For about 3 weeks now my female beardie has not been eating or basking. I know her temps are all correct. She still wont bask, she spends her time on the cool side of our 50gal tank. She will be one in September. I took her to the vet and of course she has pinworms. They felt around for eggs and didnt feel any. The pinworms were treated a week ago now. Still not eating or basking. Everyone keeps saying shes too young for brumation, but I really think that's what is going on. She looks healthy and hasn't lost weight.
She is to young and it is summer! Correct where you are? Please post pics of tank and lighting -- I am guessing its the lighting in the tank - we can better help if we see -- how old is she - I should of asked that first-- sorry
Karrie
I've been told by many breeders that they can brumate as young as 7 or 8 months. Also, the season doesnt matter since in the southern hemisphere its winter right now. Its embedded in their DNA is what I was told. Her lighting is all correct. I had someone go over it all with me. I just dont know what else it could be.
T 8's should be 6-8 inches w/ cover off bulb--- I have not been told they brumate that young- semi where they still eat and bask but not completely stop - I would move UVB and see if it changes her behavior
Karrie
The T 8 bulb is not strong enough to illuminate the UVB rays that far --- she is not getting enough UVB rays and that is the reason for the not eating sleeping behavior -- it will continue until you fix it ---- and she will begin to lose weight -
Karrie
Its 8" from both of her basking spots and 10" from the bottom of the tank. This is what the breeder told me was correct and another liable source who helped me fix everything.
So the bulb is new it sounds like-- what was in there before you replaced the UVB? https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/?page=1
Its very rare for a Beardie that is under a year old to brumate, unless they were born extremely early in the year and are rapidly approaching a year old when cold weather sets in, however it is possible.
What are her basking temps? and how are you taking them? Infrared heat gun ? stick ons? digital probe?
Karrie
Ok so that all sounds good-- she has me stumped-- no eggs- pin worms are cleared up? Some others on here are gonna haft to weigh in on ideas-- have you weighed her to see if she is losing weight? What about pooping? Is she dehydrated?
Karrie
She is 360 grams 16" long. I'm not sure which meds were prescribed. I will have to check tomorrow. Yes, no eggs. Just to be sure I put some sand in her cage, but no interest.
I havent seen any urates since shes not eating. I put her on Reptiboost a couple days ago, via the veterinarians reccomendation, and she had a tiny poop yesterday. That's it in the past week or so. She had another small one in her bath before that. Just enough for a stool sample though.