PLEASE HELP

[tkinard1]

Please help! My son and I are new to the world of beardies, we researched leopard geckos with every intention of purchasing one this weekend; however, when we went to the pet store, it was the bearded dragons who stole our hearts. We purchased one from a sales associate whom we thought seemed very knowledgeable, but now our new baby doesn't seem like he is doing well at all. We haven't handled him yet because we wanted him to get used to his home. We were instructed that one uvb/uva lamp would be plenty and would get it hot enough so that was what we bought on Sat. after researching online, we realized we really needed a heat lamp so we purchased on today. When we first got him we put in some crickets and meal worms for him and he ate right away, but he has not eaten at all today and has barely moved all day. The clerk told us that he only needed to be fed once a week and to put all the 12 crickets in there at one time - now I am trying to catch crickets and I am not being successful. I am so worried that he will not make it through the night. Also, is it ok to lay the lamps on the screen top? Will they burn? Please help...thank you!!!

 

[ehk10]

Don't listen to him! He needs a Reptisun 10 UVB bulb. It is one of the few bulbs that isn't known to cause health issues. He should eat as many crix as he can eat in 15 min. 2-3x DAILY. Never Ever feed mealworms. They can cause impaction. Their shells are hard. Crix are good. Roaches are better. Phoenix worms and silkworms are GREAT. You can only purchase them online though. Good luck with the beardie!

 

[ehk10]

Don't listen to him! He needs a Reptisun 10 UVB bulb. It is one of the few bulbs that isn't known to cause health issues. He should eat as many crix as he can eat in 15 min. 2-3x DAILY. Never Ever feed mealworms. They can cause impaction. Their shells are hard. Crix are good. Roaches are better. Phoenix worms and silkworms are GREAT. You can only purchase them online though. Good luck with the beardie!

 

[ehk10]

Sorry I posted twice. I got impatient and hit the button twice :roll:

 

[TazzysMamma]

How old is your beardie?

Because of the mealworms, Im very concerned about impaction. Mealworms should never be given to baby beardies, and it's also not at all recommend to give them to adults either. They have a hard chitin shell that is hard or impossible to digest and can and will cause impaction. Impaction is deadly, so please start bathing him TODAY in warm but not hot water for at least 20 minutes at a time until you get a VERY good poop from him.

Also, what sort of substrate is he on? If it's any kind of sand, walnut shell, or anything else that is "siftable" PLEASE remove it immediately, and put him on paper towel, or tile, or non adhesive shelf liner.

VERY good advise on the repti sun... PLEASE get him one asap. If he has a coil bulb, TURN it off.... they are VERY VERY dangerous to beardies. He would be better off with NO UVB for up to 2 weeks than to have a coil bulb.

Also, you will need to get a thermometer with a probe or a heat gun and get accurate temps of his cool side of the tank, and what the actual temperature is ON his basking spot. Cool side should be around 80 degrees, and the basking spot should be between 100-110 for a baby.

Please let us know how he's doing!

HUGS

Sandi

 

[tkinard1]

Thanks ehk10 and Sandi! I am learning so much from this website - and I really appreciate you responding to my posting - I am definitely going to get a new lighting set up. Our guy seems to be doing much better now and I was able to speak with a reptile veterinarian today who helped a lot. She also told me to purchase a different thermometer than the one the pet store sold me - so that is on my shopping list for the am! I can not believe how much I am in love with this little guy!

Thanks again!
Traci
PS Love the name Eragon! My son has a Eragon poster in his room - can't wait for Eldest to come out!

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Unfortunatly pet stores will try to sell you a chunk of the moon. I take that back a little bit. I do know of a couple pet stores the acctually learn about the reptiles they sell, But thet are not of the big chains and we will leave it at that. Welcome to the forum and dont worry about feeling overwhelmed. There is a ton of great info right on this sight. So take your time do the research and ask questions, its a spot we have all been in at one point or another.