Sick Bearded Lizard

[DomsBoots]

We were given two Bearded lizards yesterday, by someone no longer able to care for them. Usual assurances - eats well, drinks from bowl blah blah blah...

I had a look today (wasn't there to pick them up) and the female is very thin and lethargic.

They won't eat in front of me, but I left them food, (dead mealworms and banana, and some mealyworms was gone when I got back. I assume the male ate it. She doesn't seem to be drinking either, and I think she is dehydrated?

I read to try spraying them with water, but has anyone any suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[KaotikJezta]

Why are you feeding dead food. It is possible she is going to brumate or the male is dominating her. I would separate them and get some live food. Banana is not great for lizards. They wont eat in front of you because you just got them and they will be stressed out. How old are they, what is the temperature of the basking spot, do you have a UVB 10.0 light and how old is it. What heating are you using.

 

[DomsBoots]

We have them in an outdoor enclosure, so there is no heating, also have shinglebacks and blue tongues outdoors. We are in Qld so the temps are pretty good.

I don't trust mealworms alive, I know there is debate as to whether they will eat through stomachs, but I would rather safe then sorry, so I kill them before I feed out.
I will remember about the banana thanks.

I will separate them and maybe try some roaches and salad tomorrow.

Not sure how old they are, but they are both about 30cm from nose to tail if that helps?

They were kept in a tiny box by previous owner, no light or heat, and no outside time. Didn't look like they had been cleaned for a long time, so I wouldnt be suprised if they are ill

 

[KaotikJezta]

If they are outside they may be getting ready to brumate. They would also probably be a little freaked out going from a small enclosure/box to a large outside setup.

 

[saintanger]

whats temps are you getting during the day?

they need 32-34 to be able to digest what they eat, if they do not get the right heat the food could rot in their stomaches and make them sick or even kill them.

also live gut loaded food is best, woodies, meal worms but not to much and crickets.

bok choi and shredded carrot, and fruit should be feed as a treat apple ect

if its to cold they wont eat.

also every secound day make sure they get calcium and multi vitamin powder added to their food, and do they get natural sunlight in their outdoor enclosure?

 

[DomsBoots]

Ok, I guess I will just have to wait for them to settle in, and just keep a eye on them for now. I will take your advice and separate them.

Thankyou for all your help. Much appreciated

 

[Wally]

If the previous husbandry was as bad as you say I wouldn't expect any changes in behavior to occur overnight. It's not a great time of year to be trying to rehabilitate a neglected reptile either given we're moving into cooler temperatures, though being in QLD should help somewhat. Good luck!

 

[picaloandlola]

Seperate the male and female, if the female is significantly thinner it could be a dominance issue.. also everything that has been stated above - dusting food with calcium every feed and vitimins every couple of feeds ! Making sure the temperatures are warm enough for digestion of food and that the UV is high enough to process the calcium ect ! If the female is looking as bad as you say perhaps get her into an indoor enclosure where you can heat her up and give her plenty of UV and monitor her for a few weeks to fatten her up before she starts to slow down for winter if the out door temps are not reaching their optimum for the lizards....

 

[Whp71]

Given last nights temps and even this morning feels cool Id be bringing them indoors, keep them heated through winter so they can be kept on the mend under UV.

If they have had no UV light all there lives then Id also be taking them to a vet for medical treatment as its going to be difficult to rehabilitate without proper attention.

 

[DomsBoots]

Rang the previous owner, he says they are 3 year olds, and it's been 2 months or so since they had UV, he left them with a friend while he was looking for a new place to stay.

The male actually looks quite healthy, he is very alert etc, and not thin. I separated the female, got to build her a bigger enclosure if she is staying here, but she ate a bit yesterday so looking up.

Thanks all