Urgent beardie help

[jessy23]

About 6 years ago I got my beardie, and since he was a juvenile he has been eating like a monster. He would chase around crickets all day and never let one last more than a few seconds. He has been this way until a few months ago, where I realized he was closing one eye, however was still eating. The past few months leading to now, he has been struggling to keep either eyes open and has stopped eating. About 3 weeks ago I bought him different things other than crickets, such as tomato worms, roaches, and wax worms. He ate one of each and has not eaten since. His weight has declined like crazy, he is so lethargic now and I am getting so scared.

I just wanna say I do plan on taking him to the vet, hopefully by or before the weekend, it's just I have never been to these types of vets and have been struggling to find one.

Nothing about his setup has changed, however I did make the stupid mistake of listening to the store and buying him that calcium bearded dragon sand substrate. I only recently learned how terrible it is for beardies, and the high chance of impaction they can get from it, and have cleared it out since the couple of months I noticed him getting weaker.

Does anybody know what this could be or had similar experiences? I am so anxious and want him to be okay for the next few days until I can get him checked out.

 

[Sadie]

About 6 years ago I got my beardie, and since he was a juvenile he has been eating like a monster. He would chase around crickets all day and never let one last more than a few seconds. He has been this way until a few months ago, where I realized he was closing one eye, however was still eating. The past few months leading to now, he has been struggling to keep either eyes open and has stopped eating. About 3 weeks ago I bought him different things other than crickets, such as tomato worms, roaches, and wax worms. He ate one of each and has not eaten since. His weight has declined like crazy, he is so lethargic now and I am getting so scared.

I just wanna say I do plan on taking him to the vet, hopefully by or before the weekend, it's just I have never been to these types of vets and have been struggling to find one.

Nothing about his setup has changed, however I did make the stupid mistake of listening to the store and buying him that calcium bearded dragon sand substrate. I only recently learned how terrible it is for beardies, and the high chance of impaction they can get from it, and have cleared it out since the couple of months I noticed him getting weaker.

Does anybody know what this could be or had similar experiences? I am so anxious and want him to be okay for the next few days until I can get him checked out.

Please tell me what your using for a uvb no coils please basking temps what are they need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- eye issues are usually attributed to coils or daytime basking bulbs- you want surface temps for basking-

 

[jessy23]

Please tell me what your using for a uvb no coils please basking temps what are they need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- eye issues are usually attributed to coils or daytime basking bulbs- you want surface temps for basking-

I am using the zilla desert UBV light I got from Petco. His basking side is usually between 85-90 and his cooling side is about 70. I use the Imagitarium thermometer also from Petco.

 

[Sadie]

I am using the zilla desert UBV light I got from Petco. His basking side is usually between 85-90 and his cooling side is about 70. I use the Imagitarium thermometer also from Petco.

The uvb needs to have no clear cover over the fixture bulb should not be over 6 months- placed inside the tank directly over the basking decor 6-8 inches-- basking surface temps should be 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- if the imagatarium is a probe your good -- cool side of the tank should be 80's during the day- please make the changes and watch his behavior- if the tank is 40+ gallon I recommend you upgrade your uvb to a 24" fixture a Zoo med or a Arcadia pro T 5 if you want links to those I will send them

 

[jessy23]

The uvb needs to have no clear cover over the fixture bulb should not be over 6 months- placed inside the tank directly over the basking decor 6-8 inches-- basking surface temps should be 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- if the imagatarium is a probe your good -- cool side of the tank should be 80's during the day- please make the changes and watch his behavior- if the tank is 40+ gallon I recommend you upgrade your uvb to a 24" fixture a Zoo med or a Arcadia pro T 5 if you want links to those I will send them

Ok thanks so much for the tips, and yes can you please send me the links. My tank is 40 gallons, so I find it a bit difficult to get it to 100. The heat lamp and UVB light is on top of the tank, but I removed the branch and hammock as I got scared he would fall off and hurt himself. He still has his rock to bask. Should I put them back?

 

[Sadie]

Ok thanks so much for the tips, and yes can you please send me the links. My tank is 40 gallons, so I find it a bit difficult to get it to 100. The heat lamp and UVB light is on top of the tank, but I removed the branch and hammock as I got scared he would fall off and hurt himself. He still has his rock to bask. Should I put them back?

Show me your tank please -- https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...o-med-reptisun-t5-hood?variant=26907425734756 this comes w/a 5.0 bulb keep it for back up distance and placement is different from the bulb you want 22" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...y-vapor/products/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5 or this one https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle.../products/arcadia-prot5-12-uvb-bulb-with-hood please get this as soon as you can then post when you get it so I can help.you place it in your tank it depends on your screen+ what wattage of basking bulb and what brand

 

[jessy23]

Show me your tank please -- https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...o-med-reptisun-t5-hood?variant=26907425734756 this comes w/a 5.0 bulb keep it for back up distance and placement is different from the bulb you want 22" https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...y-vapor/products/zoo-med-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5 or this one https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle.../products/arcadia-prot5-12-uvb-bulb-with-hood please get this as soon as you can then post when you get it so I can help.you place it in your tank it depends on your screen+ what wattage of basking bulb and what brand

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-reptisun-t8-100-uvb-lamp Is this one okay too? I want something I can pickup from a store, rather than wait for the shipping. If so I will pick it up tomorrow. Also, I will send a picture of the setup as soon as I can.

 

[Sadie]

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-reptisun-t8-100-uvb-lamp Is this one okay too? I want something I can pickup from a store, rather than wait for the shipping. If so I will pick it up tomorrow. Also, I will send a picture of the setup as soon as I can.

Most pet stores only sell T 8's- check your stores for what I posted- PetSmart has been selling the Arcadia's in-store but do not order from them go w/ Pangaea they will ship out next day and ship FedEx-

 

[jessy23]

Most pet stores only sell T 8's- check your stores for what I posted- PetSmart has been selling the Arcadia's in-store but do not order from them go w/ Pangaea they will ship out next day and ship FedEx-

I ordered the T5 Arcadia like you suggested and got overnight shipping, it is supposed to be coming in later tonight. I will send the setup when I get home. Vet appointments are not until mid-May, but I took him to an exotic pet store. They said he's way too thin and dehydrated, and sold me Repta-boost powder, told me to force feed him tomato worms, and electrolytes to soak in. Do you think this is good?

 

[Sadie]

I ordered the T5 Arcadia like you suggested and got overnight shipping, it is supposed to be coming in later tonight. I will send the setup when I get home. Vet appointments are not until mid-May, but I took him to an exotic pet store. They said he's way too thin and dehydrated, and sold me Repta-boost powder, told me to force feed him tomato worms, and electrolytes to soak in. Do you think this is good?

The hornworms are a good hydrating worm-- did he tell you how to mix the electrolyte soaks-? I have heard of them but never done them -- When you get the arcadia in please post back on here and I will help you get it placed for your tank -- placement will depend on your screen

 

[jessy23]

The hornworms are a good hydrating worm-- did he tell you how to mix the electrolyte soaks-? I have heard of them but never done them -- When you get the arcadia in please post back on here and I will help you get it placed for your tank -- placement will depend on your screen

No nothing about the electrolyte soaks, no directions either so I just winged it and added like a scoop. This is his tank, it is a 40 gallon exo terra. I removed most of his plants, hammocks, and decor out of fear he would fall or crickets would hide, just in case he ever decides to eat them.

 

[Gjwo]

Until she replies all I know is make sure you get that new uvb light inside the tank not on top of the screen, as the screen blocks the light and make sure it is placed so he is getting the rays of it while in his basking area. It should be around 12 inches above him I believe but she posted the information about it earlier in this thread. Make sure you get the light unobstructed on him! I’m not a vet everything I have said I’ve learned from the internet Sadie is your best bet she’s been very helpful for me. Trying to help out as urgently as you need.

 

[jessy23]

Until she replies all I know is make sure you get that new uvb light inside the tank not on top of the screen, as the screen blocks the light and make sure it is placed so he is getting the rays of it while in his basking area. It should be around 12 inches above him I believe but she posted the information about it earlier in this thread. Make sure you get the light unobstructed on him! I’m not a vet everything I have said I’ve learned from the internet Sadie is your best bet she’s been very helpful for me. Trying to help out as urgently as you need.

Thank you so much for the tips. I am aware it is supposed to be inside the tank, Sadie says she will help guide me in how I can do that, as I never knew prior. If you have suggestions, please let me know.

 

[Gjwo]

Thank you so much for the tips. I am aware it is supposed to be inside the tank, Sadie says she will help guide me in how I can do that, as I never knew prior. If you have suggestions, please let me know.

I’ve seen some people using zip ties but I know they sell a kit to install the Arcadia t5 inside on the top of the viv, my set up I’ve cut a hole in the top screen of my viv but I’m not sure the light would be close enough to your beardie then. If you can until she gets back to you just leave one side of the screen open that might work too.

 

[Gjwo]

Best of luck hope you hear from Sadie soon and can get that vet appointment as soon as possible.

 

[Sadie]

Best of luck hope you hear from Sadie soon and can get that vet appointment as soon as possible.

The Zilla UVB should be unobstructed so I would take the screen off for now along w/ any clear plastic covering off and place it across the tank from the side to the back of the tank so its sitting like this

but no screen 6-8 inches over some basking decor piece -- when is the new UVB coming in ? From the looks of the screen it will need to go inside the tank - you can use long zip ties or things like this 3M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties or this it works really good but hard to find they are like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around the fixture https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
If that Zilla will fit width wise across the tank next to your screen w / it being placed half way on the tank you can do that too -- I wasnt sure if the UVB was long enough to fit width wise that is why I said to put it the I showed in the pic - try and get the basking light sitting next to the Zilla on one end of the tank for now -- when your Arcadia comes in let me know

 

[jessy23]

The Zilla UVB should be unobstructed so I would take the screen off for now along w/ any clear plastic covering off and place it across the tank from the side to the back of the tank so its sitting like this
View attachment 31933
but no screen 6-8 inches over some basking decor piece -- when is the new UVB coming in ? From the looks of the screen it will need to go inside the tank - you can use long zip ties or things like this 3M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties or this it works really good but hard to find they are like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around the fixture https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
If that Zilla will fit width wise across the tank next to your screen w / it being placed half way on the tank you can do that too -- I wasnt sure if the UVB was long enough to fit width wise that is why I said to put it the I showed in the pic - try and get the basking light sitting next to the Zilla on one end of the tank for now -- when your Arcadia comes in let me know

Oh no that is the arcadia UVB light, it is behind the heat lamp. I threw the zilla one away somewhere, as I never knew the hood would affect him. So you think it is best to leave the tank half open? Because I do not see how I can place it inside the tank with the wire. The Home Depot link says the product is unavailable. I also want to get better substrate as I hate the current wax paper he is on, and I feel tiles are too cold. Will reptiles carpets be good for him?

 

[Sadie]

Oh no that is the arcadia UVB light, it is behind the heat lamp. I threw the zilla one away somewhere, as I never knew the hood would affect him. So you think it is best to leave the tank half open? Because I do not see how I can place it inside the tank with the wire. The Home Depot link says the product is unavailable. I also want to get better substrate as I hate the current wax paper he is on, and I feel tiles are too cold. Will reptiles carpets be good for him?

Sorry -- I wasnt aware that it had come in -- so where is it now? top of screen? You can leave it on top if you have it unobstructed and the dragon cant get out --- You can use some of the other things then that I posted if you end up having to get it inside the tank ---12-15 inches -- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner cut it to the size of the tank - you can find that in Walmart or your local home improvement store -- let me know how things are going w/ him --

 

[jessy23]

Sorry -- I wasnt aware that it had come in -- so where is it now? top of screen? You can leave it on top if you have it unobstructed and the dragon cant get out --- You can use some of the other things then that I posted if you end up having to get it inside the tank ---12-15 inches -- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner cut it to the size of the tank - you can find that in Walmart or your local home improvement store -- let me know how things are going w/ him --

Still struggling to keep the UVB inside, I had thought about keeping the top half open but am really scared about that. Can I keep it on top if I add more decor so he is very high up and can possibly bask better? I have been feeding him the reptaboost through the syringe, I also gave some wax worms. I cannot seem to force feed him the tomato worms as they're too big. He is still extremely thin and has a bony tail, but I am hoping progress is made. Last night he finally seemed to have the energy to fight back and bite the syringe I'm feeding him in, I hope this is a good sign.

 

[Sadie]

Still struggling to keep the UVB inside, I had thought about keeping the top half open but am really scared about that. Can I keep it on top if I add more decor so he is very high up and can possibly bask better? I have been feeding him the reptaboost through the syringe, I also gave some wax worms. I cannot seem to force feed him the tomato worms as they're too big. He is still extremely thin and has a bony tail, but I am hoping progress is made. Last night he finally seemed to have the energy to fight back and bite the syringe I'm feeding him in, I hope this is a good sign.

Ok cut your horn worms in half-- for your screen take the screen and but it up to the UVB fixture w/ it sitting on the very end of the tank w/ it going width wise --- then take the basking light and put it up next to the UVB fixture -- make sure your basking piece is directly under the basking decor 12-15 inches -- your screen is going to block 30% of the rays you dont want that now - he is too thin and the UVB rays are unobstructed -- make sure your keeping him hydrated w/ the food your feeding him -- you can use those horn worms in the slurry your feeding him -