A Question for all Bearded dragon breeders! Please help

[Dragon_Lover_85]

Ok so I have a couple of mates whom breed bearded dragons, some are eastern some are central and some are colour morphs. 8)

Now a few of them are having trouble with what we refer to them as 'Stevie Wonderheads'

Now for those who dont understand our term I will try my best to explain the situation.
The little hatchies with this term seem to have a wondering head that tends to bend right back over sometimes to the the point of touching their own butt. Although it does not seem to affect the way they get around and eat to much they do have a tendency to get a head wobble up when the move and not to mention look a bit strange.

They are not born with this issue however we have seen it develop anywhere between 2weeks and maybe 2 months. It does dissapear in 99.5% of them after they shed so my question today is 'Has anyone else ever come across this and what is your opinion on what causes it? :?

 

[Dragon_Lover_85]

Bump!!

 

[Dragon_Lover_85]

Anyone? Surely someone here knows something.

 

[wiz-fiz]

i'm interested in this 2, seems weird.


Will

 

[bowdnboy]

Ahhh, yer. interesting, however unfortunately, no, Ive never seen this either??

 

[JasonL]

Suffering calcium issues (hypocacemia) possibly from being over heated.

 

[whyme]

Skin to taut from high temps when they hatch, hence the bent back heads and the normallity after they shed. Try light misting to soften the skin. If this isn't the case, then buggered if i know. Possibly it is a calcium def.

 

[Kirby]

has been nick named bobble-head syndrome.

from what i have experienced, usually a mix of over-heating and dehydration. when the middle ear dries, balance is uncontrollable. i've seen it in hatchling, juvenile, and even adult dragons.

Ive always treated it by hydrating the animal, and applying water, and even a small droplet of olive oil onto the dragons ear. in an attempt to rehydrate and lubricate the ear membrane and inner ear. keep allowing an appropriate cool side of 20C and a basking site no higher then 45C (keep in mind brain damage and serious injury is possible at 55C). Also a good idea to take out all ornaments and branches, so they cant fall, or roll. just the flat paper towel surface. recovery usually takes anything from 1-4 days.

good luck. check your temps and keep them hydrated.

 

[Bearded_Lady]

Suffering calcium issues (hypocacemia) possibly from being over heated.

I agree and I have seen it before. I've seen babies in this position (known as star gazing) and extreme ataxia. In the cases I've seen tho it was purely lack of calcium in the diet (undersupplementation). Once they began receiving an adequate amount of calcium the issue usually resolved.

 

[yewherper]

The same as jasonL said, the mother might not have got enough of calicum. This is why they can touch they can touch their back.

 

[whyme]

The same as jasonL said, the mother might not have got enough of calicum. This is why they can touch they can touch their back.

Just a question. If it is a calc. def. why the normality after the first shed. Really curious about this one. I've got bubbles heating at the moment.

 

[JasonL]

Over heating causes rapid growth rate to the point where the fast growing little dragons can't eat / metobolise enough calcium to fulfill their needs. Low calcium can effect muscle use and possibly brain function.

 

[whyme]

Over heating causes rapid growth rate to the point where the fast growing little dragons can't eat / metobolise enough calcium to fulfill their needs. Low calcium can effect muscle use and possibly brain function.

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but thanks. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[Dragon_Lover_85]

Thanks heaps guys for the input I will be sure to forward all your comments on.

Now as these are not my dragons I can only comment for now on what I have seen and will clarify later but I know these little dudes have all their insects dusted with calcium almost every feed (they are fed 4-5 times a day). So I cant see the calcium being a problem.

The hydration thing...well They do get misted regularly and have access to water dish (shallow one) so this theory may be questionable in this case too however the middle ear thing has got me thinking as it does make sense so I will def look into that one.

As for mum not getting calcuim while I remember all the mums get supplimented when it is breeding season in particular.

I am really glad to hear that this is not such an uncommon problem and that people are willing to share their experiences thanks heaps guys keep it coming and i'll keep you posted on what we come up with.

 

[Dragon_Lover_85]

Oh yah sorry I forgot to mention their heating is never allowed to go over 38 deg ( this heat is natural heat too) in all cases so this wouldnt be over heating would it?

 

[JasonL]

Here are some things any keeper should think about with reguards to heating;
For how many hours per day do you heat your dragon?
For how many hours of the day would a wild dragon receive the temps you are giving your captive ones?
How many days in a month would a wild dragon have bad weather and not bask at all?
Weight up the total amount of hours of both the wild dragon and your captive one and I bet your captive dragon receives at least double the amount of exposure to "ideal temperatures" than it's wild counterpart.

 

[Dragon_Lover_85]

Ok thanks jason that does make alot of sense as does your previous posts thankyou and i will be passing these on to my mates who are breedeing them. I have not had to counter any of these problems yet myself luckily as my CBD's are all juviniles still hawever I do have my first clutch of netteds due to hatch shortly so am getting nervous about that. All advise is great advise thanks.