My bearded dragon is acting sick =(?

Question

It is 6:39 PM on Monda September 24th, and i've just brought home my new bearded dragon. I had a feeling he was sick when i bought him for 80$ from petland but I wasen't sure. You ask why bring home a sick bearded dragon? ... I'd rather a sick one then healthy because the poor guy didn't do anything to anyone its not his fault it was petland's and i'm here to take care of him. If i don't get him to feel better by wednesday (if he doesn't show as if he's getting better) I'm taking him to a vet.. I have a webcam and AIM for anyone else with aim to see him live and tell me what you think... I pick him up and his eyes are shut the only time he opens them is when i pick him up when he sits in my palm he doesnt move.... I gave him water right when i got home and he acted like he hasen't drank in years.. He ate one mealworm and i tried to feed him a cricket but he just sat there eyes closed.. Hes now sitting right under a basking light and he's been there for about 20 minutes not moving. Help

Answer 1

Does it seem to be fat or bloated a little? You may want to soak the little guy in some warm water, even hold it in a warm wet rag for a while. it can be suffering from a blockage of sorts from eating crickets that are too large for it. Many pet stores only purchase and sell a couple of cricket sizes and they also feed their lizards what ever they have on hand. Just because the guy/girl can eat a larger cricket, doesn't make it ok for it. I would give it some nice warm water in a shallow container and let it lay in that water for 1/2 an hour or so... watch it closely, make sure the water is warm but not HOT. The beardie may also drink while it's in that water. Put it in the bath tub with about 1/2" of warm water and sit in there and watch it for a while. It may not seem to like the water at first, but it will calm down and enjoy it. It "should" go potty if left in there long enough, just clean your bath tub really good when your done is all. If you dont' want to use the tub, use a deep container that it can NOT climb out of. Your basically going to FORCE it to soak for a while. This should help! Also, try giving it some baby food too! Some peas, applesauce, green beans, something very mushy and you can hand feed it with an eye dropper to get it to eat and drink. They LOVE strawberries (any berrie or melans) mash them up or chop them up finely and try that. If the dragons not eating well, drinking or is not getting a 100 degree basking spot during the day, it's not going to make it. It needs MORE heat than an adult beardie. NO heat at night... they don't need a heat lamp or heating pad at night. Only a very hot basking light during the day and make sure you have it in a large cage, so that there is an area that is NOT hot in the same cage. If you have this bearded dragon in a small tank, the heat lamp will basically heat up the entire cage and COOK the little devil. If you need more information email me! You can find me online throught he link below... Hopefully, it's not too late to save it. : /

Answer 2

i agree that a supervised soak is a good idea..make sure the water stays warm, and soak about 20 minutes the first time. this should be done 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes each time, soaking is how beardies hydrate themselves. his air temp in his cage should be about 85 on the hot side and about 78 on the cool side, his basking area should be about 110-115 surface temp. the heat should come from above, a regular household bulb will do, beardies do not regulate the heat from below so an under tank heater is not good, nor is a heat rock...as well as the heat bulb you need a uvb light. he needs to be able to get within 6 inches of it. this is necessary, they need the heat and uvb together for digestion and bone development and health. mealworms are not good for babies, they are to hard to digest, try small crickets or silkworms. for a list of recommended fruits and veggies look at beautifuldragons.com it's great that you are taking him to the vet, try to get a stool sample to take with you. good luck..and you might want to join the forum at bearded-dragons.com its a great place to learn a bunch!

Answer 3

I agree with mateosnake I have 7 adult dragons myself and there have been a few times when constipation renders them motionless and unresponsive. A lukewarm soak is in order.
Just make sure it's not too deep if your lizard is really unresponsive, you don't want him to keep his head under the water. I've saved many a dragon in this fashion. Use a prop for his head if you must but keep him in the water hopefully long enough to relieve himself and then he should start to feel much better. Be careful with the meal worms for food items though they can bind up small beardies in a hurry.
Small crickets would be better. Good Luck and if you don't see quick improvement or no bowel movement contact your vet.

Answer 4

This happens with all bearded dragons including my new purchase. His name is Tony and as I'm typing this he is on my shoulder. Your lizard has a little appetite because he is getting used to his new environment. Or he could be stressed out. And with the excessive sleeping just take him out and handle him for a while. It will wake him up and give him some exercise. He will eventually get used to this schedule and begin to be happy. How long ago did you buy him? You would want to leave him in his enclosure for no less than a week to adjust with no handling. Then after the week is over start taking him out on a regular basis. Let him run around outside and get him a leash. Remember to give him at least 2 bathes a week! It helps him shed and gives him time to play. Back to his appetite though, he will not starve himself to death. He knows better. So just keep feeding him normally and dont forget to switch up his diet every once in a while. Also if you got him at PetCo or any unprofessional in specifically reptiles, it is often to get a reptile with a disease because they get their reptiles shipped in. As for a professional reptile store, the majority of them breed the animals right there in the store so there would be no chance of shipping in a diseased reptile. Have fun with your beardie! :)

Answer 5

make sure you keep misting him so he stays hydrated...he is most likely trying to warm up, once he gets warm he will probably take more food since they don't like to eat when they are cold...even if he does get a little better i would still recommend taking him to your vet

don't feel bad about taking the sick one....i took home a three legged bearded dragon when a larger one bit off his front arm...i was working at pet smart at the time and they told me to just put him in the back and let him die (which is why i no longer work there) but i took him home and hand fed him and now he is fully grown and he is the sweetest beardie i have ever known!!! keep trying and i'm sure he will come around!

Answer 6

You got some good advice here. When you can, please check out these websites as well for additional info and care. Setup heat/light/diet is critical.

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/home.html
http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BD.html
http://www.beardeddragon.org/

Answer 7

trust me its not an act