bearded dragon no stool

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a one year old dragon. The last few weeks I have notice she wont have a bowel movement without me soaking in her warm water. Her eating is slowed down and she sleeps alot. once she poops she is up and around for a few hours. Her temp stays about 105 under heat light. She is in 40 gallon tank and I'm using a Repti- glo 10.0 just replace last week . I have both of these one in front of other over basking area where she is prone to sit and then where ever she lays I move uv light over her. I have tried applesauce and olive oil.  

Thank you
Debbie

ANSWER: Hello Debbie,

Well, unfortunately, your UVB light is not the best one to use.  The Reptiglo 10 tube bulb has had a lot of problems with emissions.  It does not put out the proper wavelength of UVB which means your dragon is not getting adequate UVB, & is most likely having problems sythesizing D3 & absorbing his calcium as well.  
I highly recommend getting him the Reptisun 10 tube bulb.  Can you exchange your Reptiglo 10 for the Reptisun 10 tube bulb possibly?  You can purchase the Reptisun 10 tube bulb online here for a lot cheaper than you can buy it in the store:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-rept

I think that if you change out the UVB light she will begin to improve.  How often do you supplement calcium for her?  
Are you using a bright white basking light as well?  Are you using a digital probe or a temp gun to measure the temperatures with?

Tracie

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

QUESTION: I am using  a thermometer right at her basking area temp is about 100-105, cool area about 85-90. She does have a bright basking lamp. I however have not cont. dusting her food in the last few months i used to do it daily while she was small. How often should i dust her food? should I be putting her outside now that the weather here in Northern California has warmed up and if so for how long  at a time. With the tube uvb  lights how often should they be changed?

Thank you Debbie

ANSWER: Hello Debbie,

What sized tank is she in?  The temperatures are ok, but the cool end temperatures are a little high.  She may not be able to thermoregulate properly.  The cooler end should only be around 78-82 with the basking spot around 95-110 range.
They need calcium supplementation 5 times per week up until around 1 year.  They grow & continue to fill out well into their 2nd year.  
The tube lights should be changed every 5-6 months to ensure that the strength remains good quality.  The phosphor coating which helps keep the UVB emissions, begins to wear off, or wear thin from use & the emissions decline.
You are using a digital probe to measure those temperatures, correct?
Well, putting her outside for a few hours per day would be fine, as long as the setup is safe & allows her to get in & out of the light to cool off as she needs to.  Do you have an outdoor enclosure for her?   
How is she doing today?

Tracie

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

QUESTION: Hi Traci,

She is in an 40 gallon tank. I am not using digital probe, I have to thermometers in tank one in basking area and one near food and water which is on the cooler side of tank. She sleeping a lot today. However I did get her to eat worms (5) with calcium on them and some kale about an hour ago and since she is more awake then she has been all day. I do not have out door enclosure. for now i just take outside with me.
I have been soaking her almost every other day and 90% of them time she will poop in the warm water. Should I cont. to feed her as if nothing is wrong or should i cut back the amount of protein that she is given.

Thank you Debbie

Answer
Hello Debbie,

The 40 gallon tank is fine size wise, for now.  You may need to upgrade the size later on to a 75 or larger tank when she becomes adult sized.
She should not be sleeping this time of year, not during the day really.  
The thermometers then are probably the round analogue stick on types then, right?  If so, your basking temperatures are most likely going to be off.  I would recommend getting a digital probe or a temp gun to measure the temps to see what exactly they are.  You should be able to find a digital probe at walmart, for around $12 or so.  The brand is Acurite.  You might have to ask for help in finding it, but it is usually in the plants or outdoor section.  The temperatures might be off, which could account for her lethargic behavior as well.
Once they become adults, roughly at 12-16 months, you can start to cut back on their feeders/insects a little bit.  They need around 50 or so feeders per week once they are full grown with the rest of their food comprising of greens & veggies, hopefully.  
Kale is ok, but too much of it can bind calcium absorption due to its high oxalate content.  Use mustard greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, endive, or escarole as good staples for greens.
That is good that she did eat a few worms for you today.
Do try to get a new light as soon as you can, I think it will help perk her up.  When you do take her outside, watch for large birds.
If she is not eating more than 50 or so feeders weekly there is no need to cut back on her protein, she should be getting about what she needs.  You can continue to bathe her daily to help keep her hydrated.  

Tracie