Too young for brumation..

[usmcfamily]

Spencer is 6 months old and not acting like himself. He's staying in the cave half the day, barely eating (2-3 bites of greens, normally he eats he whole bowl throughout the day), maaaaaybe 1-3 bugs (dubia usually), won't touch any worms lately at all, and when he eats it is slow. Like, his body moves slowly. He will sit under basking light a couple times a day like a pancake then it's back into the hide. No bm now for three days despite baths. Weight was at 209 yesterday and he's 15.5" long.

Temps are 107 on the basking log, 67-77 in the cave/cool side depending on day/night. Tube uvb is a reptisun 10.0.

This is getting exhausting constantly fussing over him. Can someone help me shed some light on what's going on? He's too young for brumation isn't he?

*Edit- after posting I bathed him and he had a large bm. Still not eating, and weight down to 199.

 

[CooperDragon]

Your setup and temperatures sound good. It does sound like he may be brumating but I'd keep monitoring his weight. 10g isn't a huge deal but if it continues to drop perhaps he has an illness that he is hiding.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Get to a vet to rule out illness. Anytime weight drops at that age is suspect. You can syringe feed organic baby food chicken and squash until vet appointment then take his advice from there as to best formula to hand feed, if any. Vet will do a physical exam and run a fecal test for parasites. May want to get a ceramic heat emitter to keep night temperature raised slightly and begin probiotics. A yearly vet exam is good and any reptile should be taken to the vet for a wellness exam shortly after purchase.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

He is on the young side for brumation. Brumation at this age is not unheard of but I don't think it is that common in captivity at this age.

 

[usmcfamily]

You really think he needs a vet visit because he lost weight with a huge bm? When I say huge I mean it...it was three urates and a whole bunch of stool. In the bath. Usually it's just an average size so I assume he was just backed up some.

I think his back is whitening slightly this evening too, could all this be due to an umpcoming shed?

 

[DaisyDragon123]

The upcoming shed could be the reason for not eating but you described lethargic behavior, moving slowly. Even if the bm was the only thing that caused weight loss you stll are left with poor appetite and lethargic behaviour. If he has never seen a vet now is as good a time as any. All reptiles need a yearly exam and yearly fecal test. Brumation can mimic sickness and since this is out of the ordinary behavior for your dragon and he is young I do believe a vet visit is needed. The time to catch a problem is early on.

 

[usmcfamily]

I'll call them this morning and see if they see reptiles and go from there.

He did eat 6 dubia last night for my son so that was a little improvement

When is it a good precaution to add baby food?

 

[DaisyDragon123]

If he has started eating on his own you shouldn't need to feed the baby food. If he has more energy today that's a good sign. It is hard sometimes to tell with reptiles what's just one of those things that will pass versus something that needs medical attention. But letting a vet check and run a fecal would give you piece of mind. When dragons get older their appetites can taper off somewhat compared to when they were smaller, but loss of appetite can be an indicator of parasites or infection that's why I tell people to let a vet check it out. You may want to Google exotic vets in your area to see who is available.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

If he has started eating on his own you shouldn't need to feed the baby food. If he has more energy today that's a good sign. It is hard sometimes to tell with reptiles what's just one of those things that will pass versus something that needs medical attention. But letting a vet check and run a fecal would give you piece of mind. When dragons get older their appetites can taper off somewhat compared to when they were smaller, but loss of appetite can be an indicator of parasites or infection that's why I tell people to let a vet check it out. You may want to Google exotic vets in your area to see who is available.

 

[usmcfamily]

Well that was a fast shed!! I went in to check him out and his already shed his whole back off in one piece!! I was shocked!

That being said, his appetite is better...he ate three hornworms pretty quickly, several bites of his salad and kept going back to it. He wasn't up for chasing the dubia but did get two when they got close enough and that's pretty typical. He doesn't like to chase his food on a good day (makes for really easy care for pet sitter...not!) I put the rest in a bowl and left them for him. Weighed him too and he's back up to 207g so I'm chalking the weight loss up to that massive poo, lol.

Is there anywhere to look at a growth chart? Wondering if he is growing well, small or average sized. I can't imagine he's big for his age. I think he looks pretty good though.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

That's a good looking dragon!!! It looks like the issue is resolving itself. I don't know right off hand where to find a growth chart on this forum but I know one comes up if you Google it. My dragon hatched May 31, 2015, and as of late October/ early November weighed 234 grams at the vet's office and she is now 15.5 inches. There are a couple of good articles on brumation on the main page of this forum. Mine too stopped eating a while back so I've been to the vet multiple times.

 

[usmcfamily]

Okay so spencer is similar in size compared to age I suppose as yours. His hatch date was June 21st. He was only 60 grams when we brought him him October 6 so I think he's grown a considerable amount. He was much more awake today though. Every time I checked him he was basking.

I think he gets tired of the same ole food though which may contribute to his not eating much. I offer dubia every day, have mealworms and hornworms he'll pick at occasionally. I've tried bsf larvae recently and he had nothing to do with it. I have the tub still but he doesn't touch them :/ I'd like him to eat more bugs, just don't know how to make that happen. Need to post about possibly using a feed box.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Breeders and vets here (in Australia) recommend that beardies should not be allowed to brumate in their 1st year.

 

[usmcfamily]

Breeders and vets here (in Australia) recommend that beardies should not be allowed to brumate in their 1st year.

I can understand why. Too much potential for growth issues, not enough fat stored. Makes sense.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

My vet also doesn't like to see a dragon under one brumate. I was told not to do anything to encourage my dragon, keep temps and lighting the same and not to provide a hide box.