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About Tracie Kretzschmar
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to health, UVB specifics, overall husbandry care & supplementation, analysis of blood test results, and behavioral problems & handling. I can answer questions pertaining to bearded dragons, leopard geckos, iguanas, uromastyx & ball pythons. I can answer adeno virus related questions in bearded dragons, & then specifically about the testing methods as well. I am beginning an Pogona Adeno Testing Society in 2008 which will help to begin to start some standardization within the bearded dragon colonies of the breeders who choose to test.

Experience
I have been working with bearded dragons for over 5 years now, as well as leopard geckos, too. I am currently doing rescues, as well. I hope to be able to educate people prior to them purchasing an exotic pet in order to avoid any health crisis with them.

Education/Credentials
I have a master's degree in sports medicine & physiology, & 1 year of vet tech schooling, & am currently working on a reptile certification through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Reptiles > my bearded dragon

Reptiles - my bearded dragon

Expert: Tracie Kretzschmar - 11/4/2009

Question
my bearded dragon hasnt been itself for a couple days now and it appears to have grown a scale over both nostrils and is sealed off is this a part of perpareing for winter or should i be concerned? .also he will only eat superworms and crickets i have tried to get him to eat collard greens,& kale but wont even taste them he is about to go through "brumation" and i was told he cant be fed insects only geens how do i get him to eat the right foods for winter? also how often should he drink water?

Answer
Hello Kevin,

Can you post a picture of him for him? I have never seen a scale grow over the nostril. Does he have a respiratory infection perhaps to where he has discharge or mucous coming from his mouth or nose? If his breathing is slowing down, then he may close his nostrils more trying to relax & slow down. We just need to establish if this is what he is doing or if he has a respiratory issue.
How old is he? When they start slowing down for brumation, most times they do stop eating their greens & just want protein to get more fat to help sustain them during the brumation.
If he comes out from time to time, & stays out you can give him or offer him greens & water. If he is out for extended periods you could give him a few bugs, but you will need to make sure that he basks long enough to digest them. You will also need to make sure that he comes out for the next day or so at least a little bit so he can go to the bathroom if he ate.
If he is in pretty deep, he may not come out for several days, or a week or longer at a time.

Please let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

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