Previous owner didn't have UVB for Mr. Spock

[Beardoman]

Hello all. I'm just a little perturbed about all this.

Yesterday I bought my first bearded dragon from someone on Facebook classifieds. I really thought I was getting a deal. An entire setup for $100. Tank, cricket box, worms, light fixture + lights etc.

I live far away from Petco so while I was in town I figured I'd buy a spare bulb. I asked the guy at Petco for the bulb, he knew I was a new beardie owner. He had two beardies of his own. I assumed he was intelligent. Ultimately my fault but I like to give people benefit of doubt. I get home and realize the bulb he sold me was not uvb. Neither was the one the previous owner had installed. She told me that bulb had been installed 2 months ago.

I'm sorry to make this long winded but I'm a little bummed how this all turned out. It's confirmed he has been without uvb for at least 2 months, probably more because the Petco guy was the source of knowledge for the previous owner.

Is it possible a beardie can live without uvb? Spock is 10 months old.

 

[Beardoman]

 

[SHBailey]

He needs a good source of UV as soon as possible -- a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube is a good one. Also calcium and vitamin D3 supplements. He's at risk for having developed metabolic bone disease if he went without UV for that long, especially at his age, so I'd have him evaluated by a good reptile vet if at all possible. With a little luck and good care from now on, he may still be able to recover.

 

[Beardoman]

Thank you, yes I ordered one tonight. I hope he makes it. Is there a way to check if he has MBD?

 

[SHBailey]

The most common symptoms are muscle spasms or jerky movements and malformed bones (bumps in the spine, legs, or jaw), but a vet can do tests to make sure.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. He's a keeper for sure. I see you have round dial thermometer. I would get a temp gun or a digital with a wire probe. Those stick on ones are very inaccurate. Also is that walnut shells for substrate? If so I'd get rid of those ASAP. If ingested they can cause internal injuries. I use ceramic tile. It was only $6 dollars a box and is super easy to clean and keeps the nails filed. Good luck with your little guy

 

[Beardoman]

Aww thank you! Yes I like him even though he's pretty indifferent toward me. It's funny how he watches every move I make, like he has a hidden ball of defense energy reserved.

Yes that is a temp dial, I know they are taboo here but luckily I have a real good temp gun

And that is sand I believe. I heard that was bad as well.

See what I mean about the not as great a deal I thought it was?

 

[Beardoman]

Aww thank you! Yes I like him even though he's pretty indifferent toward me. It's funny how he watches every move I make, like he has a hidden ball of defense energy reserved.

Yes that is a temp dial, I know they are taboo here but luckily I have a real good temp gun

And that is sand I believe. I read that was bad as well.

And a red night light. I read that was bad as well.

See what I mean about the not as great a deal I thought it was?

 

[destiny1998]

Yeah. Some people just want money and hope you just take that animal off their hands. It's sad, but at least he has a new good owner now

 

[Beardoman]

Thanks destiny, I feel a little more encouraged now

I will try my best to save this beardo and raise him like a child I have yet to have! Haha

 

[AHBD]

Is he active + moving around O.K ? Just wondering if he lays around like that during the day, that would be a sign of a health problem. Offer him some water dripped on his snout for a drink or give him a lukewarm shallow 5-10 minute bath if it doesn't stress him. He may drink while being soaked. And yes, get rid of the crushed walnut right away, it can cause terrible impaction + even death in some cases.

 

[Glamamama]

Is he active + moving around O.K ? Just wondering if he lays around like that during the day, that would be a sign of a health problem. Offer him some water dripped on his snout for a drink or give him a lukewarm shallow 5-10 minute bath if it doesn't stress him. He may drink while being soaked. And yes, get rid of the crushed walnut right away, it can cause terrible impaction + even death in some cases.

You can buy the tiles in Home Depot or Lowes super cheap and they are easy to clean. Much safer v the sand or crushed walnut. They really like the beardie hammocks and those are inexpensive on Amazon or even in Petco. They like to climb and have a log or something to hide in or cool off so that is something to consider. That Reptisun 10.0 is the best too.

 

[Beardoman]

It seems to be going okay. While lethargic, he is consistent.

He doesn't lay around like that all day. He looks more lively and is usually perched up on his arms or his log. But that's all he really does. He moves to a slightly different position about once an hour but that's about it. He isn't opposed to or excited to be picked up. He's pretty indifferent. And wherever I set him down at he doesn't move much, even to get comfotable. I gave him a bath yesterday about 90*f and he seemed to like it.

It was actually pretty cute, hed stick his head under the faucet because he liked the water dripping on his head, I'm guessing.

Anyway, he watches pretty much every move I make and he was okay with me watching him eat until a minute ago when I laughed every time he missed a cricket, now he seems very leery of me. I guess I shouldn't be a jerk because he wont eat the crickets running around his tank now lol.

I ordered all the stuff from the newbie article including the correct size reptisun 10 bulb.

 

[Beardoman]

Pooped! Haha well that rules out one thing!

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

He looks incredibly sweet
It sounds like you're making some necessary changes and he should live a happy healthy life in your care.

I'm glad to hear he has an appetite!
Did you notice any shaking/tremors while he was going for the food?

I apologize if I missed it but are you able to run us through your enclosure specs?
Tank size (I see it photo'd but I'm a terrible judge of size) as well as the basking spot temp. At 10 mo he should be pretty active still, if not basking about 90% of his day.

Photos of him more alert would be great as well!
***EDIT - you literally posted a photo of him alert as I was hitting submit