Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I have a beardy that is about 10 years old now. I live in Ontario, Canada, and throughout the whole summer, he has been doing nothing but sleeping. I was concluding that this might be close to the end of his life, which would explain the inactivity, and I wanted it to be peaceful with no stress. The odd time, I would bring him out to try to get him to drink by dripping water onto his snout. Sometimes he drank, sometimes he didn't. He ate a few nibbles of veggies once for me, and today he ate a little bit again.

What I am unsure about is, is this a brumation thing? as I said it is unusual because he has been inactive all summer, not winter. Also, should I still be offering him more food than I have been. Because since he's very inactive, he has not shown interest in food, just wants to sleep. I was also concerned that his vitamin content has gone down during his inactivity and I don't want his health to deteriorate, and I don't want him to suffer.

Is there anything else I should be doing for him??? Any help and advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

The only way to really understand if his eating habits are adversely effecting him is to monitor his weight. Reptiles can go without food for a long time without much weight loss at all. Weight loss would be an indication of decline or illness.

My suggestion would be to get a weight scale that measures in grams and the weigh and record his weight weekly.

Do you know his current weight? When is thr last time he pooped?

I'm actually not sure of his current weight. I know the vet weighed him last time I took him for a follow up and he said his weight was good. I don't remember what the weight was at that point. I'll do what you suggested and get a weigh scale and maybe make a vet appointment. What is the ideal weight range for beardy's???

He hasen't pooped in quite a long time. Like I said, when I do offer food, he only takes a few little nibbles and he's only done that twice in the past 2 months or so. After the last time he nibbled a bit, a few days later, I gave him a bath to see if he'd poop and try to get him to drink a little water. He didn't poop in the bath. So, he hasen't eaten hardly anything, so he hasen't pooped? What do you suggest?

It sounds to me like your temps. are too low. The ambient (air)temp. on the hot side should be in the low 90's and the basking spot (surface) temp. should be about 105. I would try raising your temeratures and see if there is any change.

Reptiles rely on the right temps. to process their food etc. Temps. that are too low will slow down their digestion and metabolism causing them to eat and poop significantly less.

He may have not been as sensative to cool temps. when he was younger. Even old humans prefer warmer temps.

I don't think its normal he's sleeping all the time, especially in summer. Older dragons certainly do get less active, but they still bask normally, maybe take more frequent naps but should still have a healthy level of alertness.

I know a woman who lives near me who had several dragons around that age or older, and from what I can remember, they were still alert and did eat several times a week.

It probably be best to double check your husbandry, make sure the temps aren't cooler than they should be etc. If everything husbandry wise is alright, it wouldn't hurt to bring him to a vet for a check up. Older dragons can develop various ailments, such as kidney issues, etc which may be contributing to its lack of activity and sleeping all the time.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

I took him to the vet this past spring for a follow up on a fecal test. He had previously tested positive for hookworms. I treated him for that, and the follow up, he was clean. I also talked to the vet about possible kidney problems, etc. and he concluded its pretty difficult to tell with beardy's and he gave him a good exam and said everything seems fine. Husbandry is fine, I've always been keeping his basking spot at around 95 degrees and an ambient temp of about 85 degrees. Do you recommed another vet appointment???

I don't think its any more difficult to check for kidney issues in bearded dragons than any other lizard. Your current doctor may not have alot of experience with bearded dragons in general but symptoms of kidney issues shouldn't be that hard to detect. Radiology can be used to detect uric acid formations (if gout is suspected). If he's still unsure, recommend he pick up a copy of Dr. Mader's book on Reptile Medicine, or contact him. I am sure there are other top reptile vets around as well.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess