Beardy is hiding

[snodipous]

Hello. I have a 2-year-old dragon who seems to be in excellent health. He eats a lot of crickets and vegetables, poops once a week or so, and he is fairly active (for a lizard). For the last while, though, he has been hiding out in a little cave we made for him. He has gone in there a few times and just laid there for a day or so. When I pull him out and put him on the branch in his basking area, he seems to wake up and get back to his normal self for a few days. This latest time, though, he's been in his cave for two days and hasn't come out at all.

I know about brumation, and I've read the article about it here. But I don't know how to tell the difference between a dragon who is brumating and one who is sick. Any thoughts? What are the signs that he's turning sick, rather than just doing his brumation thing? Also, is it bad for him if I pull him out?

thanks for the help

Cameron

 

[WAFisherman]

Do you bath him a few times a week in warm water?

Have the poos changed at all? (runny, or more stinky?)

My beardie goes through periods like that. The last time was during his shed cycle.

For parasites, start by keeping a clean cage and be sure you subrstrate is easy to clean. Sand and loose substrate can make sanitation hard and help the parasites... Same for a water dish in there.

Stress will make cause parasites to bloom as well.

Keep in mind that all critters pretty much have some kind of parasites at some level. Normally it isn't an issue if they are not stressed, are eating a well rounded diet, have good temps, humidity, UVB, etc. You can work in natural foods that help control parasites like pumpkin and butternut squash. I don't use crickets anymore - largely because they are suspected of passing on parasites.

If the the care\husbandry is good, and the only issue is being lethargic, I would not worry. Continue with the bathing\soaking and feeding a good well rounded diet and keep an eye out for other clues.