Dragons know what they need for their lights- have you tried letting him eat on his own? So he's 10 I had to back an reread your post- is he losing weight? If he's not I wouldn't worry to much - see if he will eat on his own- what are you feeding him? Has he eaten as far as insects? Is he eating those on his own?
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Beardie brumating after eating, has not pooped in a long time!
- Thread starter vjfox7
- Start date
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
Here is what his setup is now. His hide is on the cold side of his enclosure. The temp is only getting up to high 80s under basking light, when I had a hotter bulb in (that was getting to mid-90s) he would stay up there LESS often, so I reduced the temp some. I have the 24" T5 bulb, and there was room for the ZooMed 10.0 UVB compact light so I put that up there too, I wasn't sure if the other one would reach the whole area up there. The current basking lamp is a 75w bulb.
He does look like he has some scale on the bottom left eyelid. I took a pic but you have to enlarge it to see it, I am assuming from his last shed which was a few weeks ago. But it doesn't want to seem to come off. I have wiped it gently with a damp paper towel with no change.
He does look like he has some scale on the bottom left eyelid. I took a pic but you have to enlarge it to see it, I am assuming from his last shed which was a few weeks ago. But it doesn't want to seem to come off. I have wiped it gently with a damp paper towel with no change.
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Ok lets get rid of the coil UVB it is actually doing more harm than good - your T 5 is plenty of UVB w/ a distance of 8-10 inches directly above the basking decor- 80 degree temps is not hot enough to start digestion that is a good temp for cool side of tank - his temps need to be 95-100 directly under the heat lamp this is a good reason why he is not eating on his own -- dragons will quit eating if temps are not correct along w/ UVB -- you want that probe set under his basking light you dont need to leave it there just long enough to get the actual surface basking temps you want ambient temps in that area around 100
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
The only other basking bulb I have is 125 watt, and now the temp is up to 118 and climbing. I guess I need to get a 100 watt bulb.
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
He won’t even eat insects on his own. He seems to like the critical care herbivore paste better than insects right now, spits out insects.
Yes that is way too hot
How is he eating the herbivore? Are you syringe feeding him or is he eating that on his own - he needs insects/ protein - did you shut the coil UVB off? Did the shed come off under the eye? You may haft to order some carnivore for him and mix it w/ his herbivore -- I need Tracie to weigh in on this - or you can get some baby food chicken and feed that to him - see how he likes that? I am going to flag Tracie -- make sure he is hydrated - how is he getting water?
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
I am making a wet paste of it and putting it in his mouth. I mix 1Tb of the critical care herbivore mix with 3/8-1/2 tsp Reptaboost since it has a higher protein content. Then I give him 1-2ml additional water every feeding also. He is maintaining his weight on 2-4 feedings weekly of that. And yes, he is about 10yrs old. The crust on his lower eyelid has not come off yet.
I did remove the coil lamp.
I will be getting a new bulb tomorrow.
I did remove the coil lamp.
I will be getting a new bulb tomorrow.
Ok so he is maintaining weight and not losing weight that is good- try taking a soft baby toothbrush mist the eye and lightly brush the eye see if that does not remove the shed - new bulb meaning basking bulb correct?
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
Yes. I am trying out some other bulbs I have, but so far they are all either too cool or way too hot. The last one got up to 121 F so I took it out and am trying another. But I have a 100 watt bulb being delivered tomorrow. He actually sat (not right under, but near) close to the 121 bulb for quite awhile before finally running off into his hide.
Ok so those hot temps will burn him -- so try the 100 watt and see where that gets you - you may haft to add another low wattage bulb like 50 watt or so to reach the desired temp of 95-100
Hello,
Sorry you are still having trouble with your dragon eating. I agree with Sadie, he will most likely not
have a reduced appetite if he is overheated. Are you using a temp gun or digital probe to measure
the temperatures to be sure they are accurate?
The critical care carnivore care or omnivore care are good. Or you can use a mix of chicken or turkey
baby food mixed with sweet potato baby food or squash baby food combined together is fine. You can
use a plastic dropper or plastic syringe to drop it onto the end of his nose to see if he will lick that off of
his nose.
Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie
Sorry you are still having trouble with your dragon eating. I agree with Sadie, he will most likely not
have a reduced appetite if he is overheated. Are you using a temp gun or digital probe to measure
the temperatures to be sure they are accurate?
The critical care carnivore care or omnivore care are good. Or you can use a mix of chicken or turkey
baby food mixed with sweet potato baby food or squash baby food combined together is fine. You can
use a plastic dropper or plastic syringe to drop it onto the end of his nose to see if he will lick that off of
his nose.
Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
I have the temperature now at about 103 F. He continues basking for awhile every day (a few hours to 6hrs) then goes back into his hide. He is not coming out on his own, I am pulling him out every morning and putting him under the light. I am feeding him the critical care paste about twice weekly and giving him some worms another day or two weekly but he is spitting them out and not wanting to eat them (I get a few down him). Not sure if some of this is just older age? I don't know how they act when they get old.
How often do I need to replace the tube T5 bulb? Every 6mos?
How often do I need to replace the tube T5 bulb? Every 6mos?
T 5 every 10-11 months- please lower the surface basking temps down to 95-100--How is he getting water? It sounds like he's wanting to brunate--
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
He has never drank water that I am aware of. I mist him and the glass around him daily (after I put him under the light) and when I feed him I give him an additional 1-2ml water each time, and try to keep the paste pretty moist so it isn't too dry.
Why am I lowering the temp now when you wanted it raised before? (I just want to understand the thought process). Thank you for the info on the T5 light.
Why am I lowering the temp now when you wanted it raised before? (I just want to understand the thought process). Thank you for the info on the T5 light.
Is he basking under the 103? If so leave it - just watch his behavior
vjfox7
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 19
He will bask for a few hours to about half the day, but then goes back into his hide. Yesterday he was out longer than that I think.
He's fine then
Musicmanslady
Hatchling Dragon
- Messages
- 86
No worries...they dont bask all day, they thermoregulate on their own, moving to a cooler spot when theyve had enough heat. They should bask in the morning...some are later sleepers than others, and right after eating to digest their food. Ive moved Kai to his basking spot sometimes in the morning when he sleeps in too long..he basks awhile and then goes about his beardie business. If you watch them for a good while, youll see that they do move back and forth, esp if you have various levels, hides, etc for them to move to. Ive also noticed if I dont move him to basking spot, he eventually goes there on his own. In the colder months, dragons over a year old slow down, some brumate and some, like mine, just eat less and sleep more but dont fully go down. Kai just went through it and is now back to his wakeful busy self..its warmer outside here now. This happens even if your tank is consistently warm. Not all dragons brumate. As far as the poops go, their poop pattern changes too esp as they reach adulthood and their metabolism slows. Its not uncommon for adult dragons to poop every 1 to 2 weeks instead of every day. Just watch the poops..as long as they have some solid consistency but are moist, with moist white urate (dragon pee), they are good. If its more than a week to ten days or so, you can try a warm soak for 20 to 30 minutes in elbow deep water. You can use an eye dropper to drip water gently a drop or two on his nose and if hes thirsty, he'll drink. Sometimes they dont. Mine just closes his mouth or closes his eyes when he doesnt want water. If you are concerned at all or if he is acting ill, refusing food etc, you can drop off a poop sample to an exotic vet to test for parasites. NO enemas though!
