beardy help!

[itbites]

Ok hey all! ..I need HELP just got some beardy bubs yesterday. And i'm a little stressed about their health unfortunately i wasn't able to see them before purchasing (came interstate). Anyways they are all sick symptoms include no balance eye bulging spasming and mouth gapping .. i'm pretty much positive its mbd?! also 2 were kept on sand and the rest have all munched each others tails off as soon as i got them home i gave them crix with lot of calcium/vitamins plus reptisafe in their water and have been misting them 3x a day to rehydrate also taking them outside for natural daylight. Is there anything else i can/should be doing? I would hate to lose any of them after just getting them home. After they have their little episodes they seem fine all are eating well and soaking quite a bit, Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Cheers
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[hornet]

pletny of sunshine and calcium, keep us updated

[Miss B]

They don't sound too good. How old are they?

[itbites]

some are 8-10weeks the other 2 are supposed to be around 3 months i think all are undersize/weight i didn't want to have to post on here about them but i'm really concerned now and i've never really had this problem with my animals before..

[Sharron]

There is a book "The General Care and Maintenance of Bearded Dragons" avail through the Herp Shop which is excellent and I think a must for all beardie owners. The information I'm giving you is basicly from that book. Symptoms of calcium/vitamin D3 deficiency is tetanic twitching or the shakes, other symptoms may include neurological problems and soft jawbones. Treatment consists of supplementing the diet with a calcium/vitamin D3 supplement and exposing the animal to sunlight for at least 30 minutes daily. Respiratory infections when present, the most obvious symptoms are gaping, forced exhalation of air, puffing of the throat and a puffed up appearance of the body, treatment is keeping the animals at higher temeratures(book recommends 30.5 - 33.8C). Also dont interpret the normal gaping behavior of bearded dragons when they are overheated as a sign of respiratory infection.
Just keep in mind if they are inland/central breadies that coming from dry areas that they don't like high humidity so be careful with high temps and misting. Good luck, hope this information is helpful.

[dragon lady]

Hope they respond quickly for you... may be an idea to put small heat mat in the habitat at night.....
they get too cool before the hydrate & put on a bit they might go to sleep & not wake up!

Just to warn & let others know.....who sold them to you?
you may not want to say.....but most of us have had a bad deal...its good to inform others!

[Tatelina]

Did you tell the person that sold them to you?
Goodluck with them.

[Kirby]

eye bulging isnt related to sickness. usually done to stretch skin around the eyes for shedding.

gaping is a form of thermoregulation. when they are too hot..

what are your baskign temps? and cool side?

what are you feeding? are they all in together?

whats your uv?

suppliments? how often?

do you mist or bathe....?

sounds like over heatign to me, inner ear drying out.

[Miss B]

Yeah - I'd be contacting the seller as soon as possible to let them know you are not happy with the condition of the animals you received. They should not have been shipping animals that were in such poor health. Sounds like you're doing a good job with them though. How big are they? You could give them some Sandoz Liquid Calcium, that stuff works wonders - but they'd need to be big enough that you could calculate the dosage correctly.

I had a hatchy with a calcium problem and the symptoms included spasming, twitching and mouth gaping. He weighed 3 grams and the vet had him on half a drop of Sandoz, twice per day. He's doing great now. The lack of balance can be a sign of overheating, but with the other symptoms you mentioned I'd be more inclined to think their problems are calcium related.

[itbites]

Hey all ..thanks for the responses dragon lady i'd prefer not to bother mentioning names as it creates drama and also the person is getting out of reptiles so i don't think anyone will have to worry about that. Yes i told her that i am concerned about their health and not alot was said. Their environment is not high in humidity they are gaping/spasming/twitching all at the same time the heat is around 33 in the hot zone and 27-28 in the cool zone the misting is being done lightly as they are all bathing quite alot as well. They are getting calcium every second feed trying them on veg and pellets today 'cos i think variety in diet is v important.. no mealworms newspaper substrate all have been seperated due to the crazy appetites I'm not keen on using sandoz if i don't have to.. not even sure if its available down this way? I have 10 other beardies and have had 3 successfull clutches in the last year and had no issues like this I'm just sadened by their condition it's probably one of the worst things i've seen thanks again all for your help!

[Kirby]

uv brand?

[Kirby]

also good to see you seperated they can get a little too hungry at times..

do you have a herp vet in your area?

[itbites]

nec blacklights but prefer natural daylight, i really am not keen on my local reptile vet but he's methods although "old school" still work and have already decided to take them in if they are no better by tuesday. Yeh i had to seperate them because they were trying to eat each other at meal times

[Miss B]

The Sandoz is just a liquid calcium supplement, it's available from most pet stores.

I know who you got them from too and it sounds like a good idea that they are getting out of reptiles, if this is the kind of condition their animals are in.

[dragon lady]

yes...we all can get flustered
calcium every feed...it wont hurt ,at least until they catch up!

I too had a bad buy....last Aug....
supposed to be 8mnth,Red Female....he (Rory McLean...not clean..trust me!) posted Saz's Brat& Oscar pics
3 weeks later he freighted a just out the egg hatchy ...wasnt breathing!..... 2 grms...10cm
named her "Faith"....had to have some then....
i wanted a conviction.....he felt my dragon breath...full steam!
he is now going to court!

it was my personal 1st buy on the net......left a bad taste!