Help - my beardie has stopped eating :(

[steveyrockstar]

Hi there

I am new to the forum so many greetings everyone!

I am the proud owner of an 18-month year old bearded dragon called Arturo, a miserable bugger but he does give me lots of pleasure. However, I have become very worried by his recent behaviour.

I live in England. When the temperature suddenly dipped around October, Arturo's normally ravenous appetite also dipped. He'd suddenly only eat maybe 5-6 morio worms or 3-4 crickets a day, and a handful of salad. I was concerned that it wasn't hot enough inside his vivarium given that the flat outside was cold, so I since I upgraded the heating lamp to make it nice and warm for him. However, still his appetite only temporarily picked up.

When I put him in my local reptile store over Xmas they told me he ate LOADS. They also commented that he was of perfect weight and looked healthy.

However over the last 2 weeks Arturo has stopped eating COMPLETELY. He is also not pooing either. He shows NO interest in any food whatsoever. Yet other than that he looks and behaves relatively normal. He still looks quite healthy and in the daytime, he's very active and likes to run round my flat for as much as 2 hours a day. However, he is very tired in the evening as soon as it's dark outside.

So what's wrong with him? Even when his appetite dipped, he was still eating something. Now he's not eating at all. The reptile store said he's probably just brumating and that I shouldn't worry. Someone else suggested he may be compacted? I had been switched to aspen substrate which could be a cause, although generally I was feeding him in a separate container, bar his salad (and that stuff could easily get mixed up with his salad). I've now switched to woodchips.

I've tried not to worry and just left him to get on with it. But after nearly 2 weeks, I am getting worried. He had one bit of collard greens about 3 days ago but as with his food recently, he licked his lips after eating one shreed with a look of disgust on his face.

Anyone got any ideas? Much appreciated in advance!

S

 

[steveyrockstar]

Further to my post above, when Arturo does eat - and I'm literally talking ONE worm or ONE bit of salad leaf - he licks his lips aggressively with a slight look of disdain on his face as if to say 'errrrr, I'm not sure about that, that tastes weird!'

Then he runs off. It's like a small child who won't eat his greens.

I'm confused. Is this a vet job?

 

[RobertD]

First start by running your finger down his stomach. If he is compacted you will feel a bump where he is compacted. If you do not feel a bump, then it may just be that he is going into brumation.

Before going down for their sleep, they will completely stop eating to make sure that their stomach is empty. Going to sleep with food in their stomach can cause infections and other problems. Some will take a nibble of food here and there. Just make sure they have a bowel movement before actually going to sleep so their stomach is empty.

If he is going into brumation dont forget to get him out for baths to keep him hydrated.

 

[RobertD]

Also, another thing. It is really not a good idea to use a substrate in their housing, even if you feed them elsewhere. Bearded Dragons like to lick their surroundings and with that licking they could end up digesting some of the substrate.

 

[steveyrockstar]

Thanks for the replies RobertD

Would you suggest not using any substrate at all (eg a bare wood floor) or something like repitle carpet? Or would the woodchips be fine?

I shall check his belly in the morning. Pretty certain I've not noticed any lumps though. He's always pooped fine until he stopped eating.

 

[RobertD]

Your welcome.

There are very few people that would even suggest using any kind of substrate. Most people will say don't use any at all just because of the chance of the substrate causing impaction. The best is using like a felt carpet, tiles, and such like that. Nothing that is small enough to get into your beardies mouth. Myself I use a felt carpet for my girl.