Brumation Blues II

[pogismom]

Rocky is half brumation now. He stays in the cool side facing the wall splayed out on his rock. All day long. Occasionally I see him turn his head and peer at me through the corner of his eye. He isn't completely asleep. I take him out once or twice a week for a warm soak so he will poop. He hasn't pooped in over two weeks and I am concerned since he has nibbled on some food. After I bathe him he will go and bask so he gets a nibble on his way back to his cool side. I tried pumpkin, and applesauce to help get the poop started but nothing has happened.

I want him to poop so I can leave him along to sleep with exception of hydration baths. Im afraid if he doesn't he will have problems with undigested food in his intestines.

Any suggestions or experience with how to handle this? Thanks!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....what temps. is your tank right now, and do you have a cave or anything for him to get under ? Even a couple sheets of newspaper are acceptable....beardies really like to be hidden during brumation. Rocky is probably going to be fine, no need for panic if you haven't seen any poo from the last time he ate a bit. If he is sleeping part time, just bathe him once every 10 -14 days. If he's totally asleep, don't bathe at all. Or you can just offer a dripping of water on his snout [ only if he's awake ] but be sure to do it slowly, and mop up any excess water or better yet you can tuck a wadded paper towel under his chin to absorb any excess so that he stays dry. Brumation seems stressful from a human standpoint, but it's completely natural to out dragons and they know if they need to poo or not....Rocky should be fine

 

[pogismom]

THank you! Temps are @95. He does have a place he can go under but he prefers to sit on top of his cool side rock and prop his head up against the fleece pillow I made him facing the corner of the tank. He isn't completely asleep. Just napping and dazed. As you suggested I will continue to bath him once a week while he is not completely in deep sleep...

You are right it is more stressful on us than on them! My kids always stop by his tank and say 'aww, he is still brumating...." They keep asking me when he will be over his sleep and I say I honestly do not know but he will be fine when he does. For now we will just try to keep him hydrated and comfortable.

Thank you!

 

[AHBD]

Yes, when it comes to a winter slow down they all seem to do their own thing. Silly dragons ! So the hot side is 95 ? And how about the cool side ? If there's a way to keep it around 70 it will be more conducive to a bit of a deeper sleep. If the temps. on the cool side are too high it kind of disrupts the more natural sleep and it can keep their metabolism raised higher than it needs to be. You can also keep lights off for longer periods for a more natural cool down.

 

[pogismom]

Will definitely make some changes in the light and temps! Thanks!