Hi, we are in need of help. Our Bearded Dragon Casey is sick. She hasn't been eating much, and she is extremely lethargic. She has been forced fed some crickets yesterday and today, and today she actually has moved, but spends most of the time not moving with her eyes closed. Her paws and head are very pale. She is also having some type of twitching in her arms and legs. Does someone know what might be wrong????

She needs to be seen by a vet. If she twitching she could be lacking calcium. If she is lethargic and no appetite she may have a bacterial infection like coccidia or worms. They will need a fecal sample. When is the last time she ate. Also what are her temps basking and cool, what substrate is she on and does she have a UVB light?

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

She ate today, but she was forced fed the crickets. She does have a UVB light, as far as her temps, I don't know haven't taken the temp. She's got sand and a fake tree. Nothing has changed in her home and she lives alone. She's about a yr old.

Need to check the temps, should be at least 100-105 for basking. Do you dust her food with calcium and vitamins. What does she normally eat. The more info you share the easier it is for us to help.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Ok, I need to buy a thermometer for that. Would a regular one work? Until recently we didn't know to feed her greens. She usually eats crickets, often dusted with calcium , she also eats fortified formula in the shape of pellets and these little cubes that look like ham, they smell sweet. water of course.
We've had her since she was born almost and this is the first time she's sick.

Here is a link of how to prepare her food and a link for different fruits and veggies to feed. She needs greens everyday. Meanwhile, I think she needs to be seen by a vet.

http://www.herpcenter.com/articles/B...agon-Diet.html

http://www.herpcenter.com/articles/S...agon-Diet.html

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Thank you, I really appreciate your help. I was afraid it might come down to that. Now I gotta find a vet. Thanks again.

For a herp vet listing in your area go to
www.herpvetconnection.com or
www.arav.com

And the sooner you get the dragon to a vet the better.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Sounds like normal brumating behaviour to me, (how old is your Bearded Dragon)??but its best to get her checked out by the vet, mine have been acting the same but are now back to eating loads, my male especially is so lazy, I have to wake him up sometimes just to make sure he is ok, and I just get dirty looks as if to say go away and let me sleep..

You dont want to be force feeding, if something is wrong the vet will give you meds to help stimulate feeding and such, take a fecal along with you too to rule out any internal parasites.

It could be some sort of illness or it could be brumation as Donna suggested; both are plausable reasons. As Donna said you shouldn't be force-feeding her at the moment - this can cause more stress and you should have her checked by a vet as your first port of call if you are concerned about her. You know what is normal for your dragon and I believe you should go on instincts, it is better to be paranoid than not concerned at all!!

I do want to point out the dangers of not monitoring temperatures. I was surprised and disappointed to read that you didn't even know the temps in her enclosure; reptiles need specific environmental conditions and the incorrect care can lead to serious problems. Before even buying an animal you should have the enclosure set-up for several days beforehand so you can monitor conditions and ensure they are right for that species.

Do you change your UVB bulb when needed? How old is it?

I do hope it is nothing serious but you do need to get your dragon to a vet now to rule out all serious nasties. You also need to check and monitor your temps - how do you heat the enclosure?

I also suggest you read up on bearded dragons - see our care sheet here:http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=6971

Good luck.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004