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bearded dragon - is he ill?

22 14:53:49

Question
I purchased a bearded dragon about a month ago.  That would make him about 8 weeks.  We've been feeding him small crickets twice a day approx 20 total.  I've offered various veggies but he's not interested.  His basking area is 95 degrees and is available for 14 hours.  The other end of the tank is 85 degrees.  He always has fresh water but i've never seen him drink any.  Today I noticed he was laying around the bottom of the tank.  I picked him up and he didn't try to run away.  I held him in a tub of warm water and he didn't really move or deficate.  He appears to be moving in the cage A LOT slower than normal.  I don't know what to try to help him.  Being a paramedic, I have a feeling that he is going to die.  Any advice?

Answer
Hello Connie and thank you for your question,

Do you have a *UVB light source that he can get within 8-12 inches of? Is there and glass or plastic between the bulb and hisself? Without UVB lighting bearded dragons and all other daytime lizards will fall very ill with MBD matalic bone diesese this is caused from being little to no D3 in the system and therefore calcium Not being absorbed into the...the lizard doesnt grow or if so very slowly, the legs and toes begin to twich after a few weeks and the jaw can become rubbery and the lizard wont be able to eat. The cure is harded and more expensive the the pervention and to cure the lizard a reptile veteranerian is required right away. But since you say he is eating this may not be the problem....hs his appatite dropped any lately? The temps are the same as my three beardie tanks so yes there is No problem there. Has he pooped lately? he may be constapaped or inpacted.... what type of beddingis he on? any bedding with loose particles(sand/calisand/bark/mulch/walnut shells/corn cob/shavings) Should *NEVER be sued the beardies flick there tounges out to explore there enviroment and they offen end up with particles in there mouth and soon to be in there tummys, also while diving for crickets they eat the sand or bark adn it causes a very serious and life threating inpaction in the intestins and tummy. Safe beddings include newspaper/paper toweling and *Textured ceramic tiles. My baby male lays on the floor of his cage he streches right out under his basking area....i see no problem with a beardie laying on the floor unless he isnt moving onto his basking areas either(?). Rarely do they drink froma  dish you must mist them once a day/three or frou sprays mainly to teh head will keep them hydrated along with a weekly bath, the beardies drink the water from there nose and from whatever teh drops landed on in the cage...do not however mist the Entire cage you will make the beardie sick. I would rush him to a vet asap but if you can give me some more details I might be able to help out more.