Possible Brumation Activity? Please advise!

[Jon Macintosh]

Merlin is roughly 9-10 months old we have been experiencing some odd activity from him as of late.

• His appetite for greens has lessened - but not insects.
• He's become increasingly lethargic and doesn't seem to want to bask on his basking spot (basking temperature ranges from 103°-108°)
• If we have him out of his enclosure he instantly is alert and running around fairly actively - inside the enclosure he's rarely moving, taking frequent "naps" throughout the day (Eyes closed, but head still lifted).
• If he's put on his basking spot - he will come down after an hour or two and resume lying on the ground level.
• Bowel movements have become far and wide - they seem to have to be coerced with warm baths vs. what used to be a routine of nearly every 2 days.

This strange activity started a few days before we moved him to a new enclosure (he was having difficulty turning around). It has now been roughly 2 and half weeks.

• His greens diet mainly consists of collard greens and mustard greens with a few variations to keep him interested in greens (has always been picky) provided on a daily basis.
• His insect diet is comprised of Dubia Roaches on a daily basis dusted appropriately will calcium and vitamins on a schedule.
• A Reptisun 10.0 18" UVB is provided and is within range of his basking zone inside the enclosure.

Is this activity typically attributed to a form of brumation? I know that bearded dragons can sense the seasons and it would seem to match up with their biological clock, though he is still under a year's age.

If I left out any needed information, please feel free to ask!

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[atochats]

It could be the season, although his being less than a year old makes me kind of suspicious. I would suggest that it's just "acclimation" to his new tank, but you stated this behavior began BEFORE he was moved...plus you said his appetite for insects HASN'T diminished. In short, I'd recommend concentrating on keeping his hydration level up and making an appointment at your herp vet to check for internal parasites. Get a stool sample and get it in. Parasitic infection symptoms can often be mistaken for the onset of brumation.

 

[PatsyB]

Merlin is roughly 9-10 months old we have been experiencing some odd activity from him as of late.

• His appetite for greens has lessened - but not insects.
• He's become increasingly lethargic and doesn't seem to want to bask on his basking spot (basking temperature ranges from 103°-108°)
• If we have him out of his enclosure he instantly is alert and running around fairly actively - inside the enclosure he's rarely moving, taking frequent "naps" throughout the day (Eyes closed, but head still lifted).
• If he's put on his basking spot - he will come down after an hour or two and resume lying on the ground level.
• Bowel movements have become far and wide - they seem to have to be coerced with warm baths vs. what used to be a routine of nearly every 2 days.

This all sounds like my Dexter. I'm starting to wonder that this horrible weather is starting to affect them. Has your interaction with him changed? Are you spending a little less time with him during the week? I noticed with Dexter she is more alert in her tank when someone is home with her for a period of days. Once the work week starts up again she gets mopey.

 

[atochats]

You know, I've noticed the same thing...during the week Saffron seems a bit "mopey" too. That's an excellent word to describe.

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Thanks for the replies and tips!

The interaction has changed in that he doesn't see us as much (new enclosure is in a new room and no longer our bedroom).
So for a quick update - after two days of soaking he finally had a bowel movement (it had been over a week - it was WWIII in there) unfortunately it happened during the period I left for work and came home, so it was dried and the clinic couldn't test the sample.. damper.
On the plus side his mood did a quick turnaround after that and he's basking, perked up, and in a much better mood overall.

I built a rough staircase (stacked tile - not pretty, but effective for the time being) to allow him easier access to his basking zone and he's been making use of it these past two days - so perhaps the issue with him being "backed up" could be that he hasn't been able to properly regulate his temperature.
Seeing as how this process appears to be following this pattern - I'm believing it to be a parasitic condition, but the simple fecal test will let me know for certain!

 

[atochats]

Happy to hear you got poop! Your theory sounds very reasonable, and hey, I'm sure he's not complaining about staircase "aesthetics" lol. Let us know how a fecal goes?

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Hah! He's one picky guy.

I will!

 

[Jon Macintosh]

He's doing much better!!!
He was parasite free, so we were stumped for quite some time.. In the end I decided to get all new calcium supplements and vitamins and since then he's been slowly perking up, having regular bowel movements, and is being his regular crazed self!!!

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Another update - for awhile there he seemed to be in better conditions, but now I fear he's slipping back into this odd mode.. Purely by eye he appears to have lost weight - I haven't picked up a scale yet - and his appetite for greens has still not returned (he never cared much for them, but used to eat them from time to time). He will, on the other hand, eat them from hand (which is not something he's spoiled on).

Does anybody have any suggestions? I'll be taking him to the vet soon.

 

[Canicke]

Wonderin how your boy is doin?

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Oh! I had updated a different thread and forgot this one!

Our scare is nearly over - ha! I built him a makeshift hide and he immediately slipped into brumation. He's been asleep for 6 days straight now...

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Just another update - still in brumation!

I have a feeling that he's going to be sleeping for a long while since I'm certain we messed with what would've been a normal brumation cycle...

 

[Canicke]

When he comes out it may be pretty gradual - be patient.

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Definitely will be! Getting mixed responses on removing him for soaks. Any ideas?

 

[Canicke]

Nothing definitive. Sorry. I soak mine every week or two but i kinda think its more for me than him (!)

 

[Jon Macintosh]

He's finally begun poking that head of his out. Hopefully he comes out and reclaims his perch!

 

[diegothediggy]

Fingers crossed

 

[Jon Macintosh]

looks like he heard me!

 

[diegothediggy]

View attachment 8478 looks like he heard me!

Aw hello little guy guess u uad a nice long sleep. Sounds like u have bin missed hehe time to wake uo n fatten up
Glad to c ur little 1 out n about now. Plenty of water and food the next few days he will more than lilely b starvin

 

[diegothediggy]

Hows ir little 1 enjoying being awake.