URGENT NOW PLEASE HELP? Lethargic baby dragon....

[Motherdragon]

We have had our 12 week old beardie two weeks and apart from the odd day when he hasn't eaten quite as much as we'd like (which usually follows a day when he's pigged out) all has been well.

However, the last 36 hours he has been very lethargic, barely opening his eyes. He woke like this yesterday morning - staying in the same spot all day and only eating a few crickets. He pooped yesterday.

This morning he was the same.

No change in husbandry - 4ft viv 37 (98.6) degrees in corner of hot side; 45 (113) degrees under basking light; 26 (78.8 ) degrees on cool side - double probed digital thermometer. 13 hours of light per day from a D3+ 12% UVB bulb.

We gave him a warm bath this morning and at times he swam but also did a bit of listless floating which was alarming!!

We have hand fed him and he has eaten 10 crickets or so - he seems to barely be able to keep his eyes open even between crickets.

Can anyone offer any advice as to what might be wrong with our little chap? Worrying!!

S x

 

[Motherdragon]

This afternoon we cleaned out the viv and while we did Balerion lay on the bed with our son, he was still dozing and listless but after 5 minutes or so perked up and started to walk around a little. I offered him some wax worms and he ate several with gusto, perking right up and going after them somewhat if I placed them near to him.

After a few worms he did a big poo (normal) which was a relief!!

Back in his viv he settled down to bask, still not moving much.

At teatime he managed more crickets.

So although he did perk up, he's still not 100% - does anyone have any ideas?

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, can you post pics of him as well as his viv ? Is he shedding by chance or has he maybe eaten an insect that was too large ?

 

[Motherdragon]

Thanks for your reply - I don't have any pics from today and it's dark now so he's tucked up in his hide.

He's not flaky or anything but he does look a bit duller/greyer than usual. He's only had little crickets so I don't think it could be an insect that was too big. He pooped normally late afternoon.

 

[Motherdragon]

Balerion still poorly this morning, barely opening his eyes or moving even when handled, have misted him and he's eaten 1 X wax worm.

Pics here now of set up.

Viv:

https://goo.gl/photos/pc8fDqJxoUcp72ES7

Hot side - The position he's in mostly, head down, eyes shut (note position of thermometer probe currently reading 94.8 ):

https://goo.gl/photos/k1g2x4hCna1BFuAUA

Cool side - not temp probe currently reading 79.34:

https://goo.gl/photos/tSbP6ZyvCff5GCkj8

The little guy - currently 9" long and weighing 40g - he's gained 3g since we weighed him before the weekend:

https://goo.gl/photos/JDXQswneUU7LswXEA

We're at a loss, though hubby is wondering if the viv is too cool? I got him out to sit on the bed and he didn't even open his eyes and refused a wax worm.

Please advise fretting!!

 

[AHBD]

First off, your viv is beautiful !! I doubt it's too cool, you say the basking spot is 113 ? That's pretty high. How long do you leave the probe in, or does it stay in all the time ? I'm asking because I've heard that it can take about 20 minutes to read the proper temp. If anything, maybe too hot > Just a guess, and here are a few others.....did you use any type of glue or paint in the viv that might give off fumes ? Also, how many waxworms has he eaten ? He looks bloated so I'm wondering, even though he poo'd, if he has an upset tummy from too many waxworms. Stick to small crickets....speaking of which, they must be no longer than the space between his eyes. For hydration, drip water on his snout rather than misting. Misting is only beneficial if the viv has very low humidity [ under 30] and if the dragon licks up the drops. So just water the dragon by spritzing or dripping it on his nose.

I'm not sure why he's lethargic, those are a few guesses. Any chance he ate something outside of the viv ? They do swallow foreign objrcts at times....coins, rubber bands, etc. You might also get a fecal exam done to check for parasites. Someone else may have some thoughts. Best wishes !

 

[Motherdragon]

Thanks for your reply.

The temp from the probe near the basking spot is 98.4 - the probe stays there the whole time.

He was like this before he had the wax worms yesterday but maybe that hasn't helped.

He did have vinyl adhesive tiles on the base of the viv until yesterday when we removed them, they had been in a week. Could it have been those?

Have rung the shop we got him from and they said to take him in and they will monitor him for a few days

 

[AHBD]

Yes, it is a possibility. Both the tiles themselves as well as the adhesive. Here's some info:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi4z62E_aTNAhUKbj4KHSBNB_0QFgguMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecocenter.org%2Fhealthy-stuff%2Freports%2Fvinyl-floor-tiles%2Fpress_release&usg=AFQjCNHS-QGE1sXypQsXlk7dtDvvWxsSNw&sig2=SIzF7jVOOyaSLVfPwOZnZA

Not to say that's it for sure, but it can't be ruled out, either. Good that you got it out....is there any residual adhesive left ? While your beardie stays at the shop, try to scrub out any leftover adhesive.

 

[Motherdragon]

Hubby scrubbed the viv yesterday.

Spoke to the shop again after they saw the above pics and they think it's too hot - the thermostat probe should be in the centre. So we've adjusted that.

Too hot makes sense as he livened up after he was out on the bed yesterday for a while.

He's out of the viv now and has def perked up. So we're going to try the cooler viv this afternoon and then reassess.

 

[AHBD]

O.K, that was my first guess, but it's good that you got the vinyl out, too. Be sure to hydrate him.

 

[Motherdragon]

Thank you for your help!!

 

[Motherdragon]

After an hour on the bed with H Balerion has perked right up - even whizzing about a bit.

He did a big poo (on the bed again ? ) though refused to eat. He's now back in his (cooler) viv.

He looks like a different dragon from this morning:

https://goo.gl/photos/5yLNaoZwkeaEVDxS6

 

[Motherdragon]

So after going back in his cooler viv (temp reading from probe by him in the pic is 84 degrees - cool side is 79 degrees) Balerion is back to not moving and barely opening his eyes - we're at a loss

https://goo.gl/photos/EHuV79mGaHBzrDga7

 

[AHBD]

He still looks bloated, might be from the waxworms. It could also just be that he's tired. No way to tell but it doesn't seem too serious. And you can still get a fecal test done to rule out parasites.

 

[Motherdragon]

When you say bloated do you mean his tummy?

(Thanks for your help with this BTW)