eragon bearded dragon

Question
QUESTION: hey traci just wanted to give you an update from the vet.  he is calcium deficiant.  they gave him an injection and he is on meds (calcium and something in case he has any parasites) plus eye drops.  he seems to be responding he is more responsive although not eating just yet which the vet said would be expected.  he checked and the uvb light i have isnt the problem although he would prefer asap that i get a tank long uvb bulb.  thanks for your time and help youve been great.  jodi

ANSWER: Hello Jodi,

Well, the UVB light that you have is the problem & it is what is causing the calcium deficiency problem actually.
See, without the proper UVB exposure, he cannot absorb his calcium properly so over time, he will become calcium deficient.  That is why I recommended getting the Reptisun 10 tube bulb to help him out.  So, the sooner you can get that placed over him, the more the calcium will help him out.  At the moment, the calcium will help a little bit, just because he is deficient.  However, he wont be able to absorb it as well as he needs to without the proper UVB light.
To explain a little further about the lighting.  There is a certain wavelength that is produced by UVB lights that is responsible for D3 synthesis to occur.  If this wavelength is not present, their bodies will not be able to produce enough D3 to maintain their bones & store calcium adequately.  
If he still is not eating on his own, you will need to intervene with some baby food to help him out if he is losing weight.
Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the vet told us he alsohad me submit a stool sample and eragon has some type of parasite and that those and the deficiancy were already in process when we purchased him.  he does want a uvb that will go the length of the tank and actually recommended the  zoo-med and that he wants a 10.v uvb  and highest watt we can get.  but exciting news he ate really well last night he had two or three wax worms and 1 or 2 mealworms.  i havent seen him eat the vegis yet though. considering he hasnt eaten prior this was a real breakthrough.  we also we told to take him out in the sunlight when possible so he has gotten 5 min here 10 there. i can tell he is starting to feel better. we plan to get the better bulb when i get paid. he also had me put a thermometer at the cool side to be sure it was staying low enough because i only had one temp gage and it was in the middle of the tank.  thank you again for your help. jodi

Answer
Hello Jodi,

Yes you have not had him for very long, so he was ill when you got him most likely.  Sorry, that happens pretty often.  
The tube bulb can go 2/3rds of the length of the tank, so he can have a small area on the cooler end without UVB in case he wants to get out of the "sunlight" for awhile.
Great he had a few worms then.  I hope that he is feeling better soon.  
The thermometer should be either a digital probe or a temp gun.  It should be placed directly underneath of the basking light to ensure the proper temperatures are being measured.    
The recommended basking temperatures are 95-110 with a cooler end of around 78-82 or so.
Keep me posted on him.  

Tracie