Help!! is my bearded dragon sick??

Question

he's the size of the palm of my hand(not counting the tail), he has been sleeping a lot in a corner and doesnt eat much.

the white part of his eyes is suddenly red, i'm really worried about that...and please dont tell me to take him to the vet. i know i have to, i just can't right now

thank you!!

Answer 1

dont let a vet touch it.  thats a great way to kill it.  it is all about the setup.  what size tank? you want about 2.5 watts per gallon and leave it on 24 hrs a day.  this usually happens when they eat the wrong thing.  feed him crickets that are not "gutloaded" and use a calcium suppliment without vitamin a.  keep a dripper on him because he probably wont drink from a water dish.

Answer 2

i agree. why did you get the animal if you don't have time for him?

raise the temp in his tank to fight off what sounds to be like an on coming eye infection.

Answer 3

If he's on sand, get him off right away.  It leads to impactions and eye infections.  Soak him in shallow warm water for 15 minutes to hydrate him (a good thing to do at least once a week with any beardie).  What are your temps?  Basking for a baby should be 105F.  You must measure this with a digital probe thermometer--stickons and dials are only for air temps.  Is his UVB new?  It must be changed every 6 months as they lose potency.  It has to be within 12 inches of the basking spot, and both heat and light need to be on for 12 hours a day.  Are you feeding gutloaded, dusted insects every day?  A fresh salad of correct vegies?  See this site for more info (and beardeddragon.org is excellent also)

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co...

Answer 4

If you "just can't right now", you shouldn't have him. He needs to go within the next few days.

Answer 5

At this age an unresponsive dragon is DEADLY ill. If you cannot take him to the vet immediately (which may be too late) you can still try these things:

1. Get him off sand onto clean papertowels. Provide a hide of course but be sure temperatures are 98-100F with a DIGITAL probe thermometer.  Ambient temp should be around 88 on one side down to 72-75 cooler.

2. WATER-- SLURRY. Alternate medicine droppers full of water/pedialyte and slurry made from babyfood like peas/sweet potatoes/chicken. Add some warm water, a pinch of vits and calcium, probiotics (acidophilus dairy free) if you have it, and gatorade, real fruit juice, or pedialyte. He needs to be hydrated well and by leaving little drops on his lips if he has any energy he will lap it up slowly. Do this at least 4-6 times per day until he gets stronger.

3. UVB-- If you don't have a repti-sun 5.0, 10.0 or a reptiglo 8.0, or a merc vapor bulb-- get him outside in the sun for a few hours a day. Allow him to hide from it. Do not leave him in direct sunlight and remember he cannot get UVB through glass. This will help jumpstart his immune system, MOOD, as well as organ function and improve his ability to utilize nutrients

4. If you think he may be impacted, baby-bath temperature water baths while he sits in your hand. A drop of mineral oil or olive oil would also help, but chances are just the fluids will do it! The bath will also help keep him clean, particularly if he has an irritant in his eye.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bearded_dr... and check out our links compilation here:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Beard...

Answer 6

Sign up for www.beardeddragon.org

There are a lot of wise people on this website and I know you will find out whats wrong with him on there!!!

Answer 7

u have to give us more details. the bedding hes on, what he eats, that kind of stuff. or else we can't help u.