Bearded Dragon Not Defecating

Question

Healthy Bearded Dragon   QUESTION: Um, Hi.
I have just gotten a new "fancy" bearded dragon from petsmart on Sunday May 1. Unfortunalatly, 3 days later, (Tuesday the 3rd) he has yet to defecate. He has all the proper tank setups (He is in a 20 gallon tank, as he is only 3 inches long, excluding his tail, though I do have a 40 gallon ready to go when he gets bigger) has a desert UV light, a 100w heat spot lamp, a basking rock, a water dish and reptile carpet on the ground. He eats a lot, about 4-5 medium to large sized crickets daily, and green been chunks. Temp. is about 85 degrees, with a 95-100 degree basking area on his cave/rock. He is active, runs a lot, but isn't defecating. Is this normal? Or did I screw up his tank? Also, does he look healthy? (Image attached) Thanks,  - Eric.

ANSWER: Hello Eric,

Which brand is the desert UVB light?  Zilla?
What type of thermometer are you using, a stick on type, a digital probe or a temp gun?  The basking temperatures for babies need to be a range of 95-110 with a cooler end of 78-82 or so.  
Do you remember if he was on sand in the pet store?  
The crickets sound like they may be too large.  They need to be smaller than the space between the eyes, to avoid impaction.
I would take the water dish out at night, so he doesn't accidentally fall asleep in the water & drown.  
The tank size is fine & he will need the 40 gallon soon.  I am glad you are using reptile carpet then.
If he still has not gone to the bathroom in the next day or so, you can treat for impaction.  You can use some pumpkin or sugar free applesauce mixed with a drop or two of olive or mineral oil given to him with a plastic syringe or dropper.
He does appear healthy, yes, he is very pretty!


Tracie    

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QUESTION: Sorry about sending the email twice, i didn't mean to.
The brand of UV light is Repti-Glo, or at least that's what the box said. I have two stick-on thermometers, one on each tank side. He was on repti carpet at the pet shop. Can you clarify for me the cricket size? I know you said smaller than the eye to eye width, but is that length or width? The crickets he eats (quite readily and quickly) are longer head to tail than the space between his eyes, but aren't fatter. I will try the applesauce/olive oil mix, and thanks for the help.

ANSWER: Hello Eric,

The Reptiglo 10 tube bulb is a very weak bulb, & really doesn't provide the proper wavelength of UVB.  The Reptisun 10 is a much better bulb for him.  
I am glad to hear he was on the repti carpet so he shouldn't be impacted by sand then.  
The length of the crickets is what I am referring to.  So, if they are longer than the space between the eyes, you may want to decrease the size of them.  
How is he doing today?

Tracie

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QUESTION: He's doing great today! I woke up to and left to walk my dogs and came back to find out that he finally used the bathroom (In his water dish) but I'm really happy for that. The bulb thing isn't an issue, thank you for telling me what kind to get, i'll have it replaced in the next day or so. Thanks a lot for the help, it was great, Eric

Answer
Hello Eric,

Wow, that is great, he finally went potty!  
The UVB light will help him a lot.  It will give him much better UVB exposure which in turn, helps him absorb his calcium & vitamins more efficiently.  
Please let me know how he is doing, & it you need more help just let me know!

Tracie