Hellooo! I’m visiting a vet in a few days just to make sure he’s all healthy, but there are a few concerns I have that I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they are something to worry about or not. Here are a few blurry pics and what I’m worried about. Notice I got him like this and have been doing my best to care for him.
-The very tip of his tail is black and just looks dead, and now the rest of his tail is turning black
-His color isn’t very vibrant and it seems like all his scales except for one part of his tail is foggy and dull
-He suddenly isn’t eating much and is less active
-He’ll breathe heavily a few times every so often, and has made a little squeak like noise which was sort of like he was trying to cough a couple of times
Can you post another pic of the end of the tail please-- it looks like it has a injury or something but a better pic would be good
Please tell us what your using for a UVB brand and bulb and coil or tube and where in the tank --
Basking temps and how are you taking them please -- NO stick ons they are inaccurate
Karrie
Apologies I’m not home right now so I can’t take pics, though I can answer about his lights. The bulbs are from Thrive, his full spectrum light/regular light is a coil and his basking light is a bulb that gets wider towards the end of it. I use digital thermometers from zoo med, and his temperatures are 90 degrees (basking area) and 75 degrees (color side). I have the basking light on one side of the tank and the other light on the other side.
Ok so the bulb coil is a 13 Watt I am guessing and the basking light is a bright white bulb ?? I am gonna say you need to get rid of the coil thrive bulb-- they are inadequate and are no good -- please replace w/ this if your tank is 40+ gallons https://www.reptilesupplyco.com/wholesale-reptile-hoods-domes-fixtures/1884-reptisun-terrarium-hood-t5-24-zoo-med.html this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you can hang on to it for a back up it is equivalent to a T 8 distance in tank would be different from the bulb I am recommending https://www.reptilesupplyco.com/t5-uvb-bulbs/1878-reptisun-100-uvb-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb-22-zoo-med.html
These are the best on the market at this time-- please call and find out shipping times before you order they are out of CA -- 916-226-4089
If you can find the fixture and bulb around your area that would be good if not you can look around some more - Most places are out of stock - my go to place is out and they have a hard time keeping these fixtures and bulbs in stock--
Basking temps should be 105-110 for a baby --- juvie/ adult 95-110-- what wattage are you using for the basking light ? Cool side of tank should be in the 80's during the day not below 65 at nite
Karrie
Ok so replace the coil UVB --- it is no good - especially in the larger tanks -- the basking light needs to be able to keep temps 95-110 for a juvenile / adult dragon -- the 90 degrees is not hot enough - ok so here is what I would do -- when you get the UVB replaced it needs to go inside the tank for a fine screen like a screen door - if its wide holed like a dime or similar it can stay on top so we need to determine that when you get the UVB - I would set the tank up w/ the basking area on one end w/ a good piece of decor like this or similar https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-driftwood-reptile-decor-54734.html?cgid=500116 doesnt haft to be this piece it offers a good gradient heat for him and he will be able to pick the spot he wants to bask - in the meantime you need to get your basking temps up -- work on that and get your UVB situated - once you get these in place and in check his behavior will change
Karrie
Yes better than the coil-- at this point the coil is not providing adequate UVB if any at all --- he can go a few days w/ out the UVB -- if need be you can get him outside if your temps are above 65 - place him in a plastic tote NO Glass -- set him in direct sunlight/ partial shade for 15 minutes - no longer if its really hot you dont want to burn him up -- supervise him - you can do this several times / day - if he sits on you really good then have him sit on you for however long you can stand the heat -- just dont loose him --- they do have a tendency to get startled and run - that is why I suggested the tote - please keep me posted
Karrie
Hi there, I just wanted to add that the tail looks fine, might be going in to shed. I would be concerned about the odd breathing, since his basking temp. is only 90 he may be developing a respiratory infection. Get the heat fixed ASAP and hopefully he'll be O.K.
I agree, his tail looks fine to me as well, maybe some shedding coming on. Their tails seem
to turn a little darker right before they shed. It should lighten up as it dries up & sheds off.
The Thrive light is an off brand so it likely not emitting good UVB. The Reptisun 10 tube or
the Arcadia D3 12% tube are both good. We normally recommend using the T5 high output
tube because it lasts longer & is a much better bulb than the T8.
Yes better than the coil-- at this point the coil is not providing adequate UVB if any at all --- he can go a few days w/ out the UVB -- if need be you can get him outside if your temps are above 65 - place him in a plastic tote NO Glass -- set him in direct sunlight/ partial shade for 15 minutes - no longer if its really hot you dont want to burn him up -- supervise him - you can do this several times / day - if he sits on you really good then have him sit on you for however long you can stand the heat -- just dont loose him --- they do have a tendency to get startled and run - that is why I suggested the tote - please keep me posted
Karrie
Just a little update, I got him some better lights. He has a exo terra intense basking light and a reptisun 10.0 t8 and him temperatures are now 103 and 82. Are my temperatures good now?