Help! - poor guy needs to be nursed back to health

[nlf218]

First of please don't make me feel worse.
My 19 year old son took a young bearded dragon off his girlfriends hands a few months ago. I agreed to let him adopt him if he took care of him ( I'm a full-time working Mom to 3 kids and a student!)
At first he seemed to take good care of him, spending time with him, feeding him etc. Recently I've noticed he hasn't been even going near him. I checked on the poor thing last night and he had no water, he's thin, very dull in color, the skin around his head is all peeled and he barely moves. He's still alive but looks like he is very neglected. I gave him some water, broccoli and bugs ( not sure what it was my son had) last night but he hasn't touched any of it.

I feel terrible that I let this happen right under my nose, but I want to help this poor guy! He deserves a better home, but in the meantime I want to do what I can to nurse him back to health.

Please help me save this poor guy. I don't know the first thing about taking care of bearded dragons and need a crash course quickly!

 

[Sadie]

First of please don't make me feel worse.
My 19 year old son took a young bearded dragon off his girlfriends hands a few months ago. I agreed to let him adopt him if he took care of him ( I'm a full-time working Mom to 3 kids and a student!)
At first he seemed to take good care of him, spending time with him, feeding him etc. Recently I've noticed he hasn't been even going near him. I checked on the poor thing last night and he had no water, he's thin, very dull in color, the skin around his head is all peeled and he barely moves. He's still alive but looks like he is very neglected. I gave him some water, broccoli and bugs ( not sure what it was my son had) last night but he hasn't touched any of it.

I feel terrible that I let this happen right under my nose, but I want to help this poor guy! He deserves a better home, but in the meantime I want to do what I can to nurse him back to health.

Please help me save this poor guy. I don't know the first thing about taking care of bearded dragons and need a crash course quickly!

Ok first thing what size tank is the dragon in? Next the UVB is crucial and basking temps-- UVB needs to be a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med or a Arcadia Pro T 5 or a Sunblaster Nano -- a 24" fixture for a 40 + gallon tank -- here are some links to these fixtures
https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...o-med-reptisun-t5-hood?variant=26907425734756 you will need this bulb for a 40+ gallon tank
22" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...d-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5?variant=26907418591332
https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/t5-lighting/products/arcadia-prot5-12-uvb-bulb-with-hood

Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO

Offering a significant increase in both visible light and UV output compared with T8 lamps of similar length. For Desert Species 12% UVB for the synthesis of vitamin D3 30% UVA Produces excellent natural colors 100%+ more visible light than equivalent length D3+ T8 lamp (un-reflected) 95% more...

www.pangeareptile.com

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp

Buy the SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp at Hydrobuilder.com. Shop the entire line of SunBlaster products along with thousands of hydroponics supplies on sale now.

hydrobuilder.com

these are all very good fixtures --
Next you need a digital probe thermometer
2 of them for each side of the tank -- Stick ons are no good or accurate basking temps -

Zoo Med Digital Thermometer

Measure the temperatures within your terrariums and reptile cages easily with this digital thermometer by Zoo Med! Order temeprature and humidity guages from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Please NO colored bulbs NO coils for UVB NO sand NO heat mats or rocks ---
Dragons do not drink from a water dish and get most of their hydration thru fresh salads - he needs this every day
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
he needs insects as well but until I know how old he is I can advise on when to feed --
I need more info about the dragon and tank and tank size so I can help you --

 

[nlf218]

Ok first thing what size tank is the dragon in? Next the UVB is crucial and basking temps-- UVB needs to be a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med or a Arcadia Pro T 5 or a Sunblaster Nano -- a 24" fixture for a 40 + gallon tank -- here are some links to these fixtures
https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...o-med-reptisun-t5-hood?variant=26907425734756 you will need this bulb for a 40+ gallon tank
22" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...d-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5?variant=26907418591332
https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/t5-lighting/products/arcadia-prot5-12-uvb-bulb-with-hood

Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO

Offering a significant increase in both visible light and UV output compared with T8 lamps of similar length. For Desert Species 12% UVB for the synthesis of vitamin D3 30% UVA Produces excellent natural colors 100%+ more visible light than equivalent length D3+ T8 lamp (un-reflected) 95% more...

www.pangeareptile.com

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp

Buy the SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp at Hydrobuilder.com. Shop the entire line of SunBlaster products along with thousands of hydroponics supplies on sale now.

hydrobuilder.com

these are all very good fixtures --
Next you need a digital probe thermometer
2 of them for each side of the tank -- Stick ons are no good or accurate basking temps -

Zoo Med Digital Thermometer

Measure the temperatures within your terrariums and reptile cages easily with this digital thermometer by Zoo Med! Order temeprature and humidity guages from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

Please NO colored bulbs NO coils for UVB NO sand NO heat mats or rocks ---
Dragons do not drink from a water dish and get most of their hydration thru fresh salads - he needs this every day
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
he needs insects as well but until I know how old he is I can advise on when to feed --
I need more info about the dragon and tank and tank size so I can help you --

My husband is going to tell to get him a new setup. Right now the tank he's in is only a 10 gallon tank. He's less than a year old, but I'm not sure exact age. He's quite small. What size tank would you recommend?

 

[Sadie]

My husband is going to tell to get him a new setup. Right now the tank he's in is only a 10 gallon tank. He's less than a year old, but I'm not sure exact age. He's quite small. What size tank would you recommend?

Ok please get him out of the 10 gallon he should not be in something that small -- even a 20 gallon for now but I am going to tell you to go big ---- once he gets his health back hes going to grow fast -- so recommended for a full size dragon is a 75-120 gallon tank --- you can look on FB marketplace or Craigslist -- you want something w/ front doors - so it easier to take care of him --- top screen enclosures are a pain in the butt w/ no doors on them --- if you happen to find something used it will need to be sanitized w/ some F 10 found in Walmarts website its spendy but its good its a concentrate and last a long time -- or some Rescue or some Zoo Meds Wipe Out all this stuff is good and good to have on hand --- if you haft to get him into a 20 gallon tote set it up w/ a bright white basking bulb NO daytime bulbs -- the have a coating on them -- a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb like a 75 watt for a 20 gallon tank / tote -- clamped on the side w/ the UVB fixture next to it going across the width of the tote -- but you MUST have the digital probe thermometer to get basking temps --- I dont know how old he is less than a year is he a juvie? Like 5-6 months or younger --- babies need temps 105-110 juvies need 95-100 --- basking decor pieces should be placed directly under the lights basking bulb NO closer than 6 inches and the UVB I recommend getting the Zoo Med its going to come w/ a 5.0 bulb use that on the 20 gallon tote but please get him out of the 10 --- it is so hard to get correct basking temps in small tanks -- and that UVB and basking temps are absolutely crucial to him ---

 

[Sadie]

Ok please get him out of the 10 gallon he should not be in something that small -- even a 20 gallon for now but I am going to tell you to go big ---- once he gets his health back hes going to grow fast -- so recommended for a full size dragon is a 75-120 gallon tank --- you can look on FB marketplace or Craigslist -- you want something w/ front doors - so it easier to take care of him --- top screen enclosures are a pain in the butt w/ no doors on them --- if you happen to find something used it will need to be sanitized w/ some F 10 found in Walmarts website its spendy but its good its a concentrate and last a long time -- or some Rescue or some Zoo Meds Wipe Out all this stuff is good and good to have on hand --- if you haft to get him into a 20 gallon tote set it up w/ a bright white basking bulb NO daytime bulbs -- the have a coating on them -- a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb like a 75 watt for a 20 gallon tank / tote -- clamped on the side w/ the UVB fixture next to it going across the width of the tote -- but you MUST have the digital probe thermometer to get basking temps --- I dont know how old he is less than a year is he a juvie? Like 5-6 months or younger --- babies need temps 105-110 juvies need 95-100 --- basking decor pieces should be placed directly under the lights basking bulb NO closer than 6 inches and the UVB I recommend getting the Zoo Med its going to come w/ a 5.0 bulb use that on the 20 gallon tote but please get him out of the 10 --- it is so hard to get correct basking temps in small tanks -- and that UVB and basking temps are absolutely crucial to him ---

Please do not listen to the pet store people they will sell you stuff you DO NOT need and the incorrect stuff -- most do not know how to care for dragons---- you need supplements to dust the staple insect he needs insects like crickets dubia roaches BSFL or silk worms - I recommend dubia roaches they are the best feeder -- those need to be dusted 5 x per week ONCE per feeding w/ calcium D3 --- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding -- can you post pic of the dragon please --- he needs water -- please drop some water on his nose to see if he will drink -- you can place him in a bath to see if he will drink if he does do NOT let him aspirate -- if he starts gulping the water pull him so it slows him down -- has he been eating? NO more broccoli please --- rinse the greens before serving he will get moisture from them --- I can post websites for insects / worms etc --- but we must get the lighting and basking temps fixed first --- it looks like you have inherited a dragon --- hes not going to live if this stuff is not corrected NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nlf218]

Thank you everyone figure your responses. This is the little guy this am when my husband gave him a bath

 

[Sadie]

Thank you everyone figure your responses. This is the little guy this am when my husband gave him a bath

Ok so he's a baby - temps need to be 105-110-+ w/ a digital probe thermometer- did he drink from the bath?

 

[nlf218]

Yes, my husband said he drank quite a bit. He said he definitely perked up a bit when he put him in the bath. He also had a pretty large poop after the bath.... So hoping that's a good sign?

Ok so he's a baby - temps need to be 105-110-+ w/ a digital probe thermometer- did he drink from the bath?

 

[Sadie]

Yes, my husband said he drank quite a bit. He said he definitely perked up a bit when he put him in the bath. He also had a pretty large poop after the bath.... So hoping that's a good sign?

yes that is a good sign --- have you fed him? Make sure your feeding insects NO bigger than the space between his eyes length wise? How is the tank situation going? Basking temps and UVB are crucial here to get him back on track - and he needs to be fed 2 times per day first thing in the morning salads w/ his staple feeder - right now his main diet is insects but you want him started on salads -- you can get him some BSFL from here www.symtonbsf.com they are a great staple feeder I would try medium DO NOT dust them add those to the tops of his salads feed as many as you want then add his staple insect -- https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
Use a bowl like this ---but to keep him eating you need those basking temps and UVB correct or he will stop eating all together ---

 

[Sadie]

Update on the dragon please

 

[nlf218]

He does seem to be doing much better. We have not moved to a larger tank yet, but my husband worked on getting the temp closer to where it needs to be. He said it was not quite there and we will need to get a different setup. He was fed some bugs last night and he ate at least two. He also was perched up on his water in his enclosure, looking around which is a remarkable difference from the day before. We still have some work to get his environment setup properly but we are doing a lot of reading and learning and hopefully we can make up for our son's lack of attention.

 

[Sadie]

He does seem to be doing much better. We have not moved to a larger tank yet, but my husband worked on getting the temp closer to where it needs to be. He said it was not quite there and we will need to get a different setup. He was fed some bugs last night and he ate at least two. He also was perched up on his water in his enclosure, looking around which is a remarkable difference from the day before. We still have some work to get his environment setup properly but we are doing a lot of reading and learning and hopefully we can make up for our son's lack of attention.

Please get him the proper uvb he needs that it's imperative- the 10 gallon tank is too small and the uvb you need the 5.0 bulb for it- or 20 gallon- he will stop eating if he does not have the correct lighting

 

[nlf218]

Update on Dougie: We were able to move him to a bigger tank over the weekend. Prior to that, last week we got the the temp in the smaller tank close to where it needed to be, bit still struggled with the environment a bit. But he seemed to be doing better and was eating 4-8 bugs several times a day (which was much more than he started with). He was also eating veg and seemed to have perked up. Moved him to the new 40 gallon tank on Sunday. Proper temps in both sides, humidity is good, uvb, Gave him a nice cave to hide in, spot to bask, we were very excited for him. All seemed to be looking up. Since we've moved him however he's pretty much stopped eating. We've tried different bugs (crickets, meal worm... can't find the dubia locally), we've tried a variety of veg and he seems to not want any of it. He just sits there when we try to get him to eat ( previously he'd eat right off tweezer) we've left him to eat it for a bit and returned to nothing touched.. ... Tonight I was able to get him to eat 2 freeze dried crickets and that's it.... My husband said he hasn't eaten all day. He tried several times earlier and tried another bath as well. Any suggestions? Does changing tanks really stress them?

 

[Sadie]

Update on Dougie: We were able to move him to a bigger tank over the weekend. Prior to that, last week we got the the temp in the smaller tank close to where it needed to be, bit still struggled with the environment a bit. But he seemed to be doing better and was eating 4-8 bugs several times a day (which was much more than he started with). He was also eating veg and seemed to have perked up. Moved him to the new 40 gallon tank on Sunday. Proper temps in both sides, humidity is good, uvb, Gave him a nice cave to hide in, spot to bask, we were very excited for him. All seemed to be looking up. Since we've moved him however he's pretty much stopped eating. We've tried different bugs (crickets, meal worm... can't find the dubia locally), we've tried a variety of veg and he seems to not want any of it. He just sits there when we try to get him to eat ( previously he'd eat right off tweezer) we've left him to eat it for a bit and returned to nothing touched.. ... Tonight I was able to get him to eat 2 freeze dried crickets and that's it.... My husband said he hasn't eaten all day. He tried several times earlier and tried another bath as well. Any suggestions? Does changing tanks really stress them?

Yes - relocation stress - as long as he's eating something he is good his appetite will pick up again just keep offering him food -- he will need to adjust and acclimate to his new tank-- thanks for the update

 

[nlf218]

Yes - relocation stress - as long as he's eating something he is good his appetite will pick up again just keep offering him food -- he will need to adjust and acclimate to his new tank-- thanks for the update

Thank You! That makes me feel a little better. We'll keep trying and hopefully he'll pick up a bit.