Brumation

[atochats]

Well Banyon has been sleeping since Sept. 20th he has opened his eyes briefly, and stretched his legs a few times. Kinda getting worried. ..he's been sleeping so long. I've read that its unusual for a dragon to go into brumation if they're under a year old? Also...issue of hydration? He still looks the same physically...no noticeable weight loss or change in skin tone.

 

[davedragon10]

It is unusual but it does happen. Whats the lighting cycle like. Do u keep the lamp on for 12hrs aday? If not that probably he went into brumation.

Keep water and food avalible.

If you r worried take him to the vet.

 

[atochats]

Still turning light on and off each day..not the uv because it won't do him any good anyway, he's snuggled in a bathtowel on the cool side of his tank. Before he went to sleep both lights were on approximately 12 hrs a day yes. I've been told not to put a water dish inside so I took it out long ago.

 

[atochats]

For hydration he got a 20 min or so soaking twice a week (which he loved!), and his veggies were rinsed before giving to him so he'd get the most moisture out of them.

 

[davedragon10]

No water dish is fine. Just not a deep dish. You just dont want it to be possible to drown in. And turn on the uvb too. Brumation is started when the dragon thinks the winter season started. In winter day light is shorter and less uvb.

 

[davedragon10]

For hydration he got a 20 min or so soaking twice a week (which he loved!), and his veggies were rinsed before giving to him so he'd get the most moisture out of them.

Ok. Then start using uvb light

 

[atochats]

OK I'll start turning that one on each day too. He is literally buried inside the towel so I don't see how he'll be able to tell...but I'll do it anyway it makes sense what you're saying. Thanks.. I feel a bit better now him being asleep so long now

 

[Germ]

If your BD is in Brumation, it does not need heat (Unless your ambient room temps drop below the mid to low 60s F) or UVB, so all lighting can be shut down until it wakes on its own. I have had BDs brumate for 5+ months, they will come out of it when they are ready.

 

[davedragon10]

If your BD is in Brumation, it does not need heat (Unless your ambient room temps drop below the mid to low 60s F) or UVB, so all lighting can be shut down until it wakes on its own. I have had BDs brumate for 5+ months, they will come out of it when they are ready.

What 5 months!! I thought using the uvb bulb will cut their brumation short. I read that it can even deley it for a while.

 

[atochats]

Oh my 5 months! I'm going to miss him so much if he takes that long. I hate it when I get conflicting info but I'm thinking I should prolly go with Germ on this one (one of this site's administrators/ moderators?) I'll turn both lights off..maybe just use the red "nightlight" to make sure the temp doesn't drop under 60. Thanks

 

[atochats]

Brumation is natural...I don't think i like the idea of delaying or cutting short something that is natural for him.

 

[davedragon10]

Oh my 5 months! I'm going to miss him so much if he takes that long. I hate it when I get conflicting info but I'm thinking I should prolly go with Germ on this one (one of this site's administrators/ moderators?) I'll turn both lights off..maybe just use the red "nightlight" to make sure the temp doesn't drop under 60. Thanks

Yeh he prob has way more experience then me with it.

@Germ I have read that in a few places. I read somewhere about breeders inducing brumation for reproduction

 

[atochats]

Well I don't know but I may have made a mistake. Banyon opened his eyes and lifted his head today when I talked to him so I took opportunity to give him a quick warm bath to hydrate. Now he's up and basking. He ate 5 worms but had little interest in chasing down a cricket. His back legs are shaky (from being immobile so long? IDK). What do I do with lights if I don't know if he's up for good or not? I left a big bowl of veggies fo him in case he's interested.

 

[davedragon10]

Just start cycling the lights

 

[atochats]

Hes sleeping again...humph. he had more interest in running around on the couch than in eating! He still wont eat much veggies and if he doesnt go after protein, it means he's eating close to nothing. Working on increasing his temps for the next time he wakes up maybe stimulate appetite

 

[davedragon10]

Gut load his feeder insects. Good luck. Im sure hes fine . Keep us posted

 

[atochats]

His crickets always have food..moisture..I even put veggies and oatmeal in there for them. I figure the healthier his food is, the healthier he'll be. Thanks for advice and help

 

[atochats]

So I turned on his lights and he opened his eyes and lifted his head. Took him out and got a few pics of his sides. I will say that from about midway down his sides to the base of his tail, feels the same to the touch...kinda hard and lumpy like you're running your fingers down a ribcage on an animal. His back legs are working fine. There is no lump on his back near his spine. I am getting his temps, both hot side and cool, up. I will begin warm soaks and massage gently to see if he will pass anything. I have a hard time getting his mouth open on my own but if my husband will help, I will have two hands free and he can use a dropper to give a couple drops of oil as I read to do in the article. ANY INPUT OR SUGGETIONS PLEASE? Based on my reading I may heave mistaken impaction for brumation?

 

[Germ]

I replied to your PM ...

Check out the section on How To Administer Oral Meds or Fluids, might make things a little easier.

http://www.beardeddragonforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=7

 

[atochats]

Thanks Germ.. I read through it and saved the link. His vet is gonna call me back tomorrow. I'd just rather be safe than sorry, want to get him in and have her look him over. I'm tired of not being absolutely sure what he needs. Brumation? Impaction? IDK but I'm gonna find out! Thanks again.