Bearded dragon stressed.

Question
QUESTION: I have been working with Diane on this, but you may be able to better help me with my bearded dragon being stressed most of the time. Let me tell you of my set up:
He is a 40 gallon tank (36Lx18Wx16H). I have a reptisun 10. UVB that he gets within 9-10 inches of (extra inch because of screen top and I have it raised up about a 1/4 to 1/2 a inch off the screen to keep the weight off it.) I just covered the back and one side of the tank with a cactus/dessert background. His cool side stays at about 80-85F during the day. His warm side stays at about 90F, and his basking spot is 105-110F. I dust his cricets every feeding with plain calcium dust. Every monday I add a multivitamin dust one feeding. Also every three days I add a Calcium with D3 for one feeding. He gets a mix of collard green, mustard green, romane lettuce, and Turnip greens every day. Plus a bit of pured watermelon and either cut up butternut squash or sweet potato. I live in Florida so the humidity does not drop below 40% and I can't find a way other then buying a dehumidifer to do so. I noticed when I took him to the vet. That he was a bright orange, and he had no stress marks. Also when cleaning his cage last night, and he was in his box. He had no stress marks. Anytime I take the top off his cage and have his lights off he has no stress marks, and if I hold him for a while, but if he is just in his tank. He always has stress marks on him. Any idea of how to help him. I have had him for over a month now. He is 7-8" long.

ANSWER: Hello Will,

Which Reptisun 10 UVB do you have, the flourescent tube bulb or the compact/coil light?  What type of basking light are you using, is it a bright white light or a colored bulb?  Where is the basking light placed in relation to the UVB light?
The humidity of 40% is fine.  What type of thermometer are you using, a stick on type of thermometer, a digital probe or a temp gun?  
His cool side might be overheating him.  Do you have a light over the cool side, or not?
Can you post a picture of your tank setup for me?
Did the vet do a fecal on him?  If so, was his fecal clean or did he have worms or parasites?  
His crickets only need to be dusted once daily, 5 times per week.  How many times per day do you give him crickets?  While he is young & growing, he should be given the opportunity to eat feeders at least 2, maybe 3 times per day for awhile to ensure he is getting enough protein.  That is fine if you add calcium with D3 every few days, no problem.  You could add the multivitamin to 2 times per week, if you want.  It is not imperative, however, if he is eating a good balance of greens & veggies.
How do his stools look?  What about his urates, are they hard or soft?  

Thanks.
Tracie



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QUESTION: I am useing the UVB tube. I can try for a picture soon. The basking light is smack dab next to the UVB light. I am using a 50watt Halogen bulb that gives off bright yellow light. I have no lights on the right side of tank. It is florida so temps get high here. He is in the garage. It is all insulated and made into a extra room, but still gets a bit hotter then a normal room cause of no central heating or air. I feed him atleast 2 times a day. On my days off I try for three, but most of the time he only wants to eat twice a day, and I have to dig extra crickets out. They did a fecal, and found one coacaria egg. I have antibiotic/parasite killer from vet. His stools usually seem runny, but the urates are bright white and mushy.

ANSWER: Hello Will,

I will wait for a picture.  If you can't get it loaded onto here, you can send it to my home at:
Drache613@cfl.rr.com

He is probably getting too hot.  What type of thermometer are you using to measure his temps?   The lighting sounds pretty good.  I think though overall, it might be getting too hot in there for him.  Do you have a fan that you could help circulate some air in there for him?
Are you giving him meds right now?  Was he eating well before starting the medication?  I ask because finding just one egg of coccidia really doesn't warrant needing medication.  

How long has he been on meds?  Are you using a probiotic?  

Tracie

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cage setup   QUESTION: I am useing a digital one with a probe. Plus a stick on one near the top of his tank on the basking side. I am going pick up a small battery operated fan tonight to see if that helps. I am giving him albon suspension. It is suppose to be more of a antibiotic because the sides of his mouth have black spots. I took him to the vet because I thought he was getting mouth rot/rubber jaw. Because of the spots, and then also he will vent his mouth some while chasing crickets. In the picture I have his hide and another smaller stacked. Cause that is the closest I can get to the light. I want to know if it is safe to put his UVB tube inside the tank along the back wall. That way I can take the wooden hide out. Move the stone one to the cool side, and then put his two branchs back on the basking side. The largest branch I can find is the yellowish one, but it won't stay up to just use that for basking or UVB. It likes to roll, and I don't want him to get hurt. He has been on the meds since Tuesday. It came in a needleless syringe. I put four little marks on a waxworm every morning. It's the only way he will take it. It is a 10 day treatment.

Answer
Hello Will,

How is he doing today?
Well, your setup looks pretty good.  I think the screen is most likely filtering out alot of the UVB.  Is there any way you can mount that Reptisun 10 underneath the screentop somehow so he can get better emissions from the Reptisun 10?
The UVB needs to be mounted overhead though, because if you mount it on the back wall, it is too glaring in his eyes.   
He does need to have a probiotic to help his tummy out while he is on the Albon.  
I doubt he has rubber jaw as that would be metabolic bone disease.  Why did you think he had mouth rot?  Were the black spots on his gums then?  
So when he chases crickets, he keep his mouth open?  Are his gums a healthy pink or are they pale?

Tracie