WHY HAS MY BEARDIE STOPPED GROWING!!!!!

[clared456]

My bearded dragon is 11 months old but seems to have stopped growing when she was 6 months old this was also the last time she shed (besides from a small amount on her nose. her weight is 188g at the moment and has been no more than 190g. her weight has been stable for over 8 weeks. she has been to the vets on a few occasions but nothing has really been found besides from some worm eggs and pesticides which were treated twice. she also had a blood test and kept in the hospital for 2 days for observation but the tests showed nothing abnormal.
beardie only really eats 1 locust a day and a few mealworms on a good day. no matter what i do i cant get her to eat salad like a normal beardie.
the temps on the tank are 75 night and 101-106 day. beardie mainly stays on the ground on occasions throughout the day will bask under the light. i have even lowered the uv bulb and replaced it a month ago. i put calcium on everything as i should. i am doing everything by the book.

Has she got an ilness or is she just the runt of the litter.

i have another beardie (female) with her and know for certain that she aint causing the problem because i got the other one only 3 months ago and beardies problems started back in october when she got a bad case of mites.

does anyone have any idea what the problem could be or is she just this size for no reason.

 

[JustaV]

I only have 1 beardie and I've only had him for a couple of months but from what I have been told mealworms are not that great for your little guy It can cause impaction and that could kill htem. Im not sure if impaction would cause them to go off feed or not and I dont know how many locust you should feed but if they were crickets it would be tons more

Sorry im not the best for help but you have come to the right place

 

[beardie_love]

What is your dragons history like? Did she used to eat a lot? Does she poop okay? Were her temps always proper? ANY background information on her would help a lot.

And I'm wondering, how long is she? Nose to tail.

 

[li]

A few questions to be answered to get an idea of what's up.

1. are you measuring the temps with a digital thermomoeter?
2. What % uvb are you using?
3. What is the substrate you are using?
4. What type of greens are you feeding?
5. When was the last poop?
6. When was the last clean fecal done?

Mealies aren't a good food choice for beardies. They can't digest them properly. Crix and some roaches are a better choice.

If you can answer those above questions, it will help to see what is going on?

 

[ladyknite]

but nothing has really been found besides from some worm eggs and pesticides which were treated twice

with just that, and a few other indictions you made, I'd assume she still has a parasite problem.
I'd get a new vet, and take in the fecal for exam.

In the meantime, you can prepare her gut for digestion. parasites, pesticides and other issues they run across at times create a world of tummy trouble.
She'll do better on a probiotic such as acidophilus or benebac. Some jump start might also help her gain some while she's going thru treatment.

Give the rest of the questions asked in this thread some consideration and get back to us.

 

[renich]

Don't want to inundate you with questions, but I am curious. Are you housing the beardies together?

 

[clared456]

are you measuring the temps with a digital thermomoeter?
2. What % uvb are you using?
3. What is the substrate you are using?
4. What type of greens are you feeding?
5. When was the last poop?
6. When was the last clean fecal done?

Mealies aren't a good food choice for beardies. They can't digest them properly. Crix and some roaches are a better choice.

hope these answers you requested will help!

1. i have a permanent digital thermomoeter in the tank so i know the temp all the time.
2. the uvb is 60cm 10.0 uv
3. i have had to constantly change the substrate to make sure the substrate wasnt causing the problem. at the moment they are on corn cob. she was on news paper for ages coz of the mite then changed to corn cob. was on desert sand on 2 occasions but not long coz i know its not ideal for them when they are babies.
4. i am using expensive salad i cant remember the name of who makes it all i know is its called crispy leaf salad (i have been told by vets and others it is a good one to give them).
5. the last poop was yesterday she usually poops every other day.
6. i have still got to get a sample off beardie and send it to the vet again. this is not dues to be done till next week.


hope this helps

 

[li]

I would definitely get a fecal done...it can never hurt. Like LK said, that could be some of the problem.

A few other things..
The uvb...what type is it. Is it a Repti glo or a Repti sun?

The particle substrate really isn't a great choice, especially since you are having problem. Personally I would suggest taking it out and for now just using a non particle. This can include non adhesive shelf liner, reptile carpet, ceramic tile, or even just paper towel until you decide on a choice.

"salad" normally isn't greens of a good kind. Many times it is just a bunch of different kinds of lettuce. They have no nutritional value. Bok choy, swiss chard, escarole, chicory, collard greens are some good greens to try.

 

[staylor]

Mixing in some kiwi got mine to eat his greens. Now he eats them everyday without kiwi. I feed collard greens and butternut squash daily, they make for a good staple, don't cost much and keep well in the refrigerator.

As for not eating/growing much, I would get a second vets opinion and another fecal.

 

[clared456]

the salad isnt the biggest issue. is it possible for an 11 month beardie to only weigh 188g.

 

[li]

What is the uvb, please?

How long is your beardie from nose to tail?

 

[clared456]

she is roughly 30 cm and its a 60cm bulb 10.0 uvb

 

[li]

That works out to be about 11" long. All beardies grow at different rates and their ratios are different. Can you post a picture of what she looks like.

Also...the uvb...I realize you said a 10.0, but what kind a Repti sun or a Repti glo? Big difference.