Gagging and Spitting up water/saliva??

[blazinbeardie]

My beardie, Drake, has been brumating for weeks now. He wakes up occasionally and eats and drinks a little bit. He hasn't pooped in about 2 weeks. The past couple of times I've given him water (including when he indulged himself 2 weeks ago in his bath) he has been spitting the water back up. It almost looks like he's gagging because his tummy it contracting at the same time, his beard gets a little puffy, and he moves his tongue around his mouth. The water or saliva that comes up it bubbly and sticky and when I tried to pick him up this time he turned really pale but then went back to his normal coloring in a few minutes after I set him back down in his viv. I tried rubbing his belly to see if I could feel anything abnormal but that just made his belly contract more and his beard puff up. He's almost 7 years old, and I'm worried about him. Anybody know what's going on or what I should do????

 

[AHBD]

Hi there...watch him carefully to see that he hasn't developed a respiratory infection, like constant puffing out his beard + gasping. It may be that he aspirated some water, so don't bathe when he's brumating, it is pretty risky to do so. If he seems sick/ hard time breathing then bring the temps. back up to normal and increase them to 80 at night. During brumation the tank should be cool, lights on only about 8-9 hrs. a day, [ or not at all, but you can peek in to watch that he's really asleep ] and the dragon should be allowed to sleep. Sleeping at cool temps. with no food/water is the most natural way.

 

[blazinbeardie]

Ok, thanks. I'll keep an eye on him for any signs of respiratory infection. Should I try to get him to poop what little bit he has eaten in the past few weeks? (Like with applesauce or olive oil instead of bathing?) When he occasionally wakes up, I've been letting him bask for a few hours after feeding him. If I stop feeding him during the time he's awake, should I also not put the light on for him to bask? In previous years, he's never acted like this before so I'm just unsure what to do for him.

 

[AHBD]

Don't worry too much about him pooing , he will go when he needs to. If he is alert part of the day, you can give him one of those " laxatives " but don't force it. He should be fine if he is a healthy dragon, just turn the light on for part of the day if that's what he's used to especially now since you saw him coughing, you want to keep an eye on his behavior.

 

[blazinbeardie]

Ok will do. Thanks a lot!