What's happening to Gladstone?

[Mrs. Tiggywinkle]

Help! I had a healthy-looking, active, regularly- eating and pooping beardie till this morning. Today he has not moved from his sleeping placer on the floor of his cage, is not interested in even his favorite food and his eyes have been half closed. I just turned off his heat lamp and left the night light and covered his cage as usual. He is 3 years old and has had no problems at all. No impaction-causing stuff on his floor (it's plastic shelf paper) and no change of diet. Took his weekly bath as usual yesterday. I feel helpless. Any ideas? Please someone come up with an idea.

 

[MissMichelle91]

I'm pretty sure it's just brumation. Keep an eye on him, though.

 

[Livey]

I agree, brumation sounds possible ..

 

[mickeysmomma]

Yep....brumation! Don't be surprised if he wakes up for a day or so, and goes right back to being lazy the next day!

On the days he is up and active, I would give him a bath to keep him hydrated.

You don't want him to have a full belly and go into brumation...that can lead to paracites.

 

[Mrs. Tiggywinkle]

Thanks for all the suggestions that Gladstone is getting ready for brumation. He's had two rounds of this already, 2 years in a row, but both were in late January so I thought this was a bit soon - he woke up in March so it would be only 8 months. After I posted my "urgent" request, I gave him a warm bath and he swam around OK for 25 minutes, went back under the heat and fell asleep. Next day, ate greedily. Today, nothing. I think that's the expected pattern for pre-brumation behavior. Am I right?
By the way, the many-page article on this website on brumation is really good. So glad I read it.

 

[Mrs. Tiggywinkle]

I panicked and didn't need to. I should have known since he's had 2 brumations already. Gladstone is "down" totally. Bathtime in a week. Thanks everyone.