Concerns for my bearded dragon

[crystallynda]

Hello everyone! Any suggestions on what to do with a bearded dragon who loves to hide most of the time and not want to eat much? Shes in a reptile bark substrate! Shes Proximately 5 years old! A surrender bearded dragon! That lost 3 toes on her hind legs!

My question is, are so many vet visits even worth it? She has gone 4 times already?

What is the best enclosure home for these beauties? Im debating on changing her enclosure completely! She’s currently in a 50-60 gallon tank! And has a 75 watt heat lamp and 100 black heat lamp! And the 24 watt 5.0 UVB bulb! With 3 hides! Suggestions are welcome!! I have had a dragon in the past..unfortunately he died on me too young! Trying to avoid making any of the same mistakes! Anyways I hope everyone is well!

 

[Sadie]

Hello everyone! Any suggestions on what to do with a bearded dragon who loves to hide most of the time and not want to eat much? Shes in a reptile bark substrate! Shes Proximately 5 years old! A surrender bearded dragon! That lost 3 toes on her hind legs!

My question is, are so many vet visits even worth it? She has gone 4 times already?

What is the best enclosure home for these beauties? Im debating on changing her enclosure completely! She’s currently in a 50-60 gallon tank! And has a 75 watt heat lamp and 100 black heat lamp! And the 24 watt 5.0 UVB bulb! With 3 hides! Suggestions are welcome!! I have had a dragon in the past..unfortunately he died on me too young! Trying to avoid making any of the same mistakes! Anyways I hope everyone is well!

First your tank is pretty good size so if you want upgrade to a 75 - 120 gallon tank - that is the best size for them - next your dragon is getting little to NO UVB -- the 5.0 bulb is more for aquarium use and w/ its placement she is getting NO UVB - 5.0 bulbs are not strong enough to go thru the screen and need a distance directly above the basking decor piece 6-8 inches -- cause for not eating -- she cannot absorb the calcium shes getting -- also if the bulb is 6 months or older its expired -- please upgrade to a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb - if the fixture is 24" Zoo Med it will take that bulb - if not I would recommend upgrading the fixture and bulb - the T 5 is for a reptile --- next I would get rid of the bark your using its too much of a hazard for ingestion and can cause internal injuries -- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from Walmart or your local home improvement store clean w/ vinegar / water 50/50 - cut to the size of your tank insects cannot get underneath -- next your basking bulb is it a clear solid bright white basking bulb? Daytime bulbs colored bulbs or off white or yellowish bulbs are not adequate for basking- you want surface basking temps of 95-100 for an adult dragon - another reason for not eating -- the black heat lamp is it colored ? or is it a solid coil like bulb that heats only ? the temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer w/ the probe placed on the spot where she /he basking 10 min or so then get the temp - the probe does not need to stay there but spot check temps every 10 days or so --- please get these things changed out as soon as you can your dragon is getting sick w/ out them being correct - I will help you get your UVB placed when you get it changed out -- but for now get your UVB the 5.0 UNOBSTRUCTED no screen please and a piece of decor directly under it 6-8 inches --- I can help w/ diet as well but we must start w/ getting her / him w/ the correct temps and UVB

 

[crystallynda]

First your tank is pretty good size so if you want upgrade to a 75 - 120 gallon tank - that is the best size for them - next your dragon is getting little to NO UVB -- the 5.0 bulb is more for aquarium use and w/ its placement she is getting NO UVB - 5.0 bulbs are not strong enough to go thru the screen and need a distance directly above the basking decor piece 6-8 inches -- cause for not eating -- she cannot absorb the calcium shes getting -- also if the bulb is 6 months or older its expired -- please upgrade to a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb - if the fixture is 24" Zoo Med it will take that bulb - if not I would recommend upgrading the fixture and bulb - the T 5 is for a reptile --- next I would get rid of the bark your using its too much of a hazard for ingestion and can cause internal injuries -- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from Walmart or your local home improvement store clean w/ vinegar / water 50/50 - cut to the size of your tank insects cannot get underneath -- next your basking bulb is it a clear solid bright white basking bulb? Daytime bulbs colored bulbs or off white or yellowish bulbs are not adequate for basking- you want surface basking temps of 95-100 for an adult dragon - another reason for not eating -- the black heat lamp is it colored ? or is it a solid coil like bulb that heats only ? the temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer w/ the probe placed on the spot where she /he basking 10 min or so then get the temp - the probe does not need to stay there but spot check temps every 10 days or so --- please get these things changed out as soon as you can your dragon is getting sick w/ out them being correct - I will help you get your UVB placed when you get it changed out -- but for now get your UVB the 5.0 UNOBSTRUCTED no screen please and a piece of decor directly under it 6-8 inches --- I can help w/ diet as well but we must start w/ getting her / him w/ the correct temps and UVB

wait, UVB bulb is zoo med! And the size I have is barely big enough for the enclosure I currently have? Can I have pictures to know what you are referring too please for enclosure and UVB and substrate and basking light please? The night heating is just that..just a heat source! What do you mean no screen?? You mean I need to get a bulb that goes inside the enclosure instead for UVB? I been taking her outside by the way on a regular basis too! Her UVB is within 4 months! She was surrendered to me this February! I got her bulb the month after! I also have a gun to check temps! Her basking is around 90–100 and her cooler sides are between 75-85! Currently wanting to put better guides inside once I get new enclosure!

 

[Sadie]

wait, UVB bulb is zoo med! And the size I have is barely big enough for the enclosure I currently have? Can I have pictures to know what you are referring too please for enclosure and UVB and substrate and basking light please? The night heating is just that..just a heat source! What do you mean no screen?? You mean I need to get a bulb that goes inside the enclosure instead for UVB? I been taking her outside by the way on a regular basis too! Her UVB is within 4 months! She was surrendered to me this February! I got her bulb the month after! I also have a gun to check temps! Her basking is around 90–100 and her cooler sides are between 75-85! Currently wanting to put better guides inside once I get new enclosure!

Here are some links to the things you need --- your IR gun is good to have but it cannot read off of certain materials and one is a hammock -- digital probes are the most accurate - your UVB your using now is good its just that its not strong enough for reptiles - and you want one that is a good length for a 40 + gallon tank and bigger - if you go w/ a 75-120 gallon that 24" fixture is good for those
24" Zoo Med https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/fixtures/products/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-hood this will come w/ a 5.0 bulb like you have keep it for a back / up / spare - the distance for the T 5 bulb is going to be different from the 5.0 bulb and placement will be determined by your screen you have
22" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...d-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5?variant=26907418591332
or this one 24" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...-12-uvb-bulb-with-hood?variant=39549895475242
these are good fixtures and bulbs --- please post back on here when you get it and I will help you place if for your tank your screen will determine placement and distance
2 of these https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...meters-1/products/zoo-med-digital-thermometer one for the cool side and one for the basking side you want basking temps 95-100
basking bulbs -- I have recently switched over to Flukers but have not installed them yet - currently using Exo Terra Intense basking bulbs - the Exo Terra I was getting were either old or defective because they were dim when I turned them on so I knew they werent going to last long -- so I ordered Flukers and am going to try those out -
you want the T 8 your using unobstructed and no clear plastic cover over the bulb if there is one - take it off -- keep using what you have now till you get the T 5 fixture - if you can take the screen off your tank is fine have it go width wise or get it inside the tank --- I would take the screen and set it 3/4 on having the UVB fixture going width wise on one end of the tank and the screen butted up to it place your basking bulb next to it so you have one area of basking --- if you haft to use 2 pieces of decor
Look at your home improvement store or Walmart for some shelf liner

textured NON adhesive shelf liner - Walmart.com

textured NON adhesive shelf liner - Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

these are easy to clean and more sanitary
You dont need the ceramic heat emitter CHE at night unless your tank is falling below 65 -- dragons like cool and dark - the digital probe thermometer is going to tell you those night time temps - place it on the cool side of the tank and the other on the basking side --
you want a digital probe hygrometer as well
https://dubiaroaches.com/products/z...er-humidity-gauge?_pos=1&_sid=50e0aba0a&_ss=r I get my feeders and horn worms from here they are good people to work w/
If you have any more questions please ask I will help you

 

[crystallynda]

Here are some links to the things you need --- your IR gun is good to have but it cannot read off of certain materials and one is a hammock -- digital probes are the most accurate - your UVB your using now is good its just that its not strong enough for reptiles - and you want one that is a good length for a 40 + gallon tank and bigger - if you go w/ a 75-120 gallon that 24" fixture is good for those
24" Zoo Med https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/fixtures/products/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-hood this will come w/ a 5.0 bulb like you have keep it for a back / up / spare - the distance for the T 5 bulb is going to be different from the 5.0 bulb and placement will be determined by your screen you have
22" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...d-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5?variant=26907418591332
or this one 24" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...-12-uvb-bulb-with-hood?variant=39549895475242
these are good fixtures and bulbs --- please post back on here when you get it and I will help you place if for your tank your screen will determine placement and distance
2 of these https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...meters-1/products/zoo-med-digital-thermometer one for the cool side and one for the basking side you want basking temps 95-100
basking bulbs -- I have recently switched over to Flukers but have not installed them yet - currently using Exo Terra Intense basking bulbs - the Exo Terra I was getting were either old or defective because they were dim when I turned them on so I knew they werent going to last long -- so I ordered Flukers and am going to try those out -
you want the T 8 your using unobstructed and no clear plastic cover over the bulb if there is one - take it off -- keep using what you have now till you get the T 5 fixture - if you can take the screen off your tank is fine have it go width wise or get it inside the tank --- I would take the screen and set it 3/4 on having the UVB fixture going width wise on one end of the tank and the screen butted up to it place your basking bulb next to it so you have one area of basking --- if you haft to use 2 pieces of decor
Look at your home improvement store or Walmart for some shelf liner

textured NON adhesive shelf liner - Walmart.com

textured NON adhesive shelf liner - Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

these are easy to clean and more sanitary
You dont need the ceramic heat emitter CHE at night unless your tank is falling below 65 -- dragons like cool and dark - the digital probe thermometer is going to tell you those night time temps - place it on the cool side of the tank and the other on the basking side --
you want a digital probe hygrometer as well
https://dubiaroaches.com/products/z...er-humidity-gauge?_pos=1&_sid=50e0aba0a&_ss=r I get my feeders and horn worms from here they are good people to work w/
If you have any more questions please ask I will help you

Yicks a lot of information lol

She’s currently outdoors!

Also is what I have below good too? I bought two!

 

[Sadie]

Yicks a lot of information lol

She’s currently outdoors!

Also is what I have below good too? I bought two!

That's good for ambient temps only-- it's good you have been supplementing the uvb rays outside- it's great for him since he's not getting it in the tank+ sorry about all the info but I was answering all your questions/ request he looks good and it looks like his tail is going to shed

 

[crystallynda]

That's good for ambient temps only-- it's good you have been supplementing the uvb rays outside- it's great for him since he's not getting it in the tank+ sorry about all the info but I was answering all your questions/ request he looks good and it looks like his tail is going to shed

That’s what I figured! Another question? Since we’ll be replacing the substrate with a mat, Recommendations when she wants to dig? Also bigger enclosure examples? Cause i been looking and Idk what to get her? I also want to out wallpaper around the outside because I heard they stress! What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Sadie]

That’s what I figured! Another question? Since we’ll be replacing the substrate with a mat, Recommendations when she wants to dig? Also bigger enclosure examples? Cause i been looking and Idk what to get her? I also want to out wallpaper around the outside because I heard they stress! What are your thoughts on this?

If she becomes frantic and is digging accessibly and glass surfing then its possible shes gravid --- I can post some stuff for a dig box for you and I know of someone who is very good w/ gravid dragons- bigger enclosures can be found on FB Marketplace or Craigslist --- you can look for tanks there and I recommend ones w/ front door openings or new tanks - let me know what you want to do-- as far as backgrounds I wouldnt do anything as of yet - its usually when they see there reflections that causes this - you can use wall paper newspaper magazine pages construction paper and it needs to go on the outside of the tank - do not cover the front of the tank sides and back only--
www.zenhabitats.com https://www.zenhabitats.com/products/4x2x2-pvc-reptile-enclosures I have 2 of these
www.carolinacages.com I think you haft to go thru Amazon for this tank and I dont like the lighting system they have the basking bulb attached to the UVB fixture and you cant move it if you need to and the tank is all glass and very heavy --
www.dubiaroaches.com https://dubiaroaches.com/products/4-x2-x2-pvc-reptile-enclosure
www.symtonbsf.com https://symtonbsf.com/products/4-x2-x2-aluminum-reptile-enclosure

 

[crystallynda]

If she becomes frantic and is digging accessibly and glass surfing then its possible shes gravid --- I can post some stuff for a dig box for you and I know of someone who is very good w/ gravid dragons- bigger enclosures can be found on FB Marketplace or Craigslist --- you can look for tanks there and I recommend ones w/ front door openings or new tanks - let me know what you want to do-- as far as backgrounds I wouldnt do anything as of yet - its usually when they see there reflections that causes this - you can use wall paper newspaper magazine pages construction paper and it needs to go on the outside of the tank - do not cover the front of the tank sides and back only--
www.zenhabitats.com https://www.zenhabitats.com/products/4x2x2-pvc-reptile-enclosures I have 2 of these
www.carolinacages.com I think you haft to go thru Amazon for this tank and I dont like the lighting system they have the basking bulb attached to the UVB fixture and you cant move it if you need to and the tank is all glass and very heavy --
www.dubiaroaches.com https://dubiaroaches.com/products/4-x2-x2-pvc-reptile-enclosure
www.symtonbsf.com https://symtonbsf.com/products/4-x2-x2-aluminum-reptile-enclosure

I actually prefer the two doors in front! However price tag is my biggest thing!

I really want the best for the beardie!
She likes digging a lot! More of why I decided to out her in the bark! Though someone suggested to use coco coir and a part play sand after cleaning for a substrate! Definitely need to get creative here because she was on a mat before and I don’t think she was to found of one especially because she would slip constantly!

 

[Sadie]

I actually prefer the two doors in front! However price tag is my biggest thing!

I really want the best for the beardie!
She likes digging a lot! More of why I decided to out her in the bark! Though someone suggested to use coco coir and a part play sand after cleaning for a substrate! Definitely need to get creative here because she was on a mat before and I don’t think she was to found of one especially because she would slip constantly!

You can set up a dig box in her bigger tank - I will post some stuff for you tomorrow - you want textured shelf liner I posted Walmarts site for you to look + no coconut substrate or crushed walnut they are toxic to dragons

 

[crystallynda]

You can set up a dig box in her bigger tank - I will post some stuff for you tomorrow - you want textured shelf liner I posted Walmarts site for you to look + no coconut substrate or crushed walnut they are toxic to dragons

Interesting I didn’t know! With mats though..putting hides is gonna be a challenge without anything to support? Her stick too wont stay! Any suggestions? Do you think ripped news paper be better? Suggestions here? Cause shes been on a mat before! Someone even suggested specific flooring instead for the bedding!!

 

[Sadie]

Interesting I didn’t know! With mats though..putting hides is gonna be a challenge without anything to support? Her stick too wont stay! Any suggestions? Do you think ripped news paper be better? Suggestions here? Cause shes been on a mat before! Someone even suggested specific flooring instead for the bedding!!

I guess I don't understand about hides or decor your talking about- the decor she has now will sit on the shelf liner- textured slated ceramic tile is another option+ I will post one of my tanks in the morning- I would wait on the tile tho till you get the bigger tank- for now you can use paper towels

 

[crystallynda]

I guess I don't understand about hides or decor your talking about- the decor she has now will sit on the shelf liner- textured slated ceramic tile is another option+ I will post one of my tanks in the morning- I would wait on the tile tho till you get the bigger tank- for now you can use paper towels

Oh ok cool thanks

 

[Sadie]

I would check Pet Smart for some nice dragon decor - they have decor that is easy to wash - the piece Blaze is on came from there

 

[crystallynda]

I would check Pet Smart for some nice dragon decor - they have decor that is easy to wash - the piece Blaze is on came from there

nteresting! What did you do to hang the UVB inside enclosure?

 

[Sadie]

nteresting! What did you do to hang the UVB inside enclosure?

Well I was using some stuff I got from Home Depot and today my UVB fell in the tank - didnt break and it didnt hit Blaze thank god --- so my husband went out to get the stuff we had before - it a thin rod made out of stainless steal -- its bendable so I am going to suggest using either these things
3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip tie-- fishing line --

 

[crystallynda]

Well I was using some stuff I got from Home Depot and today my UVB fell in the tank - didnt break and it didnt hit Blaze thank god --- so my husband went out to get the stuff we had before - it a thin rod made out of stainless steal -- its bendable so I am going to suggest using either these things
3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip tie-- fishing line --

Uh…