PLEASE HELP

[Ilovemybeardiebaby]

It's not sand it's accually Zola brand desert blend substrate ground english walnut shells the bag says creates natural and attractive desert environment
Excellent heat conductor
Stimulates natural digging and burrowing behavior
The reptile lady at the pet store recommended it

 

[diamc]

So, the vet DID check her poop for parasites then?

I may have missed it, but what type of thermometer are you using and what are the tank temps? Please make sure she doesn't sleep on the rock directly under the red light bulb all night. Red lighting does disturb their sleep and what she really needs is LOTS of rest. I feel it would be better to wrap her up in a small blanket or towel and lay her flat so that her back is away from the red glow of the light and also isn't directly under it in case she gets too hot.

I have to agree with ziggydoodles that she shouldn't have sand in her tank as it's impossible to clean up all the waste from her poops which does indeed breed bacteria. you certainly don't want her to ingest any either. Please remove the sand and replace with paper towels for now.

*****EDIT: I just read that it's english walnut shells, that's actually even worse because it is very sharp and if ingested, it can cut their insides when they try to pass it. PLEASE remove it right away. NOT GOOD!!!! And, it also breeds bacteria!

Have to say that most employees at the pet stores will say anything to try to make a sale!

 

[Lurhstaap]

You should also get rid of the red night light and replace it with a ceramic heat emitter. Regardless of what the package of the red bulbs says, bearded dragons can see color, and therefore those red lights are just as bright and obvious to them as they are to humans. It will be keeping your dragon awake at night, which is another reason it has no energy. It isn't sleeping well. The cage should be 100% pitch black at night so there's n o chance that the baby is being kept awake.

 

[Ilovemybeardiebaby]

As of now it's 900pm so I can't replace the bulb.im taking it I should stop purchasing thing the store reptiles specialist is telling me to get then because she is the be who told em to get the red light and the walnut shells

 

[diamc]

Please fill us in on if the vet checked a fecal for parasites, what you're using to ck the temps, what the temps are. We really are trying to help and most of us have a LOT more experience with beardies than an employee at a petstore, please listen to us so we can help you help HER.

 

[diamc]

We don't want her to get cold tonight so if you can wrap her in a small blanket or towel and lay her flat so that her back is to the bulb so as not to disturb her, that would be best for tonight. She would be MUCH more comfortable. Can you do that?

 

[Ilovemybeardiebaby]

HOT SPOT 110 Cool side 76 degrees ferenhight..Im useing an infa red termomitor bought from petsmart,she has a small square blue fleece blanket that she gets wrapped in and tucked into every ight she absolutely loves it

 

[Lurhstaap]

Sorry, I didn't mean you had to replace the bulb right this instant, although you should definitely follow the other poster's advice about wrapping her in a towel or a T-shirt. I would recommend using one of your own shirts that's soft and not actually dirty but which you've worn for a little while and which therefore smells like you. If you bundle her up snugly in that, facing away from the light, she should be able to rest comfortably enough. As soon as possible, though, get a ceramic heat emitter. The good news is that you shouldn't have to buy a new fixture for the CME... most of them work in ordinary fixtures. Be careful it isn't touching anything while it's on though! They get EXTREMELY hot and can melt or set things on fire if they come into contact with them for a prolonged period.

However you should remove the walnut shells ASAP, like right now. They can kill her if she ingests them by accident. x.x The bulb can wait until tomorrow or the next day, but the shells need to go pronto. Newspaper or paper towel would work just fine instead.

And yeah honestly it sounds like the "reptile expert" has no idea what they're talking about. x.x I have no idea, the red bulbs and walnut shells might be the best option for some other reptile, but they're TERRIBLE for beardies. Pet store employees often mean well but are not properly trained or educated.

EDIT: Nevermind, sorry, I missed your post about her having her own blanket until just now. That's great that she loves it! Make sure to tuck her in it and place her such that she can't see the red light at night until you can replace it with something that provides heat but no light.

 

[Ilovemybeardiebaby]

In regards TI the walnut shell I read an arrival with the autopsy of the beardie who passed from the shells,it says to house babies or juveniles on paper towels..I will be changing out her substrate tonight

 

[diamc]

By infra red thermometer, did you mean infrared temperature gun? If so, make sure you ONLY hold it 2" away from the area you're checking. Since she isn't a baby and is actually already dehydrated, I would lower the temp to 102 to 105 as the 110 temp is only for little babies.

Great to hear that you will be removing the walnut shells.

Nice that you wrap her in a blue blanket every night. Please make sure her back is to the red light bulb so she can get some restful sleep and please don't place her directly under that bulb. Then please get a ceramic heat emitter as soon as you can.

We all really want her to get better and we know you do too. :wink:

 

[Ilovemybeardiebaby]

Yes its the gun type and I always point 2away im very cautiouse I've grown so attached to my beardie side note I bought a rather large bad of the walnut shells would they bother maybe a ball python I don't want theseus to be just a waste of money

 

[Lurhstaap]

I have no idea if they're safe for ball pythons, but I bet you could use them in a garden as a groundcover or dug into soil to aerate it in a similar way as sand.

 

[jwideman]

She is extremely emaciated and just plain tired. Very ill beardies act listless, with no energy, and would act the same way no matter what time of year because of the bad shape she's in. The fact that she vomited a few days ago shows she is very ill. She is in no shape to brumate. If you want another opinion, please p.m. any of the mods., you might feel more comfortable with their opinions, but this little dragon is in no shape to brumate. It's not your fault that she's ill.....I hope she can gain some strength .

I guess I'm still confused about what brumating looks like. So they can only do it if they're healthy?

 

[Ilovemybeardiebaby]

I know it's not my fault she Ill but I can't help but feel like there's more I could be doing,

 

[PADsMommy]

You are doin the best you can. You have taken the most care of her that she has had. It will take awhile before she is better....but it sounds like you are doing a fantastic job!