My sons new Bearded Dragon isn't looking so good today! We now have him 15 days today. Lack of appetite and noticing small dark (blackish) spots on him, about 3 or 4. Also, seems very sleepy. Not quite sure how old he/she is either. Anyone have any ideas? Past the two week mark for Pets Smart and I live in the middle of "nowhere" ! Valdosta, GA.... Closest Reptile Vet, would be where? I heard Jacksonville, FL? Is this right?

We need some information about your set up. Temps (basking and cool), tank size, substrate. What are you offering for food, etc. Usually its normal for them to have a lack of appetite the first week or so, but not 15 days. Do you have pics of the black spots. Could be many things.

Here is a link to locate a vet in your area.

Reptile Forums - The HC Network - Reptile Vet Locator

BTW...Welcome to Herpcenter

__________________
MARSHA

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

First of welcome to the site!
Here is a link to reptile vets, look to see where the closest one is to you. Reptile Forums - The HC Network - Reptile Vet Locator

Also if you give us more info about your dragon's set up we might be able to help ya.

And here is a care sheet for ya as well. You probably want to look it over just to see if you might have missed anything. Reptile Forums - The HC Network - Bearded Dragon Caresheet (Pogona vitticeps)

__________________

Thank you so much for the quick reply. "Ollie", our Dragon never hesitated to eat his/her small crickets. Always offered the pellets w/ carrots (shredded) w/ citrus juice, but preferred the moving critters. Tried the mealworms for the first time last night, this is the last time I saw him eat (one giant Armstrong). The temp is 80/humidity is 50. He has been basking in the sun spots this morn. It is a smaller cage, for us beginners, but the dragon is only the size of an Anole right now. Planned to go larger soon... I have to figure out how to attach pic's on this thing.... The spots are not too noticeable either

What size tank? The sun spots? Is the tank in a window with sunlight shinning through it. If so and the Bearded Dragon is laying in a spot that the sun is shinning, the glass will act as a magnifying glass and cook your Bearded Dragon. You need a basking bulb and it needs to be at least 105 degrees in the basking spot.

I would steer clear of to many carrots, it causes the calcium to bind and to much isn't good for them. Citrus juice? You need to read the caresheet for proper foods and temps for him. They need lots of veggies and protein, not so much fruits, mainly fruits as a treat. What veggies are you feeding him?

__________________
MARSHA

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

OMG!! I am going to hurt this poor little thing!! UUGH... It was brief in the kitchen . He is always in under the lighted cage throughout every day. Just cleaned out the cage for the second time this morn. We turn off the light at night! Sorry, the directions on the Juvenile Bearded Dragon Food states to moisten w/ water or fruit juice. But, it never touches it!! Became dependent on crickets at the pets store. And the store told me to shave the carrots. I can easily buy kale and things... not a problem. The store sold me to buy baby food too??

#1 lesson - Dont listen to pet store employees, they will sell you anything, lol. What I used to do was cut up veggies and put them in the tank in the morning, left them most of the day, then fed crickets at night. When is the last time he ate and poo'd?

__________________
MARSHA

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

Oh, the cage I think is a 10 gallon??

You need to up it to a 20 gallon long. A 10 gal tank is to small to get the temps correct and may be part of your problem. Do you have hides in the tank?

__________________
MARSHA

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

Last night he ate one giant meal worm. Poo'd I think on Sunday...