Please Help Me, My Baby Beardie is Sick!

[shayl]

So I've had Bahamut for about a month, and I'd guess he was only a few weeks old when I got him. He's never been the most active guy but he always wanted to eat, and he didn't have the problems I'm about to describe until about 4 days ago.

1. Very lethargic, won't hold up his head
2. Not interested in his salad or his crickets
3. Dragging around his back right leg like it doesn't work

Now, I've had him to the vet, and he HAS been pooping, especially when I give him baths (which I've been doing daily since this problem started). His fecal sample came back negative for parasites, and he was given a shot of B at the vet to help with possible deficiency. The vet also recommended a new lighting setup, which two days ago I set up, which includes a 10.0 UVB/UVA mercury vapor flourescent tube. He also has an under-tank heater and a basking lamp, and his basking area reaches 110 degrees F. I also have been dusting his crickets daily with calcium and D3, though I was using a bad multi-vitamin that was basically just more calcium, so I have switched since seeing the vet to one that has B and Beta Carotene (though he hasn't gotten much of it since he won't eat).

The last time he ate a good amount was right before the vet, where he had about 10 crickets. He also had a HUGE meal right before this all happened, which led me to believe he had some impaction, but if that is the case, I'm not sure why he is pooping almost every day.

His subtrate is astroturf so there is no sand or anything for him to ingest. Please help if you can, I don't want to lose my little guy!

 

[Tigg]

What is the exact brand of UVB bulb you are use?

 

[shayl]

It is Repti Glo 15W 10.0 by Exo Terra

 

[Tigg]

(Here we go again)

Shayl, Did your vet specifically reccomend the ReptiGlo 10.0 to you? And if this UVB was an upgrade what UVB light did you have before this bulb??

 

[shayl]

I tried very hard to find a different brand. I live on an island and it seems that the only brand they carry is this one. I CAN keep trying (or perhaps find one on the internet?) if there is a better choice. The worse alternative here was using a coiled flourescent lamp, which the vet said wasn't doing squat.

 

[munchkins9802]

reptiglo 10.0 is not very good if it must be repti glo 8.0 I believe is a tiny bit better.
The best one for a 20-30 gallon tank is a repti sun 10.0. Petmountain.com has the best price. You would need to get a fixture too.

 

[Tigg]

I see your heart is in the right place, and your vet is right about the coiled and compact bulbs... Only problem is that the ReptiGlo 10.0 is even worse, as not only does it not emit sufficient UVB, it is also linked to lethargy, and long term eye problems.

You should try http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-bulb.html This is the best UVB source available for Most, and you should see drastic improvements immediately.

For now, Turn the ReptiGlo off entirely! If it is warm enough you can take your beardie outside for a little while and let him soak up some rays from the sun. Not too long though, the sun is hot and they need to build up a tolerance to it.

What are you getting your temp readings with?
And what size is your enclosure?

As far as the hind leg paralysis, Since he is stooling regularly, it sounds like it could be early stages of MBD. You are going to want to make sure you get that Reprising 10.0 on order asap! and you might want to try
giving some liquid calcium available here: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Meds.html#CalciumGluconate

This will give your beardie a much needed calcium boost since without proper UVB all this time his body has not been able to synthesize his own. If the MBD is not too far along there is a chance of being able to reverse it, or at least some of it's effects but you must act quickly.

 

[shayl]

Here's hoping they ship to Canada

 

[shayl]

Ok I ordered the repti-sun bulb as recommended. I'm also going to get him outside alot until it gets here. Unfortunately it's a bit cloudy and cool today, though. Will he get any UV from that even if it's overcast?

 

[Tigg]

Good to hear, and yes lots of UVB can still be obtained through hazzy skies.

 

[shayl]

Well unfortunately it looks like pet island won't ship to Canada, as my order was cancelled by them. Does anyone here have any recommendations for pet supply stores online that WILL ship here?

 

[Tigg]

Use http://www.bigalsonline.ca/ they are located in Ontario, and should ship to you...

 

[bayoupig5]

Shayl,

I am from BC, and I use Pets and Ponds(Ontario) to deliver my Reptisun 10.0's, just another location to get your stuff. The lights are cheaper by about 10 bucks too. They also have many other reptile supplies for a lot cheaper than the chain stores.

http://www.petsandponds.com

 

[Seacow]

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear your baby is ill. Just another thought on the cause... I read this recently

This type of disorder has long been considered to be a symptom of calcium deficiency. However, recently this has been rethought as it has been noticed after feeding large insects to small dragons. They would appear healthy one day, and the following day display hind leg extension, and in most cases die. While this is anecdotal evidence, it is believed that bulky prey affects the nervous system of bearded dragons in some way, and for this reason you should not feed large insects to juvenile bearded dragons.

I have no idea how true this is as I'm by no means an expert.
Hope your little one improves soon.

P.S the above quote was found here
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/5086/health.html