my bearded dragon is not himself, I think hes sick HELP!!?

Question
Hi Tracie:
We have a bearded dragon Dude is his name, we bought him for our 4 year olds because we hear they make great pets?
We bought him here locally in Castro Valley Ca at the reptile room @ 10 months ago he was just a little baby. He/she (we don't know yet) has always lived in the 10 gallon tank, screen on top, flourescent light strip and red color heat lamp (the set up they sell you at the reptile store). I asked alot of initial questions and i feel I did the right things.I think maybe I should have looked on the internet more looking back now. I just was kinda leary about who to belive so I took the Reptile rooms initial advice and followed that for teh last 10 months.
The gave me the "shake and bake" mixes fpor the crickets I think it's the calcium and the viatmins (the powders were kinda expensive)in teh tank we have sand just bagged sand the sell at the reptile store, we change the color of teh sand when we clean the tank.Also in the tank is a big piece of driftwood one end is higher so the Dragon can bask closer to teh heat lamp like maybe 6 inches away from the top of the screen at he highest point. we have always fed him 20-25 small crickets in one feeding and we feed him @ every 3-4 days (I am hearing we should be feeding him daily??)I ddi not try fruits/veggies because I thgought he was too young and small. I also did not clean his water dish every day because I did not know I had to, I claned it like weekly though and I squirted him with water daily like I was told(he would lick the water off of things when I sprayed him).Just about a 5 days ago I noticed a change, lathargic, lazy, not eatting hardly any crickets but when I pick him up, he moves around, then I put him back and same thing, closes eyes, his limbs (mostly his front feet) go kinda really relaxed looking.Nothing on him looks swollen or deflated his eyes look ok too. We take him out maybe only 2-3 times a week (mostly because of the kids being so small, we don't want them to accidently squish him or something. I read that the dragons don't need much people contact nor do they need other dragons for company.The only thing I can say is that I think he should be much much bigger at 10 months old, he did grow a little but not like what I see on the internet/books of what others look like at 10 months. He is @ 7-8'' long (that includes his tail).When I get close to his cage, he will look at me and sometimes move his head like he's really looking at me.I called the vet and am waiting for a call back but they are so expensive for a visit i thought i'd check here first. I'd hate to not do anything and something happens to him, I read they "hide" their sick symptoms well? What do you think? I really would appreciate as quick a reply as you can.

Cass~

Answer
Hello Deanna,

The Reptile Rooms forum is good, no questions there.  I was a moderator there for awhile.  
I think that the problem is going to be your UVB light though.  What type & brand of UVB light do you use, is it a flourescent tube light or a compact or coil light?  
The basking light you are using is a red bulb, or a bright white basking light?
What do you use to measure the temps, a stick on type of thermometer, a digital probe or a temp gun?  What are the temps right now?
The supplement powder, does it have BOTH the calcium & vitamins mixed together?  If so, I recommend getting a straight calcium with D3 right now such as Repcal calcium.  You should be able to find that at your local petstore.  Dust the feeders once daily, 5 times per week.  If you do not feel like he is getting enough calcium because he is not eating much, you can sprinkle some on his veggies or greens if he is eating those.  If not, try to mix a small pinch in with some water or applejuice (1ml) & use a plastic dropper to get him some fluids.

Can he support his bodyweight up on all fours or not?  I believe that he probably has low calcium & is heading towards metabolic bone disease.
You are going to need to get the calcium as soon as possible, & begin giving the calcium 5 days per week.  Also, get the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb, for the best UVB exposure for a tube bulb.
You can get it cheap at:
www.petmountain.com

He needs feeders every day 2-3 times per day right now.  He needs to catch up on his growth.  Also, do try mustard or collard greens along with some butternut squash as well, along with feeders, daily.  
On the contrary, no they don't really need contact with other dragons to do well, but they do extraordinarily well with human contact.  They can & will become depressed if not handled regularly & just kept in a small tank without getting out regularly.  

Right now, I would take his water dish out in case he is exhibiting any respiratory issues as well.  

Yes, they do not usually show illness because in the wild to show weakness is a sure way to become prey.  

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie