Getting ready to brumate but is dehydrated!!

[KarrieRee]

Post the test results on here so Tracie Drache 613 our vet tech can look at them-- start there- lighting has a big role in the eating of dragons- did you get another UVB besides the Solar Glo-- it is possible hes not getting enough UVB which would cause him not to eat --
Karrie

 

[Jauly]

An update with Nachos', we went to a different vet a couple hours out this time, he done some xrays as well as his own blood work (He said he'll call me as well as email me those when he gets them)....so with the person from earlier in this conversation you are 100% correct, Nachos' is in fact a she. I was explained that the reason she's not eating nor drinking is simply because she has a belly full of follicles which she is also currently reabsorbing them. Then explained they do not always lay unfertilized eggs, so shes most likely been doing this the whole time I've had her. I am grateful for the person who kept bringing up the fact my beardie was most likely a female or else I would have never thought. I feel like a bad pet owner at this moment for not researching even if I assumed I had a male. So I was told that Nachos' will most likely perk up come spring time & I should just let her listen to her own body. That it's normal for them to engorge themselves then not eat or drink anything for sometime. I'll keep yall posted & thank you kindly for everyone here. I am still going to use the new lights that were suggested & use my 3 in 1 light for my side post where Nachos' like to hang out when we watch movies.

 

[AHBD]

Oh wow, yes I did think she looked female ! Hopefully she can stay healthy and there won't be a serious problem down the line. Be sure to keep this thread updated, I'd like to see how she does.

 

[Jauly]

Oh wow, yes I did think she looked female ! Hopefully she can stay healthy and there won't be a serious problem down the line. Be sure to keep this thread updated, I'd like to see how she does.

I will gladly do this. I also picked up some information on caring for female bearded dragons from my vet, he said they take a bit more care then males do. Was also told if her stomach doesn't slim up within 4-6 weeks I need to bring her back in to have some more xrays done since with some females they have a hard time passing & or reabsorbing their eggs & that sometimes they need to be removed. In the wild sadly they would end up passing away. Her eyes are no longer sunken in so that's also a good sign.

 

[Jauly]

Okay, so Ms Nachos' needs to lay her eggs,(I also only just found out she's a she) she's 3yrs old and has never laid eggs before....online can be a horrible place for advice when seeking since there's so many different opinions in vast...I need one person who's had to assist their bearded dragon in laying eggs to let me know what else I need to do to help her. Vet said it would be best for her to lay them if she can, surgery only if there's no other option. So I have a small plastic bin that I put a wet soil/sand mixture into, gave her a hideaway in there as well, it's deep enough she can burrow. Okay so, how long must I keep her in there for, can I put her basking light over the bin or does it need to be dark. I've been dusting her insects with calcium to keep her strong, she won't eat her roaches but I feed her 7 mealworms dusted she eats those just fine, still not eating veggies but from what the vet mentioned during this time this is normal. But I still make sure I offer them. So to the next question do I keep her food in the laying bin I've prepared or no? One place said to feed her insects with calcium in the A.M. then to allow her to bask for an hour then move her to her bin, make sure she has privacy and quiet as well as make sure it's darker, leave her in there for the day then allow her to bask for an hour before bed then place her back in her laying bin.

 

[AHBD]

I've had egg laying females for many years in the past, they all prefer a good digging box but they don't always follow our script. I had one like this that was kept in a large enclosure with a log leading up to it :

https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/30026/full

It's about 22 L by 13 W by 8 H. Hole cut out of lid for access and privacy, most beardies like it dark. Heat was in the cage itself. Moist sand or sand/soil mix.

Most females stop eating anywhere from 5 days before or a very few eat right up to the day they lay, but that's uncommon. How do you know she's going to lay and is she scratching around right now ? Can you post pics of her and her laying bin ?

 

[Jauly]

How do you know she's going to lay and is she scratching around right now ? Can you post pics of her and her laying bin ?[/quote]

I had a bin set up for her, but she spazzed the entire time in it. She'd puff up, turn all black & continue to try & get out. I ended up making a mound for her under her basking light. Which she liked a lot better. She dug quite a bit & started to dig a tunnel, but never laid any eggs. Although she's gaining weight back in her legs & tail which I am surely happy for. Also Nachos' has always burrowed when brumation time came along (which Nachos' goes into around September/October) so I'm not sure if the digging is an attempt to sleep or lay. But It's there none the less. Also can't feel anything when I rub tummy either just a squishy belly.

 

[AHBD]

That's fine to put a mound of dirt, put it on the cooler and and put an upside down shoebox over it with one end cut out as an entrance to her cave.

And infertile eggs often can't be felt .

 

[Jauly]

That's fine to put a mound of dirt, put it on the cooler and and put an upside down shoebox over it with one end cut out as an entrance to her cave. ..

I already put one at the other end just in case Nachos' wants to be on the color side. But Nachos' won't use anything that has a hideaway. Ever since they were younger they never used anything I've put in to hide in, always preferred to be where I could still be seen. Which ever end I am at is the end she moves to & stays lmao always has been a needy lil bugger. But I did drape a dark throw blanket over that end to make it darker if she ends up laying & is one that likes privacy. But Nachos' is still digging & burying themselves under the basking light, then going up onto their sling after a few minutes. And true I read that about the eggs as well. I'll continue to keep an eye on her & offer her food every now & then.