Brumating, Gravid, Sick, Stressed?

Beardie name(s)
Ryu
Hi! So my smol lady is brumating (I think?). Since early October she's been refusing food, chilling in her hide or on a warm rock under her hammock, and not pooping nearly as much. However, all of this is only *sometimes*. I'm nervous about it because this would be her first winter brumating (she's like 1.5 yo), and we had just gotten her healthy after a parasite and GI infection in September. Fast forward to the last week or so, she's been grumpy, hungry and more active, but isn't much of a fan of being handled, which is weird af for her, she's usually very cuddly. A couple days ago I gave her a bath and felt two lil lumps in her belly that were about the same shape and size, so I'm thinking pregs maybe? But then today she had a seriously difficult time pooping, so now I'm wondering impaction maybe? Very active and alert today. Throughout the last two months of this half-assed (what I assume is) brumation she hasn't lost any weight... might have gained about 20g, actually. The constant stress marks are why I'm wondering if something else is going on. Also, we had to take a tiny road trip last weekend, so I suppose that could be another circumstance, though she did fine on the trip. Do all these symptoms fall under brumation and possible gravidity or should I take her to a vet? Any opinions or first-hand anecdotes appreciated. Thanks, everyone!
Other important details:
-skin texture and color are healthy
-eyes not sunken or bulged
-no weakness in the hind legs but definitely isn't jumping as enthusiastically as usual
-UV lighting is reptizoo 10.0 + a UVB mercury vapor basking light (both checked weekly)
-she gets salad and gargeer / salad + grasshoppers on an every-other-day schedule
-food reinforced with calcium, D3 and probiotics
-cool side of tank is usually 78-82, basking spot usually 94-102
-we're a little low on humidity lately since it's cold af and dry outside, but still working with 20% on the cool side and 15% on the hot side.
 

Austinnnnn23

Member
Beardie name(s)
Leatherback Beardie: Rico 5 y/o Tangerine AFT: Toothless 1 y/o
I wouldnt say shes preg because beardies lay way more then 2 mine layed 19 one year so I would say its either impaction or an infection
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hi! So my smol lady is brumating (I think?). Since early October she's been refusing food, chilling in her hide or on a warm rock under her hammock, and not pooping nearly as much. However, all of this is only *sometimes*. I'm nervous about it because this would be her first winter brumating (she's like 1.5 yo), and we had just gotten her healthy after a parasite and GI infection in September. Fast forward to the last week or so, she's been grumpy, hungry and more active, but isn't much of a fan of being handled, which is weird af for her, she's usually very cuddly. A couple days ago I gave her a bath and felt two lil lumps in her belly that were about the same shape and size, so I'm thinking pregs maybe? But then today she had a seriously difficult time pooping, so now I'm wondering impaction maybe? Very active and alert today. Throughout the last two months of this half-assed (what I assume is) brumation she hasn't lost any weight... might have gained about 20g, actually. The constant stress marks are why I'm wondering if something else is going on. Also, we had to take a tiny road trip last weekend, so I suppose that could be another circumstance, though she did fine on the trip. Do all these symptoms fall under brumation and possible gravidity or should I take her to a vet? Any opinions or first-hand anecdotes appreciated. Thanks, everyone!
Other important details:
-skin texture and color are healthy
-eyes not sunken or bulged
-no weakness in the hind legs but definitely isn't jumping as enthusiastically as usual
-UV lighting is reptizoo 10.0 + a UVB mercury vapor basking light (both checked weekly)
-she gets salad and gargeer / salad + grasshoppers on an every-other-day schedule
-food reinforced with calcium, D3 and probiotics
-cool side of tank is usually 78-82, basking spot usually 94-102
-we're a little low on humidity lately since it's cold af and dry outside, but still working with 20% on the cool side and 15% on the hot side.
She may be gravid - any digging? Her uvb bulb is a reptizoo Where is it top of screen or inside the tank? This is crucial- brumation is when your dragon is sleeping all the time so this is not brumation- everything sounds good for your tank but if your using a retptizoo bulb there are better bulbs I can post for you
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hi! So my smol lady is brumating (I think?). Since early October she's been refusing food, chilling in her hide or on a warm rock under her hammock, and not pooping nearly as much. However, all of this is only *sometimes*. I'm nervous about it because this would be her first winter brumating (she's like 1.5 yo), and we had just gotten her healthy after a parasite and GI infection in September. Fast forward to the last week or so, she's been grumpy, hungry and more active, but isn't much of a fan of being handled, which is weird af for her, she's usually very cuddly. A couple days ago I gave her a bath and felt two lil lumps in her belly that were about the same shape and size, so I'm thinking pregs maybe? But then today she had a seriously difficult time pooping, so now I'm wondering impaction maybe? Very active and alert today. Throughout the last two months of this half-assed (what I assume is) brumation she hasn't lost any weight... might have gained about 20g, actually. The constant stress marks are why I'm wondering if something else is going on. Also, we had to take a tiny road trip last weekend, so I suppose that could be another circumstance, though she did fine on the trip. Do all these symptoms fall under brumation and possible gravidity or should I take her to a vet? Any opinions or first-hand anecdotes appreciated. Thanks, everyone!
Other important details:
-skin texture and color are healthy
-eyes not sunken or bulged
-no weakness in the hind legs but definitely isn't jumping as enthusiastically as usual
-UV lighting is reptizoo 10.0 + a UVB mercury vapor basking light (both checked weekly)
-she gets salad and gargeer / salad + grasshoppers on an every-other-day schedule
-food reinforced with calcium, D3 and probiotics
-cool side of tank is usually 78-82, basking spot usually 94-102
-we're a little low on humidity lately since it's cold af and dry outside, but still working with 20% on the cool side and 15% on the hot side.
She may be gravid - any digging? Her uvb bulb is a reptizoo ?Where is it top of screen or inside the tank? This is crucial- brumation is when your dragon is sleeping all the time so this is not brumation- everything sounds good for your tank but if your using a retptizoo bulb there are better bulbs I can post for you
 

tinydinosaurmum

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Ryu
She may be gravid - any digging? Her uvb bulb is a reptizoo Where is it top of screen or inside the tank? This is crucial- brumation is when your dragon is sleeping all the time so this is not brumation- everything sounds good for your tank but if your using a retptizoo bulb there are better bulbs I can post for you
It's a reptizoo and it's hanging under the screen. She's not digging but glass/wall surfed a bit today. When she's active that's not unusual for her tho. I thought the reptizoo was people's go-to UV lamp? I'd appreciate any recommendation tho!
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
It's a reptizoo and it's hanging under the screen. She's not digging but glass/wall surfed a bit today. When she's active that's not unusual for her tho. I thought the reptizoo was people's go-to UV lamp? I'd appreciate any recommendation tho!
Use your fixture but change the bulb out to a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia 12% bulb -- those are the best on the market at this time --- distance should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- not sure if this will change the behavior -- what is the brand of the MVB? lighting and basking temps play a part in the behavior of the dragon--- how big is the tank she in?
 

tinydinosaurmum

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Ryu
Use your fixture but change the bulb out to a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia 12% bulb -- those are the best on the market at this time --- distance should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor piece -- not sure if this will change the behavior -- what is the brand of the MVB? lighting and basking temps play a part in the behavior of the dragon--- how big is the tank she in?
Oh wait sorry it is the reptisun 10 t 5. Is the arcadia better maybe? Mvp is reptizoo that was my b. She's in a 48x24x24 zen habitat.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Oh wait sorry it is the reptisun 10 t 5. Is the arcadia better maybe? Mvp is reptizoo that was my b. She's in a 48x24x24 zen habitat.
Your uvb is good - Arcadias are good the reptisun is just as good -- I use both--the retptizoo mvb not so much- if you want to keep the mvb I would change it out to a mega Ray - they are a better mvb-- or go to a regular solid clear bright white basking bulb like flukers - exo Terra intense- or Arcadia halogen-- i am thinking it's the mvb but won't know till you change it out
 

tinydinosaurmum

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Ryu
Your uvb is good - Arcadias are good the reptisun is just as good -- I use both--the retptizoo mvb not so much- if you want to keep the mvb I would change it out to a mega Ray - they are a better mvb-- or go to a regular solid clear bright white basking bulb like flukers - exo Terra intense- or Arcadia halogen-- i am thinking it's the mvb but won't know till you change it out
Will do thanks for the tips. Is it like.. hard to give them tol much uv? I hear horror stories because the internet.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Will do thanks for the tips. Is it like.. hard to give them tol much uv? I hear horror stories because the internet.
It can happen I guess I have not heard of this happening - as long as a dragon has a hide in the tank he would be able to get out of it- but they say 2/3 of the tank-- I have a 24" or half the tank for my fixture--
 

Members online

Latest resources

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

I miss you so much, Amaris 💔
What is a quick way to warm up a cold beardie? His heating element went out overnight and now he's very cold.
Pearl Girl wrote on moorelori1966's profile.
i feel so sad reading your about me 😢
Clapton is acclimating okay I think. He's quick as lightning so I'm not sure how much I should bring him out of his house yet. He's not at all interested in his salad though. I wonder if I should change what I'm giving him. Least he's eating his crickets.

Things to do:
Buy calcium powder
Material to raise surface for basking spot
Scenery decals for back of tank

Forum statistics

Threads
155,903
Messages
1,255,709
Members
75,967
Latest member
Newbeardiemom09
Top Bottom