Brumating? What would you do?

[RoscoTheBeardie]

Hi all. I have a question I hope you all can help. So whats going on with my BD? I'm wondering if she is trying to brumate or something else. And what should I do about my situation. First off sadly due to some very unexpected financial and health issues in our family we have to re-home our BD and the person is supposed to get her tomorrow. Here is the deal, she is sleeping (or resting in her hide) like nearly all the time and isn't eating very much at all. I have to remove her hide to get her to get up sometimes, sometimes she comes out. I feel bad re-homing a BD that I'm not sure what is going on with but I don't have any choice in the matter. I'm not sure her age but we got her 6 months ago and she was young at the time. She is about 16" long now. So, would you just leave her be or should I remove the hide during the day and get her warmed up to eat. When I do that she eats about 1/2 of what is normal for her. I would love to do a fecal test but like I said do to financial/health issues I can't afford to now. I would like to advise the the new owner accordingly but don't know what to tell her. Her temps and all that are fine and her lights are on 12 hrs a day.

 

[snazzyglasses]

Oh bummer. I'm sorry to hear about your money and health issues! Those are never fun
It does kinda sound like she could be brumating or semi-brumating, especially if her temps and UVB and such are correct (here's the article in case you haven't read it already http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/ ). It's getting to be brumation season, so it's definitely a possibility!
I think the best thing to do would be to be honest and tell the new owner how she's been behaving (maybe call today instead of waiting for him/her to get there tomorrow), but that you think it's probably just brumation. That's what I would do anyways, and that's what I hope someone would do for me if I was getting a beardie from them.

 

[Burra]

Sorry to hear about your situation. At least you are doing the right thing for your beardie. She could be brumating, especially if she is over a year. Tis the season! I agree the previous poster, call the new owner and let them know what is going on and that you suspect brumation.

And don't forget to direct the new owner to this website for the best advice on beardies!! I would even write it down for them so they don't forget.

 

[RoscoTheBeardie]

Thank you both!! Actually, I have already directed the new owner to this site hoping she would reference it a lot!! Also I did send her an email and explained that the beardie has been sleeping a lot and not eating as much and I have given her an out. I don't want to give her a problem if there is a real problem. I'm ok with her backing out because I do have another home for her as a back up. And the back up already has a beardie and feeds quality food so I'd feel comfortable either way. I just can't decide if I should be letting her be in her hide or force the issue and get her up. Today I got her up at 12pm and she ate more crickets than normal and did eat greens as well (not as much as normal). I have put her back to basking a few times to make sure she is digesting and I have her a nice long warm soak. She is sitting on her cool end waiting for her hide to be put back which I'm about to do since it is 6:30pm and her lights go off in an hour. She has had two hours since her last live feed so I'm ok with that. But, still I don't feel she basked enough. She isn't grumpy at all and still happy to be handled.

 

[RoscoTheBeardie]

Oh and she replied... "ok sounds good" to my long explanation. I'm hoping all will be well. I will try to advise her best when she comes tomorrow and hope for the best!!