Possibly Dehydrated Bearded Dragon! Need HELP Fast!

[TheRealGamer03]

Another question, about leaving a light on at night. I leave a red light on at night, because it gets darker than pitch black in my room at night. I don't think he has a problem with it, but once or twice I have found him awake about an hour or two before I get up. This doesn't happen often and when it does I assume it is because of my cats, so I close my door. Are they able to see in the dark because when I try to turn the light off he just kind of stays in the same place as he was before I turned the light off so I feel bad and turn the red light on again. Most of the time I don't think the red light effects him because he sleeps in his rock occasionally. So can they see in the dark abd I should turn the light off or not?

PS: I got nervous about the sand so I took it all out today, and figured I would put sand in once he's big enough we have to upgrade the cage

 

[RobiAFarris]

I'm not sure how old this post is but yes, Spike is dehydrated. The same thing happened with my baby, Porunga, and I had to resort to force feeding him for several weeks (but he's a fat little happy fella now ). So the recipe I used to force feed him was pretty simple but requires patience but since this is about dehydration I'll just mention what I did for that.
Get some baby food, I use Naturals all organic sweet potato and chicken (make sure it has poultry in it), only a small amount is needed for this because it's mostly for flavor, add in some reptical or reptivite (I do both at times), add water and then stir until it is all thoroughly mixed up. It should be liquidy enough that you can use a syringe to suck it up in.
Place a towel down, it gets messy, and slowly drip the drink on the top of his snout. This should stimulate him to lick it from his nose but if he doesn't you may have to open his mouth. There are several good videos on youtube that I used as reference. If you have to do this don't squirt a lot in his mouth, just a few drops. You don't want him to accidentally inhale it.
Well, this is long enough, I hope it helps and best of luck with your baby!

 

[DovahDad]

Fortunately Spike is no longer dehydrated, but you've given some great tips to deal with a dehydrated beardie.

As for the lighting issue, I'm not sure. If it doesn't appear to bother him them I'm sure it's fine. If you think it's causing him to wake up early you could stop using it.

I don't know how their night vision is. I suspect it's not that great since what you describe - beardies just staying where they are when you shut off the lights - is a pretty common occurrence from what I've seen. I'm not sure it bothers them though. Mine seems content to just pass out wherever, though often he'll put himself to bed in his favorite spot before the lights go out.

I think you made the right call taking the sand out, at least until he's bigger.

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Another quick question. He has been doing it a lot today, but he doesn't do it to often. He will go inside his basking rock and scratch on the inside. What does this mean, and it is anything bad? Oh and he is pooping regularly now so I definitely think it was the sand.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Is he scratching around during the day while his light is still on? They tend to like to scratch around & play on their logs, etc.
That is great you took the sand out for now, it sounds like that has helped him out a lot, too.
How is his appetite doing now?
Do you leave the red light on all night? They can see some at night, but not sure how well. You can also use a ceramic heat emitter, too.

Tracie

 

[TheRealGamer03]

Ok, after a few months, here is another update. He has been doing great. He rarely isn't shedding, but I think that is 1) Because of his age, and 2) Because his body is trying to catch up after him not eating for 2 months. Other than the annoying shedding, he is doing absolutely amazing. He eats a lot, is basically a calcium addict, and is ridiculously fat compared to what he was(he now weighs over 150 grams!!!). It is still hard to believe, that just 3 months or so ago, he was nearly dead. He is now in a 50 gallon tank, still no sand, but I will probably try it again sometime in August or early September. He has had no problems, and never has any abnormalities. And again, thank you all for all your help, I will try to remember to post some pictures within the next week.

 

[SDragon]

Glad he is doing well, is that pure calcium or calcium with d3?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is terrific he has improved so much for you & has really gained some weight, also!
Pictures would be great when you can get them posted. I am sure he is definitely eating a lot, he is growing rapidly right now.

Let us know how he progresses.

Tracie

 

[TheRealGamer03]

OMG I am so sorry for not getting back, I have just had so much going on Right now, but DON'T WORRY. I have pictures:

So ya he's been doing really well, and weighs over 300 grams!
Thank you all so much again, and I'm so sorry it took me so long to post these