Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click here for Dragon Serpents
Click for ZooMed
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You

Beardie in a Coma yes hes in a coma What can I do??

Juan-Carlos Feb 28, 2004 01:04 AM

OK, So yes like the topic explains this male beardie of mine has gone from full of energy and very active to pure coma, he's been in this state for 8 days now. he dosent open his eyes, he dosent move( he cant) except if I pick him up his toes will twictch a tiny bit. I have been giving him water daily with a medecin droper and started feeding him very dilluted powder crested gecko staple food mixed with calcium carbonate. I dont know if he has yellow fungus or what it could be he does seam to have a more yellowish coloration on his face. I have him i the tank in the mid section where temps are netiher hot nor cool he is on top of a plast lid so he dosent lay on the sand... He does have bowel movements but it just stays there under him he cant move. I clean it up twice so far. Is there anything ealse i can do? I honestly can not afford a vet at the moment. I do have baytril and tetracyclin will this be usefull although I dbout it. What could this be ??? his female mate in the same enclosure is doing fine as can be..

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

PLEASE e-mail me at jcreef@bellsouth.net as the e-mail registered to this account is no longer in use.

Thank you,

-Juan-Carlos Munoz

Replies (8)

Juan-Carlos Feb 28, 2004 01:32 AM

Also when I give him water and food I put it in the back of his throat he dosent seam to swollow although his tounge BARELY jiggles.

-Juan-Carlos

Quickbeam Feb 28, 2004 05:33 AM

In which case you need to leave him the hell alone. It varies from Dragon to Dragon but some go into full on dormancy (constant sleeping) while others have just a lower level of activity. You need to read up on Brumation I think.

QB

Here is the relavent info from Beautiful Dragons.com. Sorry, I could not find a way to get a link direct to it.

Brumation is like hibernation, but the Beardie's body doesn't completely shut down. Brumation is largely a result of temperature and light changes when the days get shorter and nights get longer. In captivity, you may keep your Beardie's enclosure fairly consistent as far as temperature and light go and his activity levels will stay the same. However, your Beardie's internal clock might just tell him it's time to brumate, regardless of what you do.

Generally, brumation occurs in the fall or winter. Your Beardie will likely become less active and eat less (or stop eating all together!) If your beardie decides to brumate, he may sleep for weeks or months at a time or he may just be lethargic for a while. Also, a brumating dragon may dig under his substrate, hide under something or just lay around his tank. I continue to provide veggies and occasional mealworms just in case they want to snack. That's another reason to provide a basking site so they can digest if they decide to eat. Even without eating, Beardies don't lose weight while brumating normally.

There are many theories on what to do when and if your Beardie decides to brumate. Some owners think that forcing brumation by lowering temperatures and light to simulate winter is the way to go while others try to hinder it. Personally, I feel it is best to let your bearded dragon do whatever comes naturally!

If you think your Beardie is about to brumate or is brumating, make sure he is healthy. Have a vet perform a fecal exam to check for parasites. If the dragon is healthy, he will likely brumate for extended periods without any problems. Continue to offer food and water, but don't force it. You may lower the temperature a bit in his tank, but continue to offer a basking site in case he wants it. If your Beardie decides to eat something he will need the heat for digestion. Monitor your Beardie's weight and check for dehydration during brumation. If you lightly pinch the skin on the back of your Beardie and it goes right back down, your beardie is not dehydrated. On the other hand, if the pinched skin stays in place for a few moments and slowly goes back into place, your beardie needs water. Surprisingly, most dragons won't lose much weight or become dehydrated even after brumating for a few months. If you are concerned about dehydration, give your dragon a warm soak once a week. The rest is up to your Beardie!

Above all, use common sense. If your dragon begins to lose weight, develops smelly/runny stools, or has dark circles under his eyes, consult a vet immediately, as these are often signs of dehydration and/or parasites.

JoeyP Feb 28, 2004 07:24 AM

It doesn't sound like brumation. Generally when in brumation you can still wake them. They'll be grogy and tired and they despretly try to find somewhere to go back to sleep. Either way if the dragon's not awake I wouldn't go force feeding it. You could end up choking the dragon if it's really not responding. Call a vet, ask how much it would be to have them take a look at the dragon. It's not going to be hundreds of dollars, in fact, it'll probably be under $50. In the long run you'll be happier. And it's not yellow fungus, yellow fungus isn't a yellow coloring, but a yellow coating. When beardies are asleep, they tend to turn into one of their "happy" "relaxed" colors. One of mine will turn very nice yellows and light red when she's sleeping.

beginnersbasics Feb 28, 2004 08:06 AM

I agree with the other post. THis does NOT sound like your typical tired and brumating dragon. I would get him into a vet ASAP! I would also get him into a Quarantine tank and seperate your two dragons. If he does have something wrong with him, you do not want your female to get ill also.

Please let us know what you find out
-----
Lisa
Cricket free babies!
www.beginnersbasics.com

Christyj Feb 28, 2004 08:23 AM

Dragons don't lay there and poop during brumation. Quit force feeding/drinking, he could aspirate the food/water.

I think you have two choices.
1. vet
2. dead dragon

Beg and borrow (don't steal) to get that poor baby to a vet ASAP!!!
-----
www.classylizard.com

Wain Feb 28, 2004 10:28 AM

You'd think this would be obvious.

azteclizard Feb 28, 2004 11:28 AM

You mention twitching toes. What vitamoin supps do you use, and do they contain d3? You said you are providing calcium, but he needs d3 to use that calcium.
good luck
-----
Bill DiFabio
Garden State Herpetoculture...website to follow...
Email Me
"The poetry that comes from the squaring off between,
And the circling is worth it.
Finding beauty in the dissonance." - Maynard James Keenan

B22 Feb 28, 2004 01:14 PM

Hi
to be honest i also have some time no money for a vet !!
it always happend end of the month r when i just pay all my bills when a animal get sick ,also it always happend on a sunday r saterday you wil always see thing like that happend!!
if youre vet is a animal lover he wil help you out i know for shure !!
tel him you not have the money right now but you cant see any longer how the animal is suffering !!
tell him also you pay him later r you pay him small amount in several times.
if you vet is a good vet he wil help you out !!
if he not wanan help you call a other vet and tell the sae storie .
if you found a good reptile vet who wil help you out,then stay with him then you found a good veterian.
byeeeeeee

Site Tools