Advice needed please on brumation

Several weeks ago after having a reduced appetite and a negative parasite test, our 1 year old Rankins dragon was being treated for a possible respiratory infection by one vet although this diagnosis was disputed by a second.

In the end he completed an antibiotics course and we were just getting him to eat a small dose of oxbow herbivore twice daily over the last few days and he had pooped a couple of times which all looked regular.

Prior to this whole period he had shown signs of occasionally preferring a cold, dark corner of his terrarium and we had asked the vet at the time if he might be trying to brumate but they didn't really want to comment. Yesterday he decided to stay in his cold corner the whole day and this morning he's still there with his eyes closed so we're pretty sure now that he's trying to brumate.

My main questions are:

Do we allow him to continue given that he had maybe been ill a few weeks ago?

Subsequent to his last poop, because we didn't know he was going to brumate we had given him a small amount of the oxbow and he hadn't really had a great deal of time to fully digest it, let alone poop it out. Is it still safe for him to brumate or should we try and keep waking him up until he has another poop?

Thanks

Hi there, I think it's safe to let him sleep a bit. They generaly do fine even with a bit of food in the stomach. As long as the temps. don't go below 68 [ since there's a SLIGHT chance he had a mild R.I ] I wouldn't worry at all.

Thanks for the reassurance, he's on a small towel with another one on top, so in a comfortable spot.
I had a quick peek yesterday and was met by a glare :evil: so I guess he wants to be left alone.
I've increased the overall room temperature so he'll stay around 21 C overnight. I'm still putting the basking lamp on for reduced hours over day but that won't impact his "cold" spot much and I've turned off the UV. I've never left any water in the terrarium in the past as he's just totally ignored it, so any hydration has been from food or been offered such as drops on his nose from syringe.
Up to going into brumation he was fairly well hydrated. Is it wise to try and offer water? If so how often would you recommend? Or do you just recommend to leave him alone?

Thanks again, it's appreciated.

Hello Les,

I really think he just wants to nap & be lazy for awhile. Since he seems healthy & is maintaining
his weight right now, you can just let him snuggle in his little blankie so he is happy.
He should pick up for you real soon.
Keep us posted on him!

Tracie