Something is definitely not right with my bearded dragon?

Question

I posted something earlier about how my beardie was acting really weird (like crazy weird, falling over, attacking inanimate objects-which he's never done before-and jumping into the top of the cage with such force that he knocks things off the top). I started thinking maybe he was just bored but today he's actually been really slow and had some fruitflies crawling on his face (there's a culture on top of the lizard cage and they sometimes fall in when I'm getting some to feed my mantids, they're flightless), even in his eye and didn't do a thing about it. I sprayed them off and he kinda woke up and then I showed him some crickets and he got excited. When I put the crickets in the cage, though, he had a hard time catching them. He went after them really slowly and seemed like he couldn't quite focus right on them because he'd attack right next to one a couple times before he actually got a hold of it. I'm getting kinda worried. Any ideas what might be wrong?

Answer 1

Shortgirl 'hit the nail on the head' with her UVB questions, which is where I had intended to go.

Diet is essential as well.  Have you done your homework, and are you sure you're feeding him properly (fruits/vegies/gut loaded insects)?

Please get the Beardie to the vet ASAP.  If you don't already have a qualified reptile vet, you can contact “herpetologicalsocieties.com“ for one in your area.

I would also suggest you remove the 'culture' from the top of the tank.  Beardie's eat fruits/vegies as well as insects, and you don't want these contaminating his food, or bothering him.

Good luck with the lil guy, and I hope he's fully recovered soon.

I hope this has been of help.

Answer 2

This happened to my beardie, and he died shortly after.  Bring him to the vet, NOW!

Answer 3

Well, lately certain UVB bulbs have been causing issues lke you're describing.  I don't have the link handy, but check out beardeddragon.org; they should still have it under the Health section.  What UVB light are you using?  If it's a Repti-GLO 10.0 or a Repti-Sun OR Repti-Glo coil or compact light (or an ESU bulb), please remove it immediately!  They are causing major eye problems, lethargy and even cases of death of the animal have been reported.  We'll really need more info on your set-up... www.blackninjakitty.com has a "dragon questionnaire" which you can copy & paste which gives us most of the relevant info we would need to help you.  But I would schedule a vet visit with a HERP-experianced vet just to be sure!!  It might just be puberty, though the falling over concerns me...

Good luck! ~Michelle

Answer 4

PEASE take him to the vet.....he could be going blind? or have and ear infection......

Answer 5

take him to the vet. as soon as you can.

Answer 6

why are you bothering with yahoo answers for this...you should know to take him to the vet for something like this.