Two questions re: beardie

Question
QUESTION: We've had our beardie for about a year.

Two questions, please:

- Should we be doing any type of regular veterinary care?  If so, how do we find a vet?

- Our bearded dragon is still very skittish with humans and usually struggles against being handled.  How do we address that?

Thanks so much for any help.

ANSWER: Hello Samtor,

You can take your dragon in for a yearly check up, if you would like.  A normal routine exam is simply a fecal, possible blood work, & just viewing of the skeletal framework to make sure there are no deviations or calcium issues.
What is your tank set up like?  Do you use a UVB light?  If so, what type & brand do you use, a fluorescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light?
What are the temperatures in the tank?  
Are you supplementing calcium several times per week?

You can look on this site to help you find a vet:
www.herpvetconnection.com


Tracie

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

QUESTION: It is a large tank, possibly 50 gallons, with a basking stone, some logs, etc.

We do use a UVB light.  It doesn't have a brand but the bulb looks like this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+6028+21330&pcatid=

We try to maintain the cage at 80 on one end, 100 on the other.

We do supplement calcium.

I would very much like to find a way to get him to be more comfortable with people.

Answer
Hello Samtor,

Great, a 50 gallon tank is a good sized.  
Ok, the Sun Spot mercury vapor bulb has been known to have very low UVB emissions.  Can you get the UVB tested on it by any chance?

It is a high possibility that he may be starting to have some symptoms of metabolic bone disease & that is why he is not very tame.  I can't guarantee that, but just knowing the light is not very good is why I suggest that.  He might not be absorbing his calcium very well without proper UVB lighting.
The temperatures are fine if you are using a digital probe or a temp gun.  
The calcium should be given 3 times per week for an adult & 5 times a week for a dragon under 1 year.

Let me know how he is doing.
Tracie