Please help me! I don't know what's wrong.

[xlunaticx]

My bearded dragon is acting really weird and I'm really worried. He lost apetite and he always has a black beard.

https://youtu.be/LIt3d62FXEU - here is the video of how he's behaving
If anyone knows whats causing him to behave like that. Is it just the heat or?

 

[AHBD]

How long have you had him ? Was he eating + drinking well before this ? Have you made any changes to his cage, and can you show a pic of his entire set up ? There's something pretty serious going on. Is there any chance that he ate something toxic, either in or out of his tank ? Does he free roam around your house at all ? His coughing/gagging noises mean he's developed some kind of illness, whether it be from poisoning or something else and he also looks dehydrated, ....try offering water with a syringe/ eyedropper to see if he'll drink. If he continues like this try to get him in to see an experienced reptile vet ASAP.

 

[diamc]

Oh dear, this is scary. Please answer AHBD's questions. This is extremely serious and I would recommend a reptile vet ASAP. He actually may be on his way out otherwise.

 

[AHBD]

Has there been any change ? Have you been able to get him to a vet ....something caused him to become extremely ill /stressed. I'm hoping he's still with you. !

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your dragon tonight? He is very seriously ill based on the pictures.
It could be a number of things, from respiratory distress, liver or kidney issues, toxicity of some type, etc.
If you could be more specific & run over your tank setup with us, that can help pinpoint anything which could potentially be affecting him. How long has he been acting this way?
I would recommend trying to find a vet to take him into if he does not improve real quickly here. The pitch black beard & sunken in eyes are not a good sign.

Tracie

 

[xlunaticx]

Well yesterday I opened the windows to let the fresh air in he instantly felt better. I even removed one light from the tank to lower the temperature and he's feeling better now. I've had him for like 5 months,someone gave it to me and they said that he did that too. So if it will go on I will take him to the vet?

 

[xlunaticx]

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[AHBD]

Wow, good thing you figured out that he was way overheated ! Be sure to give him a lukewarm soak in about 2-3" of water so he can have a drink, he looks very dehydrated. The only worrisome thing is that your friend said he did that as well....there may be other issues going on. At any rate, I'n glad he's feeling better.

 

[xlunaticx]

Yeah I'm really relieved and I gave him a bath yesterday and he drank some water. The previous owner really had a high temperature so thats why he probably did that. He's feeling okay the whole day now so I think he's going to be just fine. Thanks everyone

 

[diamc]

That's good that he had a bath & drank some water.

To make sure his temps are accurate, could you fill us in on the type of thermometer you're using, digital strip, round gauge (dial), temperature gun or digital with a long wire & probe end? What is the basking surface temp and also on the cool side?

Could you also fill us in on the brand & type of UVB you're using and what the distance is to him when he's in his basking spot?

It's very concerning that he has acted this way before and doing it now since you have had him for 5 months. Besides being dehydrated, he looks very thin. What feeders and other foods are you feeding him? Has he been eating?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am glad to hear he is doing better. He does appear thin but he must have gotten very overheated. As suggested, please run over your tank set up just so we can help out if anything is incorrect.

Tracie

 

[xlunaticx]

I took him to the vet and we tried to help him but I guess it didn't help. He passed away today.. Thanks everyone for trying to help

 

[AHBD]

I'm really sorry to hear this. He was really sick and it took a toll on him. If you get another dragon in the future, you can use this site to get all the info for a proper set up and care and to ask any questions if there's a health problem.