Stunted growth? Parasites?

[Bluesky1019]

So recently I have been posting a lot on all forums about my Beardie but I have been obsessing over him and stressing out that hes not healthy. My biggest concern is that he has stunted growth and does not gain weight. I first thought it was parasites but he got tested a few weeks ago and they said he didn’t have. I’m not sure if they actually did the test, becuase I was not allowed in the room. I might be paranoid but his poop is very runny and he doesn’t seem to be the proper length for an about 12 month old Beardie. Hes about 16 inches but seems to be skinny (Picture Included). is there another reason for this? He also doesn’t poop as frequently as I would like. If his growth is stunted , will I be able to make sure he grows and is healthy?

 

[Sadie]

So recently I have been posting a lot on all forums about my Beardie but I have been obsessing over him and stressing out that hes not healthy. My biggest concern is that he has stunted growth and does not gain weight. I first thought it was parasites but he got tested a few weeks ago and they said he didn’t have. I’m not sure if they actually did the test, becuase I was not allowed in the room. I might be paranoid but his poop is very runny and he doesn’t seem to be the proper length for an about 12 month old Beardie. Hes about 16 inches but seems to be skinny (Picture Included). is there another reason for this? He also doesn’t poop as frequently as I would like. If his growth is stunted , will I be able to make sure he grows and is healthy?

He looks good -- dragons grow at their own rates -- as long as your basking temps are 95-100 and you have good UVB NO coils and the UVB is properly placed in the tank you are good - if your unsure about the placement of the UVB please tell me and I can help you - his diet is salads a staple insect feeder w/ some worms thrown in there you should be good --- if his poop is runny are you feeding alot of peppers? squash? fruit w/ high water content same w/ veggies ? NO iceberg lettuce! Romaine is fine -- he does not look stunted

 

[Bluesky1019]

He looks good -- dragons grow at their own rates -- as long as your basking temps are 95-100 and you have good UVB NO coils and the UVB is properly placed in the tank you are good - if your unsure about the placement of the UVB please tell me and I can help you - his diet is salads a staple insect feeder w/ some worms thrown in there you should be good --- if his poop is runny are you feeding alot of peppers? squash? fruit w/ high water content same w/ veggies ? NO iceberg lettuce! Romaine is fine -- he does not look stunted

He does eat alot of peppers and raspberries but I’m not sure it would be enough to Cuase such runny poop. He has been a bit picky when it come to salads lately so I’m not sure what the reason is for the runny poop. He eats kale and various collard greens. My other concern is how bad the smell is. It is hazardous! And I’m glad he’s not stunted!!

 

[Sadie]

He does eat alot of peppers and raspberries but I’m not sure it would be enough to Cuase such runny poop. He has been a bit picky when it come to salads lately so I’m not sure what the reason is for the runny poop. He eats kale and various collard greens. My other concern is how bad the smell is. It is hazardous! And I’m glad he’s not stunted!!

You need to take a fecal in and have it tested- it sounds like parasites- the dragon does not need to go in-- call your reptile vet and tell them you want to drop off a fecal for parasite/ worms test-- NO ENEMAS!
www.arav.org to find a reptile vet

 

[Bluesky1019]

You need to take a fecal in and have it tested- it sounds like parasites- the dragon does not need to go in-- call your reptile vet and tell them you want to drop off a fecal for parasite/ worms test-- NO ENEMAS!
www.arav.org to find a reptile vet

But he got tested two weeks ago and he was all good. And this promblems sometimes happend even before the vet? Could the vet have missed seeing this?

 

[Sadie]

But he got tested two weeks ago and he was all good. And this promblems sometimes happend even before the vet? Could the vet have missed seeing this?

Can you take it to another vet for retesting? I am not sure --- it is a sign of parasites w/ the runny poop and smell-- post a pic of the poop and tell me your UVB- are you using a T 5 and is it in the tank?

 

[Bluesky1019]

Can you take it to another vet for retesting? I am not sure --- it is a sign of parasites w/ the runny poop and smell-- post a pic of the poop and tell me your UVB- are you using a T 5 and is it in the tank?

I am using a T5 and it’s in the tank here’s a pic of the poop. This was 2 days ago. I believe the small part of that bug is a BSFL

 

[Sadie]

I am using a T5 and it’s in the tank here’s a pic of the poop. This was 2 days ago. I believe the small part of that bug is a BSFL

Ok undigested insects is telling me his basking temps are not high enough--- what are they and how are you taking them? No stick ons they are inaccurate-- please use a digital probe thermometer- place on the basking decor where he sits wait 10 minutes get temp- you want a bright white basking bulb no off white or yellowish color- your distance for the T is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

 

[Bluesky1019]

Ok undigested insects is telling me his basking temps are not high enough--- what are they and how are you taking them? No stick ons they are inaccurate-- please use a digital probe thermometer- place on the basking decor where he sits wait 10 minutes get temp- you want a bright white basking bulb no off white or yellowish color- your distance for the T is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

Heat seems to be a problem for me becuase it seems to only reach 95. But at the same time it really depends on the outside temperature , on days where it’s hot his tank will be 100 to 102 but on rainy cold days it will only get to about 94. The lamp I’m using the 100w intense basking spot. I have tried the 150w version but I think it was too hot for him becuase he was never by his basking spot.

 

[Sadie]

Heat seems to be a problem for me becuase it seems to only reach 95. But at the same time it really depends on the outside temperature , on days where it’s hot his tank will be 100 to 102 but on rainy cold days it will only get to about 94. The lamp I’m using the 100w intense basking spot. I have tried the 150w version but I think it was too hot for him becuase he was never by his basking spot.

Ok- try it again and get your probe get the temp - watch the behavior you have one spot he basks? You might want to invest in a piece of decor that offers different gradient heat temps- I can post a piece that I use tomorrow

 

[Skybug]

The poop looks normal, if it was completely a puddle, then id worry, any amount of fruit will give them loose stool, (especially berries) (sometimes they just smell bad) (i mean it is poo after all) , ur guy is 12 months you say? Hes still got another year to grow, usually they get all their length in in the first 9-12 months then gain all their weight during year 2, your beardy looks fine to me, he could be fatter, but hes not skinnier either, he’s definitely not stunted, if he was his tail would be short, he would have a smushed face, he’d just be alot smaller overall, 15-20 inches is pretty average (especially since most bearded dragon owners dont take care if their bearded dragons tails and tail rot causes most peoples dragons to be “shorter”)

 

[Sadie]

Ok- try it again and get your probe get the temp - watch the behavior you have one spot he basks? You might want to invest in a piece of decor that offers different gradient heat temps- I can post a piece that I use tomorrow

https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-driftwood-reptile-decor-54734.html?cgid=500116

this is a great piece for giving gradient heat -- lay the long stick part on the floor of the tank w/ the big thick trunk part under the basking bulb-- he will use this piece in many different ways

 

[Bluesky1019]

The poop looks normal, if it was completely a puddle, then id worry, any amount of fruit will give them loose stool, (especially berries) (sometimes they just smell bad) (i mean it is poo after all) , ur guy is 12 months you say? Hes still got another year to grow, usually they get all their length in in the first 9-12 months then gain all their weight during year 2, your beardy looks fine to me, he could be fatter, but hes not skinnier either, he’s definitely not stunted, if he was his tail would be short, he would have a smushed face, he’d just be alot smaller overall, 15-20 inches is pretty average (especially since most bearded dragon owners dont take care if their bearded dragons tails and tail rot causes most peoples dragons to be “shorter”)lThank you so much!! I was joint form

Thank you! I’m really hoping he will gain some more weight but I was always so worried he was so much smaller than other bearded dragons. And he does eat a fair amount of Rasberries.

 

[Bluesky1019]

https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitats-and-decor/habitat-decor/thrive-driftwood-reptile-decor-54734.html?cgid=500116

this is a great piece for giving gradient heat -- lay the long stick part on the floor of the tank w/ the big thick trunk part under the basking bulb-- he will use this piece in many different ways

I got this today at pet smart, thank you for the previous reccomemdion. It seems to heat up nicely without hurting his underbelly. I’m just nervous that he’s too close to the heat now. Thé heat is above the tank But probably only 6-8 inches, I can post a pic Tommorow.

 

[Sadie]

I got this today at pet smart, thank you for the previous reccomemdion. It seems to heat up nicely without hurting his underbelly. I’m just nervous that he’s too close to the heat now. Thé heat is above the tank But probably only 6-8 inches, I can post a pic Tommorow.

Place the probe on the top and see what you get for a temp --- if its too hot over 110 down size the wattage