Tail darkening and black beard :(

[yreva38]

this is my dragon Smaug. I've posted before about his tail being being bent by his bottom, that's still there. But he now has blackening on the sides of his neck/beard. I'm not sure what's going on and I know I need to take him to the vet but I'm also seeking other advice. Please help, any little comment or suggestion is helpful.

 

[AustinnKaine]

He definitely looks uncomfortable. Sometimes if a beardie is ill, or something is wrong they can be more defensive. He definitely looks as if that is the case. I am sure more qualified people will be in here soon.

They are going to ask about the temps in the tank, how you are taking them, which uvb light you are using, and how old the uvb light is. Also what is your beardies diet, and have you seen a vet regarding the tail? Or what was the conclusion regarding the tail?

 

[AustinnKaine]

Also could you post a better picture of his tail? Is that a lump close to his vent/spine?

 

[yreva38]

Also could you post a better picture of his tail? Is that a lump close to his vent/spine?

here's picture of the tail

 

[AustinnKaine]

What was the conclusion regarding his tail in the previous thread?

 

[yreva38]

He definitely looks uncomfortable. Sometimes if a beardie is ill, or something is wrong they can be more defensive. He definitely looks as if that is the case. I am sure more qualified people will be in here soon.

They are going to ask about the temps in the tank, how you are taking them, which uvb light you are using, and how old the uvb light is. Also what is your beardies diet, and have you seen a vet regarding the tail? Or what was the conclusion regarding the tail?

I was told to supplement calcium, and I have. as for his diet, I had been giving him some wax worms for a while and I ran out. When he was a baby I mainly fed him crickets, I need to get more

 

[yreva38]

What was the conclusion regarding his tail in the previous thread?

I was told to supplement calcium, and I have. as for his diet, I had been giving him some wax worms for a while and I ran out. When he was a baby I mainly fed him crickets, I need to get more

 

[AustinnKaine]

How old is your UVB? Also can you post some photos of his setup?

What are the temperatures like? And how are you taking those?

Also, on a typical day what does your beardie eat and how much? How often are you supplementing calcium?

I know it is a lot of questons but try to answer all of them! Just want to rule some things out.

 

[yreva38]

How old is your UVB? Also can you post some photos of his setup?

What are the temperatures like? And how are you taking those?

Also, on a typical day what does your beardie eat and how much? How often are you supplementing calcium?

I know it is a lot of questons but try to answer all of them! Just want to rule some things out.

Um the bulb hasn't even been in there for a year yet. I got him last august. Ive been feeding him dried mealworms and live wax worms, the meal worms always have a calcium supplement coating on them. Good news though, I just cleaned his tank and fed him some strawberries (he loves them) and I put a bunch of other fruit in his tank with him. He seems perkier and happier already, moving around a lot right now. I help him for a bit also. I plan to get crickets today as well. As for temperature its usually at 80 degrees in there, I just cleaned the tank though so its warming up again. I will post a picture of the tank in a moment

 

[yreva38]

How old is your UVB? Also can you post some photos of his setup?

What are the temperatures like? And how are you taking those?

Also, on a typical day what does your beardie eat and how much? How often are you supplementing calcium?

I know it is a lot of questons but try to answer all of them! Just want to rule some things out.

Um the bulb hasn't even been in there for a year yet. I got him last august. Ive been feeding him dried mealworms and live wax worms, the meal worms always have a calcium supplement coating on them. Good news though, I just cleaned his tank and fed him some strawberries (he loves them) and I put a bunch of other fruit in his tank with him. He seems perkier and happier already, moving around a lot right now. I help him for a bit also. I plan to get crickets today as well. As for temperature its usually at 80 degrees in there, I just cleaned the tank though so its warming up again. I will post a picture of the tank in a moment

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Stick on thermostats are highly inaccurate. You should be using an infrared thermometer, gun thermometer, or probe thermometer. Your temps are also supposed to be ~80 on the cool side, and 100-105 on the basking spot for younger dragons.
Here is a good thermometer for cheap. http://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00CVHIJDK?ie=UTF8&colid=3M3JJ4NVYW19F&coliid=I19ARAMXQVBOKA&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl
Your UVB Is 8 months old?! Replace it immediately, those things tend to last only 6 months.
Meal worms are meh in pretty much all ways compared to most feeders. You are better off getting crickets, dubia roaches, BSF Larvae (phoenix worms), or silk worms. IF you aren't already ordering online, you should. Here are some good places in the US area: http://www.dubiaroaches.com, http://www.abdragons.com, and http://www.phoenixworm.com.

 

[AustinnKaine]

I think your beardie isn't feeling well due to lack of proper nutrition and uvb exposure.