How do I keep my bearded dragon awake and stop brumation?

Thanks for reaching out about Zazu and including a photo. During brumation, they should be left alone, as stimulation will increase metabolism. As they are semi-conscious, a soak is not recommended as they will likely not be able to swallow, and this could also warm them and increase metabolism. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Lizzie. Brumation is triggered by a drop in temperature in the environment and shortening day length. If you have a heating element on your system, the temperature should not be dropping. Being quiet and secretive for two days is concerning, as they usually remain active up to the time they lay, not for several days prior. If she is egg bound, a veterinary visit is recommended. Calcium injections and a drug to induce egg laying (oxytocin) can be given to stimulate egg production. She could be sick for other reasons with kidney disease being common in aging bearded dragons. If she is still eating, you have a little time. If not, she needs to visit a veterinarian. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Oj. To prevent hibernation, you must keep the environmental temperature at the preferred optimal temperature zone range of 75-85 degrees. If allowed to cool but not hibernate, you are just shutting off the immune, digestion and other symptoms, allowing bacterial or parasitic diseases to proliferate unhindered. During this period of non-hibernation, Oj should continue to eat and be active, otherwise something is not correct. Photoperiod and exposure to UV radiation is important also. Decreased photoperiod and UV exposure stimulates hibernation patterns, so light periods and UV should be kept higher (like summer) to prevent hibernation. Good Luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your bearded dragon. Bearded dragons do not hibernate, so concerns would be around being too cold or being sick. It the environmental temperature is correct, a veterinarian should be visited to aid in the diagnosis and treatment. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Leo. Hibernation is stimulated by winter conditions (cold temperature, decreased food opportunity). If the environmental temperature is still hot, concerns are that she is ill and a veterinary visit is recommended. Intestinal parasites or infections, metabolic disorders and other possibilities exist. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Bonita. Check and correct husbandry including temperature gradient (daily high and lows, warm and cool ends), UVB exposure and diet. Since this has been going on a long time, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide diagnostic/treatment plan. Try offering water and food via a syringe prior to the vet appointment. Intestinal infections or parasites, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney), other infections and more are all possible. Good luck.

Consider a recheck with a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. You can find one here: http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 In the meantime, maintain proper environmental conditions. You can even increase tank temps by 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery. Soak Falcor daily in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide hydration. You can supplement him with Fluker's Repta-Boost. Find it in the local Petco or online. Keep his eyes clean by rinsing with sterile saline and a soft cloth. He may need different antibiotics and to have the affected area cleaned and flushed. It is never recommended to allow an ill dragon to brumate. Increasing the photo-period along with the increase in temp may bring him out of brumation, but his lethargy is more likely due to illness.