Supplementation during Brumation

[TamiLynne]

Hi guys,

I'm familiar with the normal supplementation schedule of Ca w/D3 5 days - vitamin blend 2 days. My question is.. how do you supplement a spotty feeder? My 7month old is in an in-and-out brumation (335grams) and will sleep for days then wake up ravenous. He's more likely to be interested in salad, so I'm curious as to what to add, if anything.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

-Tami*

 

[Drache613]

Hello Tami,

Hm, he is a little young for brumation, though it is not entirely uncommon. However, his weight is pretty good but he is not done growing. How long is he?
It is very hard to supplement during brumation really. If he is in & out but not really basking, etc, then his body really wont utilize the calcium or vitamins at all because he wont absorb them when he is so slown down.
Be careful feeding him too much also, since his digestive system is slown down during brumation they can suffer from GI distress from undigested food.
I would not supplement him right now, unless he stays out for prolonged periods of time under his UVB & basking light to absorb it properly.
What type & brand of UVB light are you using, a florescent tube bulb or a compact/coil bulb? How old is the UVB?

Tracie

 

[TamiLynne]

Thanks Tracie!

I know he's young for brumation.. but much to my dismay he's doing just that. At least he's only doing it halfway, though. His breeder mentioned that whole line has a growth spurt early on and seems to be brumating early. Any any rate, he does bask for a good amount of time on the days when he wakes up, both before and after eating. He's having intermittent bowel movements, as well. He doesn't over-eat - usually 10 or so butterworms or 5 or 6 bites of salad before he gets more interested in exploring his viv & making sure everything's still there. lol. I've got the right ReptiSun 10.0 tube and we actually put in a new bulb at the beginning of last month thinking his lethargy might be due to decreased UVB but.. no dice. Darned brumation! I haven't measured him lately but he's a decent sized fellow and in good proportion. He also hasn't lost any weight during this whole ordeal, we've been watching that. Here's a photo from a couple days ago..

-Tami*

 

[Drache613]

Hello Tami,

He looks happy enough, & in good condition! He is just being a lazy dragon then. Great he has not lost any weight though, that is important.
At least he is up & around some though so as long as he is digesting here & there & going to the bathroom since he is eating a little that is fine then.
I have one who brumated at 6 months & there was nothing I could do about it. I tried to stop him, but he got stressed & lost a little weight so I had to let him go down & he was fine. See, he knew what was best for him, & nature won of course!
We just cannot beat nature it is usually best not to even try unless of course they are ill.

I am happy he is doing so well.

Tracie