Ms. Ashley and Kanarybird Questions All-In-One Thread

[kanarybird]

My beardie has had her eyes closed all day. When I stirred her, one eye stayed shut and she wasn't very lively. Her tail and face are dulling and greying so I'm hoping she's going into a shed (explaining the eyes shut thing). Anyone know any other reason she might be keeping her eye(s) shut?

btw...she's only 4-5 months old...

[kanarybird]

Posted earlier with no reponse.

So I got a new 4 month old beardie on sunday. I fed her on the second day and she ate well then and thereafter. She ate quite a bit this morning.

However, she seemed to sleep most of the day (or at least had her eyes closed). I stirred her late this afternoon and she awoke but kept one eye closed. Her nose and tail have dulled to a greyish color and I am hoping that she is beginning to shed. I do believe that could irritate her eyes as well?

ANy input is appreciated...

[TooManyToys]

How are you keeping it? Temperature etc.... What are you feeding? Vitamins?

[kanarybird]

Well, I got too small of a tank (under suggestion from the stupid breeder who said it was ok) and I have her on the wrong substrate (I won't even say what cause I'm embarrassed) but both of those will change tomorrow (one week of mediocre husbandry can't really damage an animal can it?).

She was eating fine and basking etc...

Temps were a little high (cool: 85-90 hot: 95-105 and she never goes to the cool side). It just started today? Does it sound like an issue?

[dr del]

Hi kanarybird,

You have to realise this is a forum not an instant chat and occasionally it may take some time before someone with the answer logs in and notices your question.

That being said could you please not start multiple threads on the same issue within 3 and a half hours - it makes the forums messy.

Just be patient and answers will come soon enough.


dr del

[Crazydude]

Ill try to cover all the basis on why this can be happening, its probably relocation stress, but with any animal making sure the care is correct is the first concern as problems can be caused by incorrect husbandry aswell. So here goes my essay.


As for dulling, this can be shed, a few days to a week or two after you see the dulling they can shed, this effects them just like a snake, and it can irritate them, make them sleep ext. As there eye lids and all that do shed.

But since you just got her it may be relocation stress, keep giving her the chance to eat, make sure temps are right and UVB is right, and eventually she will act normal. If there are some more striking signs after a few days id take the dragon to the vet for a fecal and check-up and check for parasites, stressful situations can run up the levels of coccidia and pinworms, which can cause problems, but a healthy dragon that destresses quickly will not be effected.

My other idea on the eyes shut probably wouldnt happen in a day or two, but what type of UVB bulb are you using, Compact or coil bulbs cause irritation to the eye, and its a common problem, hence the recomendations to steer clear of them, sadly not all the public is as informed on this as they should be, but it may be a problem if you have one of these bulbs, If you have one, replacing it with a repti-sun 10.0 (preferably, 5.0 is ok, but make sure its zoo-med repti-sun, and a liniar florecent tube, fixture can be from home improvement stores ext.) and keeping it at least 6-8 inches from his head at the highest point he can reach in the cage should correct this problem.

I dont want to be the bad guy, but some bad husbandry like calcium sand for example only takes a few minutes to mess it up for a year. I know of some dragons that it took them 8 months to pass calci-sand stones. As shes a baby/juvie, Id put her on a non-particle substrate like paper towel, textured ceramic/slate tile, or the various newsprint sheets used for snakes you probably know of. Id do this asap, as you are planning.

As for small cage, it cant hurt that bad for a short while as long as temps are achieved and you have a gradient. If you dont have correct temps, they cant digest very well, and this could cause them not to eat, but correct temps should fix this. You want to use a digital thermomiter with a probe or a Infared Tempgun to measure the surface of the basking spot where he lies, and it needs to be between 100-110, and the ambient on the cool side between 75-83. On the hot side ambient temps are not as important and under the heat light they seem to balance out. ALso for a heat light, only use bright white bulbs, dont mess with colored bulbs for day or night, they are from austrailia and thrive in bright light, and this does effect eating ext. They can see colored lights at night too, so as long as temps are not below 65 at night in the cage there is no problem.

The last main point is UVB, there are only 2 strip bulbs that are considered Ok at this point, these are the repti-sun 10.0, and 5.0 (as other brands are too weak, dangerous, or discontinued (aka the repti-glo 8.0)). You need a Tube, NO compacts or coil bulbs. Also you can use a mercury vapor bulb in larger tanks, these work differently and are heat and UVB, but need to be far away, these can be mega-rays, or T-rex active uv heat, are the main brands. If you dont have a good bulb, or you dont have one at all, or a dangerous one you can take him outside for a little while each day (but be safe, they are really fast if they want to be, will jump from crazy heights, and can be lost. ) until you get a good bulb.

For good caresheets, id recomend reading these, all three caresheets are packed with info.

http://beardeddragoncaresheet.org/care-sheet.html
http://www.kakadudragons.com/caresheet/
http://www.beardietales.net/bt_caresheets.html

Beardies are extremly care dependant,but if their diet, UVB and heat needs are met and they are in a safe enviorment that gives them room to run (can be taken out of the cage for this), they will be healthy (parasites can be a problem though). Get these things straight and you will not have a problem. They are IMO the best bet lizard, and when they are healthy you can tell in there mood and personality, along with appearence and energy. So the extra step and money for the best care actually shows and rewards you.

Best of luck and hope that helps,
Ben

[kanarybird]

Thanks so much

[kanarybird]

Is it normal for bearded dragons to have their front feet folded under?

[Beardedragon]

Im guessing that you mean too their sides, then yes, it is perfectly normal!!

[Ms.Ashley]

I just got my beardie on Sunday....My bf has been leaving some questions on here and I believe the result was us believing that our Princess had suffered ill effects of a faulty UVB light.....I don't know if I'm just paranoid, but I was curious what are the chances of her also having the syndrom listed above? She was perfectly healthy when we got her on Sunday, then just a few days ago she just completely stopped doing anything....She barely opens her eyes, eats, or even moves...I'm so devestated and I would really hate for something to happen to her....I really want to make sure that we are doing everything right!