What's wrong with my dragon?

[Whatthekangaroo]

I got this dragon from a friend last year and ever since I haven't been able to get it more active, I was thinking maybe it was a respiratory infection or somthing but I have never had a dragon before so I wasn't sure, the dragon just sits there and barely moves through the day, only opens eyes when I soak em or spray em, and they won't eat unless I pretty much shove it infront of them and even then they don't always. Also colors are very dull.

 

[HoomanSlave]

The poor thing is definitely looking unhealthy, hopefully we can get to the bottom of this. What are your enclosure temps and humidity and what are you using to take them? What lights are you using? Please go over the diet and the supplements you use.
Can you get a photo of the beardie's poop?

What is the substrate you're using? The layer of substrate looks a bit thin in the picture, you might need it to be a few more inches deep.

The best thing to do is to go see a reputable exotic vet. https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

The humidity is at 50% in-between moderate and semitropical, and the heat is at 80 degrees

 

[HoomanSlave]

The humidity is at 50% in-between moderate and semitropical, and the heat is at 80 degrees

Is the 80 degrees for the basking spot or for a different part of the enclosure?

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

Is the 80 degrees for the basking spot or for a different part of the enclosure?

Basking spot

 

[HoomanSlave]

Basking spot

That's too cold for a beardie. Try using a higher wattage bulb or raising the basking spot to increase it to around 100 degrees. Cool temperatures are definitely contributing to your dragon's health issues, UVB and diet may also be factors.

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

That's too cold for a beardie. Try using a higher wattage bulb or raising the basking spot to increase it to around 100 degrees. Cool temperatures are definitely contributing to your dragon's health issues, UVB and diet may also be factors.

Ok I'll try to figure that out, it's a but away from the bulb so I'll put it closer just to be sure, but also I was wondering if you know any places that will take dragons, according to what my friend said it has always been like this (and that's awful) if I can't figure this out I don't want it to keep suffering, so maybe there are places that will take em and know what to do

 

[Beardomania]

Ok I'll try to figure that out, it's a but away from the bulb so I'll put it closer just to be sure, but also I was wondering if you know any places that will take dragons, according to what my friend said it has always been like this (and that's awful) if I can't figure this out I don't want it to keep suffering, so maybe there are places that will take em and know what to do

Also, your humidity seems a bit high. Take out water sources in his tank. I recommend you get a mercury vapor bulb; I use a $17 125W Vivosun from eBay but if you pay $20, you can get it by Prime shipping on Amazon. That will take care of your temps and UVB. After that, when he warms up and becomes hungry, you'll need to fatten him up so I recommend bulk Superworms (normally I recommend Rainbow Mealworms but they are out of large now, only 1,000 medium for $15 plus shipping which is still not bad) and bulk black soldier fly larvae (Grubterra has the best prices) to fatten him up. I assume you are familiar with the need for Calcium and Herptivite supplementation. Feed him as much as he will eat, maybe twice a day or more. His pelvic bones are very obvious and his limbs skinny, indicating malnourishment.

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

Also, your humidity seems a bit high. Take out water sources in his tank. I recommend you get a mercury vapor bulb; I use a $17 125W Vivosun from eBay but if you pay $20, you can get it by Prime shipping on Amazon. That will take care of your temps and UVB. After that, when he warms up and becomes hungry, you'll need to fatten him up so I recommend bulk Superworms (normally I recommend Rainbow Mealworms but they are out of large now, only 1,000 medium for $15 plus shipping which is still not bad) and bulk black soldier fly larvae (Grubterra has the best prices) to fatten him up. I assume you are familiar with the need for Calcium and Herptivite supplementation. Feed him as much as he will eat, maybe twice a day or more. His pelvic bones are very obvious and his limbs skinny, indicating malnourishment.

I think the humidity has to do with the room it's in cause I have turtles, but about the feeding I will definitely try to fatten "her" up if I can, but in all the time I have had them she has never wanted to touch anything? I'm really just thinking it would be best for the dragon if I gave her up to some place that can help her, either way I definitely want to do what I can in the meantime! Thanks for your help it's very valuable!

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

That's too cold for a beardie. Try using a higher wattage bulb or raising the basking spot to increase it to around 100 degrees. Cool temperatures are definitely contributing to your dragon's health issues, UVB and diet may also be factors.

Moved the thermometer and it exceeds 100 degrees

 

[Broly]

The beardie has always been like that due to improper care from previous owner and yourself. Not trying to be rude but the poor thing is dying a slow death, it’s heart-breaking to see. It needs to be rescued ASAP by somebody who is willing to get everything it needs or an emergency vet visit & yourself to correct it’s living conditions right away. This condition is not normal, if you would like more help you’re in the right place and everyone can make suggestions but you will have to spend money and time to get the poor guy active again! He may never recover to full health but he could live much happier with the changes you can make and knowledge we can offer you - x

 

[Beardomania]

I think the humidity has to do with the room it's in cause I have turtles, but about the feeding I will definitely try to fatten "her" up if I can, but in all the time I have had them she has never wanted to touch anything? I'm really just thinking it would be best for the dragon if I gave her up to some place that can help her, either way I definitely want to do what I can in the meantime! Thanks for your help it's very valuable!

Like I said, first, you need to get the mercury vapor bulb. It doesn't have to be the one I mentioned but that on is cheap and it works. Once that's working, she should have an appetite. Then you fatten her up. It's not the best to keep her in a room full of water tanks. Maybe you can move her to a different room?

Yes, if she's not a good pet for your style, you should try to adopt her out.

 

[HoomanSlave]

How much does she weigh? Knowing her weight will help you figure out how much she'll need to gain. You can weigh her with a kitchen scale if you have one.

If you think the best option is to rehome her, be careful with who you offer her to. Look for somebody with experience in caring for beardies that would be able to take her to the vet and rehabilitate her, and will be equipped to deal with a beardie who may have special needs. You can probably find a good rescue center in your area that you can surrender her to, most shelters are very thorough with their interview and adoption process and will make sure she goes to a loving home.

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

The beardie has always been like that due to improper care from previous owner and yourself. Not trying to be rude but the poor thing is dying a slow death, it’s heart-breaking to see. It needs to be rescued ASAP by somebody who is willing to get everything it needs or an emergency vet visit & yourself to correct it’s living conditions right away. This condition is not normal, if you would like more help you’re in the right place and everyone can make suggestions but you will have to spend money and time to get the poor guy active again! He may never recover to full health but he could live much happier with the changes you can make and knowledge we can offer you - x

Please do help me! I want her to live the best life she can but I just don't know what is wrong with her or how long she has been this way, I live in florida and if you know of any places that would take her please let me know! And thank you for your help

 

[Broly]

Please do help me! I want her to live the best life she can but I just don't know what is wrong with her or how long she has been this way, I live in florida and if you know of any places that would take her please let me know! And thank you for your help

I live in the U.K. so I have no advice on how to re-home but if it’s not something you can do ASAP to someone who has the sufficient set up I’d suggest you order the correct UVA & UVB at the very least to make sure your beardie survives in the meantime

 

[Broly]

What UVA & UVB have you been offering since you got her?

 

[Skybug]

This is the bulb i have for my girl, please get this bulb or if you find a cheaper one link it for us so we can see, next time the bearded dragon is “awake” try and get some fluids in, drip water on nose, use a spray bottle (only spray the very front and the lips, don’t spray in nose obviously) , you can also have ur sink on very low and hold her and have the water run just over the very tip of the snout, (support the BD from chest to halfway down its tail) , can you get her out of that substrate and into something more sterile? Use paper towels? When was the last BM? What did it look like? If you can get some soft bugs to help her put on weight (hornworms,bsfl,etc) hard shell bugs might be to much on her weak system, Lighting and diet are very important, if the lights dont work then she cant digest food properly.

 

[Whatthekangaroo]

I live in the U.K. so I have no advice on how to re-home but if it’s not something you can do ASAP to someone who has the sufficient set up I’d suggest you order the correct UVA & UVB at the very least to make sure your beardie survives in the meantime

I'll do all I can and more if possible, seriously thank you for your help!

 

[Broly]

This is the bulb i have for my girl, please get this bulb or if you find a cheaper one link it for us so we can see, next time the bearded dragon is “awake” try and get some fluids in, drip water on nose, use a spray bottle (only spray the very front and the lips, don’t spray in nose obviously) , you can also have ur sink on very low and hold her and have the water run just over the very tip of the snout, (support the BD from chest to halfway down its tail) , can you get her out of that substrate and into something more sterile? Use paper towels? When was the last BM? What did it look like? If you can get some soft bugs to help her put on weight (hornworms,bsfl,etc) hard shell bugs might be to much on her weak system, Lighting and diet are very important, if the lights dont work then she cant digest food properly.

I can’t say I know anything about these bulbs, is that UVB sufficient alone or is a strip UVB recommended alongside it?

I’d deffo agree about removing that sandy substrate, cleaning over the tank with something safe for beardie and even just laying paper towel down for now would be better.

If you can’t get them right away from a pet store - order two digital probe thermometers online from somewhere with fast delivery so you can get the correct temps directly under the UVA heat bulb and one over in the cool side. Make sure your beardie has a hide too. As important as it is for your beardie to eat, without the correct lighting the food will not be digested, or even eaten.

Also do a little research and get some calcium powder and multi-vitamin too. Once your beardie is eating, it’s bugs will need to be dusted. We can offer more help with that once the lighting is correct - x

 

[Skybug]

I can’t say I know anything about these bulbs, is that UVB sufficient alone or is a strip UVB recommended alongside it?

I’d deffo agree about removing that sandy substrate, cleaning over the tank with something safe for beardie and even just laying paper towel down for now would be better.

If you can’t get them right away from a pet store - order two digital probe thermometers online from somewhere with fast delivery so you can get the correct temps directly under the UVA heat bulb and one over in the cool side. Make sure your beardie has a hide too. As important as it is for your beardie to eat, without the correct lighting the food will not be digested, or even eaten.

Also do a little research and get some calcium powder and multi-vitamin too. Once your beardie is eating, it’s bugs will need to be dusted. We can offer more help with that once the lighting is correct - x

The one bulb should be fine for now, i can tell u his beardy isn’t moving enough for him to put uvb all throughout the tank, aswell, if his lizard has been without proper lighting for a long time OP needs to ease his lizard into the light not just turn it on full blast all at once, i do have additional uvb with the mvb (i turn off my bar light halfway through the day to simulate it getting darker)