Draco has lost his appetite

[dracoowner]

Hi all, for the last few days Draco doesn't seem interested in his hoppers or veg. It's always been a struggle to get him to eat his veg, but if I hand feed him he usually eats enough, but this week he hasn't had any and has probably had around 4 or 5 hoppers in 2 days, when he usually has at least10 a day. Could it be dehydration, as he hasn't had as many baths as he usually does. He's 16 monthhs and around 20 inches

 

[Buggsy]

It may be brummination, at this time of year they start to slow down,. If your temps are ok, and nothing has changed i would get a fecal done, its always good to check before they go down for the big sleep!

Is he sleepy?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

That will play a part in a beardie! Can you tell us about your set up as in what type of uvb bulb do you have and how old is it also what are the temps and how are you measuring them?

 

[dracoowner]

Hi, I thought brumation but thought it would be too early. He has been sleepy and very lazy. I've got an arcadia 12% uv bulb, that's only about 4 weeks old, and his temps are between 32-35c, and I measure it with a digital thermometer with 2 probes.

 

[Buggsy]

are they his basking temps? Basking temps should be about 40c so that may be playing a part! There are already some dragons down for the count. Like i said if all else is good, just get a fecal done to be sure!

 

[dracoowner]

thats the temp on his hot side, but i havent checked his definate basking temp, shall i check that now or wait till tomorrow to get the daytime basking temp? what will happen when he goes into brumation? are there any articles i canr ead as i havent dealt with this yet.

and where can i get a fecal done?

 

[Buggsy]

Lol sorry!

I would wait till tommorow to get an accurite reading.

Here is a realy informative article on brummination:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/

And a fecal test, ring around yor local vets and see if they deal with reptiles. When youve found one, usually they will look at the poop without needed to see the dragon, and call you if something is wrong.I take it your in the UK with an arcadia bulb, where abouts??

 

[dracoowner]

thanks for the article and advice. ill ring around tomorrow to try and find some vets that deal with reptiles. im in birmingham

 

[Buggsy]

Lol its ok, hope you find one!

 

[dracoowner]

i rang around everywhere, but no reptile vets but, ive did his temps and they are around 36-37 on his basking spot. he's sleeping atm by the front f the viv atm, do you think its brumation?

 

[Buggsy]

ok, so you need to get those temps up, if hes too cold he wont be able to digest any food and get nutrients, can you either raise the basking spot or put a higher wattage bulb in??

 

[dracoowner]

ive raised his temps lately but he's just slowed down even more. he's sleeping a lot in the day and is currently lying with his head under a blanket in his viv. are these definate signs of brumation?

 

[Buggsy]

Everyone is different, but i think the generalises signs are chilling out, sleeping during the day, and hanging out at the cool end of the viv!

Have you read the article on brumination? its very informative.

 

[dracoowner]

ye i read the article and found it really good. my only concern is that he was sleeping under a blanket today, and when i felt him to check he was ok he was really cold. i cant get the temps much higher than they are but im worried about him getting so cold he wont be able to move to warm up. is there anything i can do, because he wont go into the hide i made him.

 

[Buggsy]

I go through the same thing! what are the night time temps/cool end temps? Im sure if they are in the normal range he will always be able to move if he wants. Sometimes, to check if it is brummination or just being cold, i put Gizmo on the basking spot, if she moves its brummination, if she stays to get warmed up and spends the day there, is just being a bit chilly and i increase the night temps a little.