Charlie froze..

[beardie_love]

For this long weekend, I went to my cabin. I didn't bring my dragons, because I don't have something set up for them out there. But, the weekend was pretty nice. Sunday was pretty warm, so I thought Charlie should come out there, and I'll just make sure to bring a big tub, and all of his essential tank items. This was just for one night. For the night, because it was chilly (didn't expect a cold night..), I brought him in the camper with me. The next morning, my family got up before me so they went to Charlie first. My mom and sister said they went to go pick him up, and he was FREEZING. As well, he kept opening and closing his mouth. When I woke up, I went to go see him (when he was in his tub already), and I pet him, and he opened his mouth...

My question is, why did he keep opening his mouth?

And, how cold can it be before problems occur?

I was so lucky that he didn't die. From how cold he was, I really thought "how did he make it". Now I'm for SURE I won't bring all of my dragons till it's hot hot HOT out. Or I have a warm place to keep them in (going to be finishing off the guest house this summer hopefully).

 

[renich]

Wow, poor Charlie. You may want to consider bringing his lights next time.

He was probably opening his mouth to regulate his body temps. I would think short term, it is survivable, but long term could result in something horrible.

 

[ladyknite]

he should be ok now that he's back up to temp. Keep an eye out for respiratory signs over the next few days tho.

 

[beardie_love]

Renee, I brought all of his needed equipment - uvb and heat light included. He was fine with the lights, but the night temperature was just brutal.

ladyknite, I'll keep an eye on him. After a few hours of being back home in his tank and everything, he was back to his old self.

 

[renich]

Sorry, I misunderstood. Bring a higher watt bulb for heat next time.

Glad to hear that he has bounced back.

 

[li]

Wow..how cold did it get in your cabin?

 

[beardie_love]

Lisa, I can't exactly answer that, as I do not know what the temperature was. It did rain that night, so it was pretty bad. Although, at about noon, when the sun was peeking from the clouds, the temperature in the guest house was 17-19*F. Just imagine what it was during sleeping hours....

 

[renich]

Wow, that is cold. Where were you?

 

[staylor]

Glad he is ok!!! That is crazy cold, it is in the 90s here and at night 50-60. A love FL weather.

 

[SerenityAppeals]

Glad he made it! You live, you learn right? Did you leave his lights on 24/7 for heat? That's what I would recommend in the future if you didn't do it already.

-Jess

 

[beardie_love]

Renee, do you mean where I was when he was sleeping? If so, I was in the bedroom, while he was on the couch (we're in a camper).

Jess, I do not/did not leave his lights on 24/7. Didn't want to disturb his sleep. Should I do this if this happens in the future? Like, leave his lights on during the night rather than let it get that cold.

 

[SerenityAppeals]

Im not sure to be honest - I personally would ...Id rather he be tired than get sick (possibly) you could always buy a blue, black, or red bulb for heat for night time... not sure if he'd be able to sleep through that. Anyone else have advice reguarding leaving the lights on??



-Jess

 

[Pogie]

Jess, I do not/did not leave his lights on 24/7. Didn't want to disturb his sleep. Should I do this if this happens in the future? Like, leave his lights on during the night rather than let it get that cold.

Yes the lights will maybe keep him awake. Try to get a heat emitter, it gives off heat but no visible light. The temps here by us drop to 51 at night as winter is approaching, but I got a heat emitter and it keeps Pogies tank between 71 and 82 at night.

Another option is to use a hot water bottle, with the down side of getting up a few times during the night to refill as the water temp drops . . . But for one or two days its not such a sacrifice for your pooper right?

Ive also heard hand warmers are pretty popular overseas and works great, people use it for long car trips / vet visits / power outages etc.....

Heres a link to what the heat emitters look like http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=30_70

 

[renich]

Renee, do you mean where I was when he was sleeping? If so, I was in the bedroom, while he was on the couch (we're in a camper).

No, I meant where on earth were you with temps so cold? I know we have had a cold front in Maryland the past week, but that was in the 50s. Such cold weather in May is hard to swallow for me. Brrr... ;D

 

[beardie_love]

Monique, yes, a CHE will be in mind before I bring them out there again when it's that cold. It sucks that they're soo expensive..

Renee, I'm in WINTERpeg as we call it. Sooo cold brrr... the hot months are usually just June and July. Manitoba has crappy weather I tell ya !

 

[Pogie]

It sucks that they're soo expensive..

But worth every penny. I was sceptical at first to fork out so much on something for heat . . . But would do it again, the best money I've spent so far.