Help Please!!

[flynstone]

I bought a 2-3 months old bearded dragon 4 days ago, he hasn't eat since I got it, turns out pet shop owner told me to leave light on 24 hours a day(so it has been on past 4 days, just read online youre supposed to close it at night :S), he actually also told me sand was good for bottom cage since its got calcium... I think he is dying hes not moving anymore is there anything I could to to save it? I have removed sand today and put green carpet. I am furious at myself for not watching online and see how to take care of it and believe that guy... Please, please, please tell me theres something I can do! thanks for the help

 

[drzebra]

If you fear for your dragon's life, it's time to get him to a veterinarian.

 

[PatsyB]

Unfortunately, if this his how the guy told you to take care of him then he may already be too far gone. I would get him to a vet to have him checked out as soon as you can. In the meantime you can give him a nice warm bath to help hydrate him. I suspect being under a light for the last 4 days (and possibly his whole life) he's pretty dehydrated. Just make sure you hold him and don't let his head drop in the water. He may start to drink on his own and that's good. If he doesn't you can always drip a little bit of water on his nose and he may lick it off.

Is the light you are using a heat light? He needs a basking spot light and a UVB light. The UVB mimics natural sunlight and helps him process D3. Get him on a light cycle of 12 hours on and 12 hours off or 14 on and 10 off. Temps in his basking spot should be about 110 and 80-85 on his cool side. Night time total temp should not drop below 65 degrees.

There's so much more to learn, I just can't think of everything right at the moment. Search around the forum and take everything in. We all have lots of good information on how to get and keep a healthy bearded dragon. Hopefully it's not to late for your little guy

 

[flynstone]

I will first thing in the morning, they are closed at this time in my area... I just hope he survives till than... I am seriously mad at myself for not studying what it needed before and believing that pet shop owner...

 

[flynstone]

I gave him a bath, he responded to it opened his mouth got his tongue out.. first response ever from him than started drinking, unfortunately that was yesterday (and yesterday instead of coming online to check it up I asked him again, and his answere was it can take up to a week before he eats or moves) today I tried again but he didn't react at all doesn't move. I bought a UVB light wich according to owner wasn't needed but havnt turned it on yet I turned lights off instead wich is better you think UVB or no light at this point?

 

[PatsyB]

We all have made mistakes along the way. It's exciting to get a new pet but really important to research as much as we can before we bring them home. Stores are just looking for a sale and will tell you anything to get you to buy. In this case it sounds like this guy really misled you, he didn't know how to take care of a bearded dragon and tried to pass it on to someone else.

Coming into a new home can be stressful so it is normal for them to not eat for a few days but that is under normal circumstances. Yes, you need a UVB, I would just wait at this point and turn it on in the morning. Not sure where you are but it's night time here and you want him to get used to a day/night schedule.

 

[flynstone]

Ok thank you very much, yes it is night time here also, and yes he had a basking spot light on for all that time, tomorrow morning I will put the UVB and hope for the best, if I see he's not better ill of course bring him to the vet

 

[RaidenMarshall]

He'll need both a UVB and a bulb for basking, and make sure to try and get it above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The water dish isnt a necessity and might even cause the humidity to be too much if its close to the basking area. He can stay plenty hydrated through his food and baths.

 

[flynstone]

this is my set up

 

[drzebra]

That enclosure is ok for now, but very soon you're going to need a much larger one. 40 gallon breeder at a minimum. Floor space is more important than height.

 

[PatsyB]

How is he doing this morning?

 

[flynstone]

he's moving more still slept most of the day but his head is up, he seems better than yesterday for sure, but he still hasn't ate..

 

[misskatie]

it may even be that he is kinda going through a lot a new home and some health bumps along the way and he may just need some time to ""settle"" in...what are you offering him to eat???

 

[flynstone]

I have tried many things crickets small and medium size, meal worms, cabbage, carrot, melon.. hopping he will eat today...

 

[PatsyB]

Cabbage is another thing that isn'g good to feed them. It blocks the absorption of calcium. Go to the web site www.beautifuldragons.com and look up nutrition. There is a great chart there that will tell you all the things that are good and not good to feed them.

Sounds like he is on a better track. He's been through a lot so it's possible like misskatie said that he is going through some rehoming stress. Also, he is going to grow fast so start looking around now for a proper enclosure for him. Sometimes Petsmart has a great deal on Exoterra tanks and sometimes you can find them on Craigslist for next to nothing.

 

[flynstone]

I already have a larger tank i just read its easier for him to get his food in smaller tank for his size? Or should i put him in the larger one now?

 

[PatsyB]

It's up to you. I put both of mine in their big tank right from the beginning and never had any problems. The bigger tank gives them more room to run around and burn off energy.

 

[misskatie]

Petco too even has a dollar gallon sale every now and then lots of options

 

[flynstone]

thanks for all the advice hes getting a lot better now he's moving around, and he finally ate today I broke I leg of a cricket while putting it in the cage this morning he ate that one fast enough d didn't eat the other on when I noticed it I broke a leg on another one and he ate it I guess maybe he didn't have enough energy to chase them? I will try again tomorrow without breaking and see what happens.. but I guess for now if I need to break them for him to its ok...

 

[ilovebeardies]

Also you might try putting a little turkey baby food thinned with water, on plate or something easily accessible. It works great for an appetite stimulator and help give him some protein if he's weak.