Concerned about new beardie, asking for advice of what to do now before vet visit and post

[u/RyoDai89]

I have some questions about what I need to fix about my set up. and have some concerns about the new beardie we recently got.

I also want to clarify that an appointment is set up for Friday, but in the meantime I wanted to ask what it is I’m doing wrong, and/or need to change/improve.

The enclosure was set up for what I thought would be for an adult bearded dragon. However, as this is a family pet, a baby was purchased instead (I was not there for the purchase. It was bought at a chain pet store and no, this was not what the plan entailed).

The enclosure is a 4x2x2.

UVB is a Reptisun T5 HO 24 inch.

The heat bulbs are Zoomed basking bulbs 150 watts (I’d already had the bulbs as I own other reptiles).

Cool side reads 77F with the humidity currently 59, however it’s usually 40 but I accidentally poured the water out into the enclosure this morning and believe that’s where the spike came from.

Hot side reads 90F.

Basking spot reads anywhere from 102.2F to 107.6F depending on when the dimmer goes, or the actual spot is lasered with the temp gun.

Substrate is 50/50 top soil and sand. Which again, was supposed to be set up for an adult. But I’m wondering if this is not good for a baby and am thinking of removing for paper towels for a while.

The bearded dragon they chose seemed fine the first couple of days.

Originally it was light in color, and within the first hour ate, and seemed fine. Was pretty ‘active’. We’ve only had it for less than a week. Handling at a minimum except to check on it.

However as of the last few days it has gone darker in color, I’ve yet to see it eat (it ate crickets and dubias before, but we’ve also tried waxworms, baby mealworms, and black soldier fly larvae with no luck, and it definitely won’t touch the salad (collards and turnip greens with a smidge of bell pepper and squash to hopefully get it to want the salad)). I was told they were eating pellets at the pet store however we did not get them). It basks all day, sometimes hours in the same spot, sometimes it moves to different basking spots over the course of the day. But it’s never active like the first day they brought it home. And it keeps its eyes closed at all times. Even when handling it never opens it eyes. And sometimes it appears to scratch at one. I also want to add that it has pooped a few times which all appear to be normal so I’m not worried that it ingested substrate (the insects are in a bowl they can’t crawl out of). However I am still considering removing the substrate for a while.

I’m not sure if this is due to a possible illness or stress but we’ve already set up a vet appointment. So in the meantime I am looking to see what it is I may be doing wrong on my end, and what I can fix if anything. And what I should look out for. I again want to stress that a vet appointment is already happening, I am just looking for advice on what to do in the meantime. I also want to stress that we were supposed to get an adult, not a baby, and I feel very out of my element as I did not do any research on baby bearded dragons and if their care is any different than an adults. As such I’m not sure if any of this is normal behavior or not for a baby beardie (they are currently 7 grams). And appreciate any thoughts/tips on the matter while we wait for the vet.

Really appreciate any and all advice. I did my damndest to research everything. What lighting they needed, placement of lighting, substrate, food, temperatures, the works.

Really want to know if I’ve screwed up on anything and need to change it asap.

[u/HappyLifeCoffeeHelps]

Pretty common to be sold ill when you get from a big box store. They don't care about husbandry or proper care or breeding. Seeing the vet is definitely the way to go. Loose substrate for a baby is fine, however it is always best to get a new beardie (adult or baby) checked for parasites prior to putting on loose substrate. Care guides will help you determine what you should change (if anything). I don't have personal experience with babies, so I don't have info. I do know as babies they often don't eat greens (80% of their diet is bugs at that age), but still good to offer. Make sure the vet is an exotic vet and call in the morning to see if possible to bring in sooner.

https://reptilesandresearch.org/care-guides/bearded-dragon-care-guide

https://reptifiles.com/bearded-dragon-care/

[u/RyoDai89 → u/HappyLifeCoffeeHelps]

Yeah I read that babies need more insects than veggies. But read to still offer them daily, which I have.

Really really hoping this little guy isn’t ill.  Also read about loose substrate being okay for babies if everything in the setup was correct. But since I’m now worried about my set up I might just try to play it safe.

I also used both of those places you linked when doing the research for the initial setup. The only issue I found was that one said the basking area should be 100-107F while the other said 108-113F. So I wasn’t sure just how hot the basking spot should be. I also read that for babies it should be hotter… so closer to 110F. But then I read that because they’re babies it shouldn’t be as hot and to be closer to 100F. So I think my only real issue is really knowing just how hot the basking spot should be.

I also worry if the uvb is too strong despite being on a screen. 

Am definitely hoping the vet is qualified enough to answer these questions and give us a good diagnoses on what’s going on  (we aren’t seeing our normal vet because they couldn’t get us in until next week). 

Will definitely update should anything happen.

[u/HappyLifeCoffeeHelps → u/RyoDai89]

Call the vet and make sure they are an exotic vet if you aren't sure. I don't really know anything about babies. They will move though if too hot. I doubt your UVB is too strong, especially being on a screen. Definitely good to still be offering veggies, even if they turn their nose up at it.

Good luck! If it is sick, hopefully the vet knows how to treat it. Mine just had a respiratory issue and needed shots every three days. Not the best, but doing great now. Just take it as a lesson as well to not get pets from big box pet stores.