Amuseismom
Member
I have a 5 yr old dragon, Amusei. Up until last October life for him was great. That was when I began to noticed he would have a black beard and belly with darker stripes. He also started to become less actiive when we took him out to run free range. In addition, he would slide from his basking rock and occasionally flip on his back. He could recover and flip himself, though I would sometimes jump up and help him because it made me nervous. I replaced his UVB light and yet he continued to become more lazy...alert and watching just not walking much. I took him to the vet when 20 days had passed and he hadn't pooped. We reviewed his diet, lights, housing all of which he said was fine. He got a fecal sample after helping him poop, Ran tests and came back saying he had coccidia and put him on Ponazuril for 28 days. I managed 21 days with him taking it before I decided it was causing more stress trying to have him take it. I have read the full 28 days is not necessary, however the vet wanted it given as instructed.
Bath time he was drinking water for the first time ever. Also, he only goes poop in the bathwater since he was younger and thinking impaction was instructed to bath 2 times a day. I deep cleaned his house like crazy every week and still I felt something wasn't right. Took him back to vet for blood work which I was told was good. Calcium was on the higher end of normal. Liver enzymes the same, high end but normal.
Replaced the UVB light again just in case the one put in October wasn't good. Took him to a second vet who agreed with first vet (wasn't impressed with her at all). Even though I mentioned that his left rear leg seemed to be giving him problems. She stated full ROM and strength.
2 days later while climbing down off his rock his left leg seemed weak and he suddenly fell. Again landing on back. Took him to see 3rd vet for emergency appointment. X-rays came back perfect. This vet took a long time talking with us and I explained how I felt it had to do with his lights as they were higher temps when measuring them. I have both a probe light that I place on his rock while he is out and a temp gun. He is walking more and almost running compared to previously. But, still has black beard and appears stressed at times though. I never measured everyday his temperature before all this started.
So 5 yrs old 40 gallon tank (because we take him out so much we never upgraded).
Diet: he eats better than me. Greens: mustard, turnip, dandelion, collard, endive, arugula, acorn and butternut squash. Occasionally green peppers, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, celery leaves. He is fed every other day per vet in 2016 when last blood work showed fatty liver disease. Treated and was fine since. Have been instructed to cut down on fruit. He also has Phoenix worms, hornworms, and occasionally superworms. Was instructed to provide Dubia roaches. He will not eat crickets.
Food is dusted with Repashy Calcium Plus
He has reptile carpet with a basking rock and then a bed on the cool side. Keeping it simple with him falling.
His lights and temps which at this point are where my concern lie and I have tried several brands and wattage.
I use a Zoo med reptisun 10.0 T8 in a Zoo med reflector fixture that goes the entire way across his house which is on a screen. Basking is 100 watt and nighttime a 50 watt CHE.
So nighttime gets to 67 degrees, I have turned on the CHE and that gets to 77. Basking 100 though again I measure and get higher temps sometimes and other times it seems low. Like around 89. Honestly I am thinking I am nuts when it comes to these lights. When I had the 75 watt in it would be around 90-93. I have heard and read so many variables with regards to temps. Going by the last vet, he said for our area which is experiencing temps in the single digits he recommends that his basking side should be between 95-100. Never over 102.
I am concerned that he may not be getting the correct MVB. Wondering if I should add a MVB for additional UVB.
Any suggestions?
Bath time he was drinking water for the first time ever. Also, he only goes poop in the bathwater since he was younger and thinking impaction was instructed to bath 2 times a day. I deep cleaned his house like crazy every week and still I felt something wasn't right. Took him back to vet for blood work which I was told was good. Calcium was on the higher end of normal. Liver enzymes the same, high end but normal.
Replaced the UVB light again just in case the one put in October wasn't good. Took him to a second vet who agreed with first vet (wasn't impressed with her at all). Even though I mentioned that his left rear leg seemed to be giving him problems. She stated full ROM and strength.
2 days later while climbing down off his rock his left leg seemed weak and he suddenly fell. Again landing on back. Took him to see 3rd vet for emergency appointment. X-rays came back perfect. This vet took a long time talking with us and I explained how I felt it had to do with his lights as they were higher temps when measuring them. I have both a probe light that I place on his rock while he is out and a temp gun. He is walking more and almost running compared to previously. But, still has black beard and appears stressed at times though. I never measured everyday his temperature before all this started.
So 5 yrs old 40 gallon tank (because we take him out so much we never upgraded).
Diet: he eats better than me. Greens: mustard, turnip, dandelion, collard, endive, arugula, acorn and butternut squash. Occasionally green peppers, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, celery leaves. He is fed every other day per vet in 2016 when last blood work showed fatty liver disease. Treated and was fine since. Have been instructed to cut down on fruit. He also has Phoenix worms, hornworms, and occasionally superworms. Was instructed to provide Dubia roaches. He will not eat crickets.
Food is dusted with Repashy Calcium Plus
He has reptile carpet with a basking rock and then a bed on the cool side. Keeping it simple with him falling.
His lights and temps which at this point are where my concern lie and I have tried several brands and wattage.
I use a Zoo med reptisun 10.0 T8 in a Zoo med reflector fixture that goes the entire way across his house which is on a screen. Basking is 100 watt and nighttime a 50 watt CHE.
So nighttime gets to 67 degrees, I have turned on the CHE and that gets to 77. Basking 100 though again I measure and get higher temps sometimes and other times it seems low. Like around 89. Honestly I am thinking I am nuts when it comes to these lights. When I had the 75 watt in it would be around 90-93. I have heard and read so many variables with regards to temps. Going by the last vet, he said for our area which is experiencing temps in the single digits he recommends that his basking side should be between 95-100. Never over 102.
I am concerned that he may not be getting the correct MVB. Wondering if I should add a MVB for additional UVB.
Any suggestions?
