Possible Brumation?

[shanderoni]

I'm sure you all get this type of question a lot, so apologies in advance.

I have a female bearded dragon (Georgie) who is about 10 months old. About 2 months ago, she started becoming really lethargic and hasn't been eating as much or wanting to bask. For this reason she was a bit behind on poops. I took her into the vet, and they said she was dehydrated but everything else seemed normal. They gave her some fluids and I started giving baths 2x daily for about 2 weeks.

In between that time she still hadn't pooped so they had me give her some oral dewormer in case of parasites. She pooped shortly after the first dose, but hasn't pooped since the second dosage (almost 3 weeks now!). She has eaten a little (mostly Dubias and black solider fly larvae, with a few superworms mixed in as a treat).

I am starting to get really worried as I'm not certain if she could be brumating, or if she may be miserable or depressed due to some lack of care. She hasn't been interested in basking at all and just lays there, looking sleepy. If I pick her up she is easily roused and will bask for a few minutes but will soon go back into hiding.

[Food]
I typically offer dubias/BSFL daily dusted with pure calcium powder but she hasn't eaten much. She always goes after supers but I try not to feed her too much of those as I know they can make beardies chubby. Turnip/Collard greens are offered daily and I switch up between bell peppers, squash, cactus, and cucumbers. She doesn't touch the greens much at all.

[Cage]
She has a 120G Zen Habitat that stays on the floor in my office. I have one 50W basking bulb and one 100W that is outside the cage.

[Temps]
Temps in basking spot get to about 100F, and the warm side of the cage is about 90F. Cool side ranges from 80 - 82F throughout the day and I have a dig box and water bowl for her on the cool side as well. She doesn't go over there too much.

[Lighting]
Previously I had a Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO inside a reflector hood that was descended into the cage, but I started to worry that maybe she was hiding because it's hurting her eyes. So a few days ago I purchased a better light (Arcadia 34inch 14%) and hung inside the cage. I measured with a UV reader card and the rays are getting to where she's at. She's still hiding quite a bit so I'm not sure it's made any difference.

[Other]
I give her baths about every other day and lightly massage her belly, but it's been 3 weeks now since she last pooped. I'm concerned if this is normal during periods of low activity or if I should take her back into the vet. I don't want her to get flushed out if it's not needed as it will just add to her stress. I appreciate any advice here as this is my first bearded dragon and I want to make sure she lives a happy healthy life

 

[Sadie]

I'm sure you all get this type of question a lot, so apologies in advance.

I have a female bearded dragon (Georgie) who is about 10 months old. About 2 months ago, she started becoming really lethargic and hasn't been eating as much or wanting to bask. For this reason she was a bit behind on poops. I took her into the vet, and they said she was dehydrated but everything else seemed normal. They gave her some fluids and I started giving baths 2x daily for about 2 weeks.

In between that time she still hadn't pooped so they had me give her some oral dewormer in case of parasites. She pooped shortly after the first dose, but hasn't pooped since the second dosage (almost 3 weeks now!). She has eaten a little (mostly Dubias and black solider fly larvae, with a few superworms mixed in as a treat).

I am starting to get really worried as I'm not certain if she could be brumating, or if she may be miserable or depressed due to some lack of care. She hasn't been interested in basking at all and just lays there, looking sleepy. If I pick her up she is easily roused and will bask for a few minutes but will soon go back into hiding.

[Food]
I typically offer dubias/BSFL daily dusted with pure calcium powder but she hasn't eaten much. She always goes after supers but I try not to feed her too much of those as I know they can make beardies chubby. Turnip/Collard greens are offered daily and I switch up between bell peppers, squash, cactus, and cucumbers. She doesn't touch the greens much at all.

[Cage]
She has a 120G Zen Habitat that stays on the floor in my office. I have one 50W basking bulb and one 100W that is outside the cage.

[Temps]
Temps in basking spot get to about 100F, and the warm side of the cage is about 90F. Cool side ranges from 80 - 82F throughout the day and I have a dig box and water bowl for her on the cool side as well. She doesn't go over there too much.

[Lighting]
Previously I had a Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO inside a reflector hood that was descended into the cage, but I started to worry that maybe she was hiding because it's hurting her eyes. So a few days ago I purchased a better light (Arcadia 34inch 14%) and hung inside the cage. I measured with a UV reader card and the rays are getting to where she's at. She's still hiding quite a bit so I'm not sure it's made any difference.

[Other]
I give her baths about every other day and lightly massage her belly, but it's been 3 weeks now since she last pooped. I'm concerned if this is normal during periods of low activity or if I should take her back into the vet. I don't want her to get flushed out if it's not needed as it will just add to her stress. I appreciate any advice here as this is my first bearded dragon and I want to make sure she lives a happy healthy life

The 14% uvb should have a distance of 17-18 inches directly above the basking decor it is a very strong bulb + the T 5 you had is a great bulb-- they are not known for causing eye issues and considered safe lights- what are you using to get surface basking temps-- digital probe thermometers are the most accurate - what brand and bulb are you using for basking? Colored off white or yellowish bulbs are no good as well as daytime bulbs they cause eye issues- the vet just giving a dewormer is not good - a fecal test should of been done to get a count then meds should of been prescribed if they are high enough- NO ENEMAS -- they often end in disaster - take the fecal in for testing you can feed unsweetened applesauce or canned pumpkin w/ no spices in it - it is not uncommon for them to go 2-3 weeks before pooping but she does need hydration - since she's not eating greens and this is the main way to get them hydrated please drop water on her nose see if she will lick - get some bsfl from here order large www.symtonbsf.com and use these as lures to the salad bowl they are a great staple feeder for babies- feed as many as you want put them in her salads in front of her- I can post a website for nutrition and a bowl to get for the salads and bsfl- so let's work on the lights - this is imparative to her behavior and health

 

[Sadie]

https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

 

[shanderoni]

Thanks for the response!

I do already order BSFL regularly and get the large size. She really likes them but just hasn't been eating anything recently. This tip with putting them on the salad worked great previously but as she hasn't been as hungry, she sticks her nose up at the offer. She actually did eat some moist salad today and overall seems to have a little more energy. Could be the new bulb but hard to say...

I am using a digital probe thermometer and measure the temps throughout the day to make sure it doesn't fluctuate too much. The 14% bulb is at the very top of the cage so it is far enough away from her basking area (she has a 2x2x4 ft).

The bulbs are not colored, they are these basking bulbs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096FGVWQT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I will try the pumpkin and applesauce to see if it helps her to poop.

 

[Sadie]

Thanks for the response!

I do already order BSFL regularly and get the large size. She really likes them but just hasn't been eating anything recently. This tip with putting them on the salad worked great previously but as she hasn't been as hungry, she sticks her nose up at the offer. She actually did eat some moist salad today and overall seems to have a little more energy. Could be the new bulb but hard to say...

I am using a digital probe thermometer and measure the temps throughout the day to make sure it doesn't fluctuate too much. The 14% bulb is at the very top of the cage so it is far enough away from her basking area (she has a 2x2x4 ft).

The bulbs are not colored, they are these basking bulbs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096FGVWQT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I will try the pumpkin and applesauce to see if it helps her to poop.

Ok the distance for your UVB should be 17-18 inches directly above the basking decor - as far as the Lucky Herp bulb I couldnt see anywhere on the box or website that it says Neoyidium on it --- that is a coating you dont want -- it causes eye issues -- so its her --- if she ate today that is good --