Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I turned the heat lamps all back on to my 7 year old beardie this morning and she is barely breathing. Taking about 2 breaths per minute. She has always came out of burmentation with no problems at all. What if anything should I do? The lights have been on for about 9 hours. This is not like her at all

You didn't provide much info. Are her eyes open? How does she look otherwise? How long was she brumating for? Did she brumate on her own or did you cool her? Was her digestive system clear before she brumated?

My only suggestion is to try dripping water on her nose and see if she licks it. Don't force it into her mouth as it may get into her lungs. I'm really guessing but I can't think of another suggestion except to take her to the vet. I've never had an experience as you describe. I don't cool mine, but all my females brumate as they decide individually.

Just because you turn on the lights and heat doesn't mean the dragon will instantly come out of brumation. Often change in temperature and duration of light has to be done gradually over time..increasing by about half hour more of light per week. Even then if they are not ready to come out of brumation, they will stay asleep.

Some brumate deeply for a month others as long as five months. Average is more 2-4 months. If her weight is good and she's still in deep brumation, just continue to provide heat and light and increase gradually till you have 12-14 hours of daylight and normal temperatures. She will feel the temperature changes in time. If you are really worried you can take her out of her hiding spot and weigh her, make sure she hasn't lost alot of weight. You can even place her on the basking spot or near it..to feel more warmth..she will either wake up and bask normally or go back into her hiding spot to brumate more.

If there is significant weight loss, a vet check is in order.
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PHLdyPayne

she went in on her own about 2 months ago as this is her normal lenght of time. She had a nice healthy poop the same day she went in. Nothing unusal about it. She has always burmented at the same time of year. Her eyes are closed and she is bulging them out, something she hasn't done since she was little. after 36 hours she is no better. She completely ignores the water. Sje is still plump, not much wieght loss. This too is normal.

That's strange. Can you post a picture? Her eyes are always bulging? Or is she doing the kind of bulging/hiccup thing they do and then stop? I woke my super sleeper last weekend. She's been down since July. They're lethargic but interactive usually when waken. Then if they're not done they go back and dig in again, which she did.