbing his head waving his arm and puffing his beard. He is super territorial and he has never ever liked my other dragon since day 1. He used to chase him around until I ended up splitting them apart in different tanks. I had bought him as a companion for rex. (wasn't told at the pet store it wouldn't work out so well) and now I have two. In two separate tanks. Lol. Who eat separately. Live separately and like to be taken out separately too. I'm not sure which digital thermometer to use because this is the only one they had.
He hasn't used the bathroom in a week now. His beard is golden. He just hasn't ate. And he hasn't been the same at all. He hasn't been on meds now for a good amount of days. What else can I do for him.

 

[Ahechme]

Here he is today.

Do you think with time he will be back to normal. Or does he have no hope.

 

[Ahechme]

He just ate one meal worm. And won't eat anymore.

 

[AHBD]

I think his appetite will come back, just give it time. Oral hydration can help get his appetite back and if you get some fruit flavored soy yogurt it's good for their digestive system and some dragons really lick up a lot of it so you can put it on a cricket to get him to eat it possibly.

 

[Ahechme]

Okay so you really suggest soy yogurt. I am. Going to the vet again today to complain!! Please let me know exactly what I should complain about because I think he hurt my dragon more then help him. He lost his personality and its heart breaking. While my other dragon is doing jumping jax for meal worms. Smh. So sad

 

[Ahechme]

I am at the vet now and REX HAS POOPED!! They are testing the fecal sample now. Let's pray it's clean. They want to do an X-ray on him. But I don't think I really need it. Waste of $82 bucks on my opinion. They wanna check his organs and his intestines for poop. Well. He just pooped right infront of the doctor. It was like he did it on purpose haha. Anywho. Not sure if I need a X-ray. They just want money I'm sure. But he has eaten one meal worm and 2-3 crickets in the last 5 days. Beard is golden again. And everyone is telling me he looks great. I think he's gunna be okay. Just needs some alone time maybe.

 

[AHBD]

Yes, many times stress + excitement will make them poo, so the trip to the vet is stressful and that's why he poo'd. I wouldn't get an Xray, he hasn't poo'd much because he hasn't eaten much, plain + simple !

I wouldn't medicate him either, is this the same vet that wanted to amputate ? If so, why are you there ?