Black Beard

[sapphire_moon]

I was wondering........my mothers bearded dragon gets a very black "beard". What could that be from, he has weak back legs, is on a "calcium supplement". He (as of tonight) been seperated from the other beardie. He was having a soak........(his sides are VERY crinkly) and he dunked his head under water, and would not lift it up, so he got taken out of the water. A few minutes later he regurgated....What could that be from? As I mentioned he has very weak legs, not very big 1/4 of a pound, at about 1 ft (with tail). I kow it could be internal parasites or crypto, But I was wondering what other people think. This is not my bearded dragon and have already suggested they take him to a vet........as they refuse.

[jtpRUGGER]

Black beard is common for beardies. They do that to show aggression or fear. Please kidnap that beardie and take it to a vet.

[eyespy]

If he's severely dehydrated, even water will trigger vomiting. That animal needs to see a vet pronto!!

The black beard can just mean he's amorous, too. It's a sign of high hormone circulation.

[sapphire_moon]

Well he ate 3 wax worms......they feed them crickets every night, leave crickets in with them, have no digi thermom, no UVB, not alot of natural light, don't know if the calcium they use has D3 in it......:(.........he has really weak back legs, don't really move.....Usually don't do the black beard thing...

they had a 10 gal tank they seperated to put him in.....so it may be small but atleast he's seperated from the other one.....

[drewlowe]

Get this beardie to a vet and try to get him a UVB ASAP!!!
With no UVB they can get MBD (metabolic bone disiese).

Sorry i'm sure eyespy will give you more info, I would but i don't have the time right now. Please get that beardie to a vet though... even if you have to tie up you parents and snatch the beardie but he really needs help before it gets too late.

[burmer]

When my male beardie gets pissy his beard blacks up. It goes away in a few minutes though.

[sapphire_moon]

I'm trying my best, but "they don't have the money", which is understandable, but if you don't have the money for something, then you shouldn't have it.

I don't have the money for a 4ft cage for my BP, but he will be fine in what he is in (40 gal breeder) it isn't going to harm him, people keep them in 30 gal all their life.

But if I had to take my BP to the vet I would somehow find the money!

And believe me, if I had the extra money flying around I would. But we are saving our money for our animals, and to move!

[Big Mike]

Just because people keep them in a 30 gal all their lives...does not make it right. People jump off bridges too ;)

What your parents are doing is neglect and abuse. If they can't afford to care for it...find it a new home. Look for a herp society or animal rescue.