10 Year Old Dragon Not eating/Losing Weight, Is he dying??

[VeerinsMom]

Hi, this is my first time on the Forum. I need help with my 10 year old Male Bearded Dragon, Veerin. He has ALWAYS been very happy and healthy. The last 2 months, he is eating very little and is losing weight. I know he is getting older, but I just am wondering if this is normal behaviour due to his old age. His enclosure is fine, temps great, Power Sun Light is good, I can get him to eat a few bites but of veggies or fruit and I am lucky if he will eat 2 -3 crickets 2 times a week. He does like to drink water. His poop is normal color/texture, though very little bit now. He is walking much slower and just looks very tired. Spends most of his time sleeping. I am worried because he has lost so much weight and doesn't have much interest in food at all. Is this normal for a Senior Beardie or is he just telling me he is tired. I Love him so much!!!

UPDATE: I just read all the info on the Power Sun Lights....I had just changed Veerin's light to a new Power Sun about 2 months ago. So I just changed out the Power Sun Bulb to one of my "stand-by" Zoo Med Halogens. I will observe him for a few days and see if that makes a difference. He lives in a Very Large Custom Made enclosure 4ftx4ftx3ft (he has lived in this for the last 8 years). The Power Sun was the main bulb and he has a second basking area with a Zoo Med bulb. I have 3 bearded dragons they all live in seperate enclosures; the other two were born in May 12, 2007 and are very healthy. I will let you know if changing out this Power Sun Bulb has made any change.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Do you have any pictures of your boy?
How old was the Powersun, two months old, so you had used one of the newer ones then? You are just using a halogen bulb right now over him?
Try taking him outside for some sunlight for short periods of time to see if helps to perk him up a little bit. How often do you give calcium to him? Do you give multivitamins as well?
What are the temperatures in the tank?
You might think about getting a fecal done, to see if he has parasites or worms.
At 10 years, he is a senior & their life span is on average 8-12 years, but sometimes longer.

Part of his lethargic behavior could be due to the light. There isn't really any mercury vapor bulbs that are all that great. The Reptisun 10 tube bulb is the safest light, but the jury is still out on the T-Rex & Powersun bulbs.

Tracie

 

[Terminator7777]

I have heard on here it could be brumating and if anyone else thinks the same then i would look into that. I have a dragon two that is also over ten years but still running wild and runs for supers. Good luck

 

[diamc]

A beardie should not be brumating this time of year so that can be ruled out.

VeerinsMom, have you had him checked for parasites? If not, that would be a good idea.

 

[Terminator7777]

Hmmm interesting i heard on here that if there over there first year of age they would be starting brumation now. Hmmm kinda odd i just recently read that in a forum.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Generally brumation does not start until cooler weather approaches in the fall/winter months. Unless you are in another part of the world where it is cold, then your beardie should not be brumating right now.
You may have read that beardies do not brumate until they are a year old and just misunderstood it. Beardies typically do not start brumating or "should not" brumate in their first year of life. Their first year is when they are doing most of their growing and need to be eating and active in order to grow and thrive properly.

 

[Terminator7777]

Generally brumation does not start until cooler weather approaches in the fall/winter months. Unless you are in another part of the world where it is cold, then your beardie should not be brumating right now.
You may have read that beardies do not brumate until they are a year old and just misunderstood it. Beardies typically do not start brumating or "should not" brumate in their first year of life. Their first year is when they are doing most of their growing and need to be eating and active in order to grow and thrive properly.

What are the side effects of brumating so when its that time for my babys to experience this problem down the road???

 

[Chryss]

Actually there is an article on here that states that even though it is summer here, it is winter in Austrailia and if your beardie has really strong instincs, their body's time clock could tell them it is time to brumate and there have been some that do. I was concerned because Alvin is definately acting like he is and I know he didn't in the winter and he is 2.

 

[ian37]

Hello there... our beautiful Draggi was fine (if slowing down a bit) until just a few months back, but then went into rapid decline. I hope that isn't happening to your Veerin, but you need to prepare yourself. 10 is a good age for a dragon, ours was around the nine year mark and the vet said he died of old age. We're not entirely sure if our Draggi became rather short-sighted if not a bit blind in his last months, he either could not see, or had no interest in crickets immediately in front of him.

In his last few weeks, he would not swallow crickets directly fed to him (not a pleasant task). Finally, he refused to eat vegetables and died a few days later. This was just about a week ago and, frankly, I don't think we're anywhere near to letting him go yet. Sorry for this, but I feel it's only fair to warn you that it's the way it's probably going to go. A specialist vet couldn't help him.

Make sure you give Veerin all the attention he's comfortable in receiving, make sure there's nothing you're likely to regret after. These little angels certainly leave a big hole in your world when they finally depart. All the best.

 

[VeerinsMom]

Thank you everyone for your comments/suggestions. Veerin seems to be doing a little better since I removed the Power Sun Bulb. I don't know how to put up pictures on here yet; but his enclosure is a very large custom built enclosure we made for him when he was 2 years old. He has different "basking areas" within the enclosure and the temps inside vary in the different areas....all his temps are good....the only change I had made was putting in the Power Sun Bulb and remving his smaller "basking lights" and I am thinking that is what caused the problems!! Veerin has "brumated" each year since he was 2 and my other 2 dragons each brumate from about October to Feb. Veerin's appetite has increased in the last week and he has been a little more alert and active. Of course he is a little slower, which I believe is due to his age. He is not showing any signs of being in distress or in any type of pain....his coloring is good, and his eyes look better since I removed that Power Sun Bulb. He also gets regular "outside sunshine" at least 3 - 4 times a week for 30 minutes to 1 hour and he loves that; he also loves his 2-3 times a week soakings!! So I think Veerin will be fine,,,but yes, he is getting up there in age and I know my time with him could end at any time. I will just enjoy the time we have left together. Veerin is a real special Beardie, we love him very much. If I notice any more changes, or if he shows any signs of distress or if he stops eating again, I will definitely have him evaluated by the Vet, but right now, he seems to be doing better and his appetite has increased.....I know part of this is his aging, but I really think that Power Sun Bulb was a problem for him....Veerin is very set in his ways, and he doesn't like change . I have to leave on Friday for a week, but my Daughter and Son-in-Law will be here taking care of him, so I know he will be in good hands and they know to take him to the Vet if there are any problems!! I will let you know how he is doing when I get back. Thank you again everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it!!!

 

[VeerinsMom]

Ian, I am so sorry to hear about Draggi's passing...Yes, I am preparing myself, as I know Veerin is getting to be an elderly beardie...it is hard seeing him slow down. Veerin is my little buddy, as I am sure Draggi was yours too!!! Again, I am so sorry to hear of Draggi's passing; take care!!!