Brumation Haters Anonymous

[healthybeardie]

I guess just take the cues: It sounds like once they awake and get their bath, bask for a little bit, eat a little, bask some more, lights out at night, then the same for a day or so (+/- the eating), then when they're ready to "be down" for a few days, they'll make way to their cave. That's what Luther does, and some others on here also.

I just got finished telling my husband how lonely I am that Luther sleeps all day while he watches football all day (lol). :roll:

 

[AHT333]

I have a 2 (maybe 3) year old male beardie. I've had him for about 3 months now, and 2 months ago, he didnt poop for a month. He was eating fine, but not pooping. But, when he finally did poop, he stopped eating. I cant get him to eat anything at all. I have been force feeding him for the last month. His energy is ok. He walks around a bit in his tank, but mostly basks under his heat lamp. When I take him out of his tank, he runs around quite a bit. Is this brumation? Or do I have a sick beardie?

 

[beardie parents]

AHT333, the only way to answer your question is to take a fecal sample (I know, maybe to late) to the vet and have a fecal done. He's probably brumating but you can't tell for sure unless those tests are done. The symptoms of brumation are the same as illness.

 

[AHT333]

I actually had one done one month ago. There were parasite eggs and I dewormed him then. The other thing that was discovered though was that there was sand in his poop. His previous owner had him on sand and someone I know who worked in a vet clinic said to leave him on the sand should be ok since he was older and wasn't likely to eat it. So I left it against my better judgment. But as soon as I found that out I changed it to a reptile carpet. He didn't want to walk on it at first, but seems to be ok with it now. I did have an x ray taken at that time, and it did show sand in his colon and some maybe in his stomach. He has pooped several times since then, so I'm assuming its all gone now.

 

[healthybeardie]

AHT333 -- If he is healthy and indeed brumating, I don't think force feeding is a good idea. Here is a very informative link on brumation:

http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/?page=3

It's best to let nature take its course and take cues from your beardie.

 

[AHT333]

I guess I'm worried just in case its not brumation. His previous owner passed away so I have no history on him. I have no idea if he's done this before. And I'm scared that if its not brumation and I don't feed him, I may worsen whatever is causing this. I wish I had a clear answer!

 

[Jess]

Stop force feeding him for a week or 2, and see if he loses any weight. If its significant (more than 25g or so), its probably not brumation. If his weight stays pretty stable, just let him be.

 

[mdtalley22]

I swear Brumation is sooo annoying and boring...I brought John Casey to work once so now everyone always asks about him. But now all I get to say is "He sits in the same spot and really the only way I can tell he is alive is he opens his eyes every now and again. Or suddenly he will be laying in a new place." :roll: It is weird to think they can go for so long on like no food and not moving about! Hopefully he snaps out of it soon...

 

[healthybeardie]

AHT333 - If you don't already have one, I would recommend getting a digital kitchen scale that weighs in grams and start monitoring his weight regularly, and like what Jess says, keep tabs on if he is losing a lot. You can get the scales a Walmart for around $20. Keep us posted!

Also, I see your rather new to this board - Welcome!

Would you mind going over your set up (e.g. temperature, lights, tank size, diet) with us. That way we can help you out if there are some adjustments needed.

 

[RHETORIC]

My male is 1.5 years old, this is his first burmation. About 2 weeks ago he was down for almost a week then was up for a few days and has been down for about another week. He's not always sleeping, sometimes I poke my head in and see him just laying in his hide with his eyes like half open. He hasn't lost weight, I've only given him one bath since he first went down but every couple of days I'll mist him with some water if he's awake/half awake. I don't want to move him much because I don't want to make things more complicated. I was told to give him a bath every so often but I feel bad waking him so I haven't. I know that with my tegu, once its down I'm supposed to leave it.... I went to check on my dragon to see if he looked slim a few minutes ago and accidently woke him up.. Since he was up I gave him some baby food on a plate with some veggie mix. He's eating a little bit but now I'm wondering if I should have even fed him. I would hate for him to go back to sleep and have the food rot in his stomach.

 

[healthybeardie]

Hi RHETORIC:

I've only given him one bath since he first went down but every couple of days I'll mist him with some water if he's awake/half awake. I don't want to move him much because I don't want to make things more complicated. I was told to give him a bath every so often but I feel bad waking him so I haven't.

I don't think misting is a good idea at all. It can raise the humidity which can cause respiratory problems--especially since your beardie is not basking. Also, bearded dragons get hydration through their vent, so a weekly bath will be helpful in keeping him hydrated, then he can bask in order to dry off and if he wants to get away from the basking light, he wil and go back into his hide. Just look at the once a week bath as helping him to stay healthy while in brumation. When they are in the wild, they burrow and naturally get hydration from the moisture provided by the earth. If you havent read this alreay, its a great read all about brumation:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/?page=3

 

[healthybeardie]

bump

 

[Jess]

Good news: Dudley gained back 15g! Yay! He was 525g before brumation, and then he dropped down to 500, and as of last night he was at 515g again! And some one gave us fresh-from-the-garden butternut and acorn squash, so he better be hungry LOL... No one else in this house besides Dudley likes squash, and now he has 2 massive ones to eat. XD

Im uploading brumation pics here in a sec BRB!

 

[lovemylittleyoshi]

Hello my beardie loving friends! I have 8 to 9 month old beardie that this last week he goes to bed at 8 when his lights shut off at 9 36. He has not been eating alot enough to form a poop! Do you think the \is is to early for him to go into slight brumation! He goes in and out of his cave to take little naps through out the day!

 

[Jess]

Beard Smooshage.

There are more brumation pics in his thread! http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=128197

@lovemylittleyoshi: Is he losing any weight?