Beardie not eating

[Dansmity4]

Hey so my beardie isn’t really eating and is staying in his hide all day with his eyes half closed and he’s usually running around a lot so I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on with him cus this has been going on for a week. I’m positive his lighting is good and his diet is great as well he was just at the vet and they gave him a full examination (he was severely dehydrated) and they said he had parasites and they gave him a medicine that he takes every two week for 3 doses total and he’s almost up to his 3rd dose so I don’t think this behavior is from the parasites and there was no other issues that they reported. I do remember reading about something called “brumation” that beardies go through and I’m in the east coast of America and it’s starting to get real cold does it make sense that that’s what is causing his behavior and if yes how do I take care of him because he’s not eating or getting any heat he's just in his hide all day.


Any guidance would be greatly appreciated thank you!

 

[Sadie]

Hey so my beardie isn’t really eating and is staying in his hide all day with his eyes half closed and he’s usually running around a lot so I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on with him cus this has been going on for a week. I’m positive his lighting is good and his diet is great as well he was just at the vet and they gave him a full examination (he was severely dehydrated) and they said he had parasites and they gave him a medicine that he takes every two week for 3 doses total and he’s almost up to his 3rd dose so I don’t think this behavior is from the parasites and there was no other issues that they reported. I do remember reading about something called “brumation” that beardies go through and I’m in the east coast of America and it’s starting to get real cold does it make sense that that’s what is causing his behavior and if yes how do I take care of him because he’s not eating or getting any heat he's just in his hide all day.


Any guidance would be greatly appreciated thank you!

How old is the dragon? What are you using for a UVB and what are your basking temps? How are you taking the basking temps? His behavior sounds like brumation but we must first go over the lighting as incorrect lighting will cause brumation like behavior --- Please NO coils for UVB and temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer

 

[Dansmity4]

How old is the dragon? What are you using for a UVB and what are your basking temps? How are you taking the basking temps? His behavior sounds like brumation but we must first go over the lighting as incorrect lighting will cause brumation like behavior --- Please NO coils for UVB and temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer

Thanx for the response! My beardie is almost 2 years old I got him about 9 months ago and actually you helped me setup his tank and lighting he has the 10.0 uvb bulb with the zoo-med fixture and it’s at a proper distance and his heat lamp heats up his basking spot to 95°-100° and I test the temperature by putting a digital thermometer on the area on the rock where he usually is. His diet you helped me with as well and the vet I brought him to also said it’s good so I’m not sure what’s going on and if it’s brumation or not.

 

[Sadie]

Thanx for the response! My beardie is almost 2 years old I got him about 9 months ago and actually you helped me setup his tank and lighting he has the 10.0 uvb bulb with the zoo-med fixture and it’s at a proper distance and his heat lamp heats up his basking spot to 95°-100° and I test the temperature by putting a digital thermometer on the area on the rock where he usually is. His diet you helped me with as well and the vet I brought him to also said it’s good so I’m not sure what’s going on and if it’s brumation or not.

Sounds like it--- keep an eye on him they are all slowing down now - get him out every 10-14 days to see if he wants water- he needs to stay hydrated-- get a kitchen food scale keep track of his weight- weigh in grams- it's normal for them to lose some but if it's alot then there is a issue-

 

[Dansmity4]

Sounds like it--- keep an eye on him they are all slowing down now - get him out every 10-14 days to see if he wants water- he needs to stay hydrated-- get a kitchen food scale keep track of his weight- weigh in grams- it's normal for them to lose some but if it's alot then there is a issue-

It’s hard for me to keep him hydrated if he’s not eating because he won’t drink real water for some reason. He gets the water from his food and I mist the food for extra water so if he’s not eating how would you suggest I keep him hydrated? Maybe a bath more often… i usual give once every 2 weeks

 

[Mummabeardy]

you can get a little syringe/medicine dropper and rub it gently across his mouth. If he's thirsty, you'll see a lil tongue action! Lol, if not he'll just stare at you like mom enough..just go slow so he doesn't aspirate. ❤

 

[Sadie]

It’s hard for me to keep him hydrated if he’s not eating because he won’t drink real water for some reason. He gets the water from his food and I mist the food for extra water so if he’s not eating how would you suggest I keep him hydrated? Maybe a bath more often… i usual give once every 2 weeks

Gut loading his insects also feeding hornworms they are a good hydrater- does he drink from his baths? You can also syringe feed him water- but I would spray/ mist him first before syringe - see if he will lick the water or even drop water on his nose

 

[Dansmity4]

you can get a little syringe/medicine dropper and rub it gently across his mouth. If he's thirsty, you'll see a lil tongue action! Lol, if not he'll just stare at you like mom enough..just go slow so he doesn't aspirate. ❤

Thanx for the advice!! I’ll def do that and yes he gives me those stares all the time especially in the bath

 

[Bailey]

Mine won't eat unless it is crawling away for its life! Try to make their food look a little more lively