closing one eye

[Beardeddragon1]

I’ve just changed my UVB bulb to 10 as I’ve had a five the past 3 days and my bearded dragon keeps closing one eye at a time and his beard has turned black. He is changing which eye he opens each time. Should I be worried.

Also he’s a juvenile.

 

[Squishy]

I’ve just changed my UVB bulb to 10 as I’ve had a five the past 3 days and my bearded dragon keeps closing one eye at a time and his beard has turned black. He is changing which eye he opens each time. Should I be worried.

Also he’s a juvenile.

Mine is an adult and has been doing that forever, but I have noticed in the wild lizard seem to do the same thing while basking, I am willing to bet it is no different than us being out on a bright sunny day and shading our eyes they just alternate to keep them safe and know their surroundings, some I have seen just close them both while basking. Unless you see something wrong or in their eye I would think your little guys is fine. Make sure your light is 6-8 " a way from you highest spot as outlined on the specs for the 10.0 bulb.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

Since I’ve changed his bulb he’s went off his food and seems very lazy. He’s only 4 months but I’m just worried whether he’s ill or if he’s just adapting to his new light ? I’ve also only had him 5 days

 

[Squishy]

Okay well, my first thought is you only had him 5 days he might be stressed some and needs to settle in some, if you have his basking area set up right 90-110° and his cooler side in the mid 80's you are feeding him greens and protein daily with calcium and vitamin D, keep water bowl in his cage shoulder deep only I would think he is just adjusting to new home, and do you mean completely not eating anything or he is just not eating as much?
Do you have a temp gun to get good readings at his basking spot?
How are his night temps.?
What are you feeding him?
Making your husbandry on par is the best thing to check, if you are okay there maybe he needs to see a vet.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

He’s been a good eater his first 3 days. He took food from my hand on Friday but yesterday he only had a mealworm or two, as he wouldn’t touch his crickets and today he’s had a meal worm and he’s just ate a cricket as I’m typing this. His basking temperature is at about 105 and his cooler end is about 72 ? He ate his greens the first couple days now he doesn’t seem fussed and I have yet to see him drink his water.

 

[Squishy]

Is he alert and active? Also I rarely see my dragon drink his water but I have seen from time to time and I would rather have it in ther than not. Have you tried giving him a warm bath? Test the water like you would a baby bottle on the sensitive part of your wrist and again shoulder level. See if that helps. Where did you purchase/ get your little guy?

 

[Beardeddragon1]

He kind of stalks me at some points in the day and he’s been exploring his tank a little today. He knows when I’m near his tank etc. I haven’t tried giving him a bath as he’s not entirely used to me, he isn’t aggressive towards my hand but he runs if I pet him. I bought him from a reptile store

 

[Squishy]

Yea he will run from you a bit be patient with that, I will cup my one hand and use the other to kind of corral him to my other and then gently cover him with it and take him to the tub I use the tub so it has room to run and swim and I sit with him for about 10- 15, he will usually poop at this time (just a heads up). Speaking of has he been pooping regularly? Is it dry or watery? ( sorry this may be a little gross buts give info to general health.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

Yeah he has pooped every day I think and I’ve just been clearing it out. It’s hard and sometimes has white in. I’m right in thinking this is his urate ?

 

[Squishy]

If the stool is hard he may be a little dehydrated, your are correct the white is urate. The stool should be soft but hold form(not runny) but should not be hard. I would definitely try to get him in a warm bath let the water run a little while he is in it they usually like to drink near it. Hope he gets back to normal if he does not get better within a day or two you may want to take him to a vet.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

Would his poo harden through the day because I’ve never seen him poo I just find it so i don’t know if it gets hard as it stands. And I will try him in a bath tomorrow. Thanks a lot for your help

 

[Squishy]

Okay yea that happens with mine when they go I am usually at work and it dries up some but the weekends I noticed it is how I described and normal. No problem, they have a good book on dragons through Amazon you might want to check it out it is called Bearded dragon manual 2nd edition. Again good luck hope he is just stressed and will come around in the next day or two.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

He ate fine this morning but I really feel like giving him a bath will be best for him but I think it’ll stress him so much considering I’m going to have to take him out which I’ve never done especially when he doesn’t yet tolerate me pettin him. Do you think i should wait or go ahead with it

 

[Squishy]

I would go ahead and bathe him just be patient and gentle, get him on one hand then use your palm on the other hand put it in front of his nose they will usually stop and hold still them cup him like you would a butterfly, when filling the bath make sure there are no bottles or soaps on the edge let the water run put him in it once you check the temp and then let it fill to his shoulders, he will more than likely drink at that point, from what I have read and understand they do not sense standing water but the water agitation will let him know and he will drink( not sure if this part is true but it doesn't hurt either so I error on caution rather than dismissing it). Glad to here he is eating sounds like he will be fine.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

He’s ate today as I’ve changed his food bowl to clear and he can see the worms and food so he’s more intrigued, I’ve just found his poo however and I’m not sure if this is healthy ?

 

[Squishy]

I do not see anything wrong there, does not look overly dry and is not runny. I would say everything is okay and it sounds like your little guy is coming around and doing better.

 

[Alex Greene]

Yeah just let him get calmed down before anything else.

 

[Beardeddragon1]

Okay thank you! Also he’s hid under his log last night and hasn’t came out this morning when I turned his lights on?

 

[Galapoodle]

Great thread here, lots of info. I need to mention, mealworms are actually generally discouraged as live feeders. Their shells are really hard and can cause impaction. Alternatives are (as a staple) crickets which you already are using, and dubia roaches (which I can't get in Canada-not allowed), Phoenix worms (aka Soldier Fly Larvae), Silk worms, and as treats only, Super Worms (high in fat), and Horn Worms (these are good for hydration), butter worms (also high in fat). More and more salad and less live as your dragon matures into an adult in the coming months. Good luck! It sounds like you are going to be a great dragon keeper!

 

[Galapoodle]

Hey, about your lighting, are you using a tube UVB? Arcadia T5-HO 12% mounted above the screen is what I'm rocking for UVB and it lasts a year. The regular uvbs are not nearly as good in terms of output, it's a better UVB spectrum with the tube lights. So sayeth the experts. I got mine (and the fixture) from a company in the US called Pangea Reptiles. I'm not a lighting specialist, just sharing things I've learned.