Aging Beardie

[PuffPuff11]

When I got Puff two years ago the owners said that he was 11 or 12...
So that means he is either 13 or 14 this year!!!
He is my first beardie and is doing great but I am wondering if there is anything extra I should be doing to keep him healthy?
He started brumating in 2009 around September and just recently came out of it last week (this is what he did last year as well) I think it is kinda early to start and to finish but I guess it is what works for him. I offer him greens regularly but he doesn't touch them unless I hand feed them to him. But If I give him Superworms he goes after them like mad and could probably eat at least 15 if I let him. I figure he is old let him eat what he wants to a point.
He has been basking since last week and moving around the cage more.
The thing I am mostly concerned with is, he doesn't move around alot, sometimes he will stay on his hammock for days and sleep most of the time. When he makes it to his basking area he stays there for hours and moves just out of the spot to sleep. Often times after I feed him I have to put him in his basking area to make sure he digests his food because he will go straight to him hammock.
He hasn't pooped since he woke up last week, but I haven't bathed him yet either... he poops regularly so I am not worried about that.

In general he seems healthy, just wanted some advise on anything extra I should be doing for him.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Wow! 13 or 14 yrs old... that is wonderful!
Sounds to me as if you are doing a great job already. His behavior is pretty normal for an older beardie.
The brumating is different for all of them, no worries there!

I have a beardie who is almost 7 yrs old and it is a constant battle for me to get her to eat her greens. If you can handfeed them to Puff, then I say keep doing that, if it is the only way to get them in him. As for the supers... that is great that he is eating that many for you! Try to keep it to 40-50 a week. Those older ones can pack on the pounds, so to speak, lol, if overfed.

Are you supplementing with calcium and multivitamins?

I would definitely recommend bathing him, especially since he was brumating for the past few months. You don't want him to get dehydrated. In my opinion, some beardies do not always get enough water from simply bathing. Syringe feeding him water, at least once a week, along with the baths I think is a good way to maintain proper hydration.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about him laying in one spot for a long time. The older ones become very lazy and tend to do that. At times... I also have to move my beardie to different spots in her viv.

 

[PuffPuff11]

I figured he is just lazy and maybe tired.... he often sleeps during the day when his lights are on... but I figure he old so he needs naps.
I said he would and could eat eat 15 supers at a time... I usually only give 4-5 at a time like 2x a week. I don't feed him too many because he could get gout.

I give him calcium on his worms 1x a week he also has a megaray basking bulb and he spends the summer outside in his huge enclosure, do you think he is too old to stay outside during the summer?

I will probably bathe him today or tomorrow... I usually bathe him 1x a week, (that is when he poops). I haven't been bathing him lately because he has been brumating but I definitely will before Monday.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

No, I don't think he is too old to stay in his enclosure outside during the summer. As long as he has a shady spot to get out of the sun... he should be fine

The calcium is recommended 3 x a week for adult dragons, along with multivitamins 1 x a week.

Puff is obviously in good hands :wink: I would love to see a pic of Puff if you get time to post one!

 

[PuffPuff11]

Here are some pics from about a year ago... I will get some recent ones soon.

Puff's cage and little cart that can roll around

Sleeping on his hammock

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

He looks wonderful for his age! I love the one of him in his hammock... too sweet!
What a brilliant idea making a hammock out of a piece of towel. You rarely see cloth ones. Looks much more comfortable then the green mesh ones they sell in the stores and Puff seems to love it.
Thanks for the pics! Yes, recent ones would be nice as well :wink:

 

[Angiecountrygirl]

Wow, I can't believe how old your beardie is... that's amazing. You must be a great beardie parent, and to take on an older adult, that is wonderful. It doesn't sound like you have much to worry about - I would just keep up with the baths to make sure Puff stays hydrated. I love the pictures, and look forward to seeing more current ones. He's very handsome. :wink: