Lethargic Bearded Dragon

Question
Hi,

My son went to his father's for 2 weeks over the Christmas holiday and left his lizards in my care. I maintained their vivariums (water, food, cleaning, etc.), except for the Bearded dragons lamp - I turned it off(my mistake). Now my son's BD is lethargic, thin, and won't eat. I am hoping that I've just triggered brumation. Can I bring him out of it? I have begun hydrating him with water + electrolyte and D3 suppliment 2x a day. I also turned the basking light back on (it is a UV-a / UV-b bulb) and added a side heating pad.

Is it time to take him to a vet or can some TLC bring him back to health? I feel absolutely terrible that I have caused so much suffering to this wonderful animal.

Thank you,
Lucinda

Answer
Hello Lucinda,

How old is your dragon?  How is he looking today, are his eyes bright or are they sunken in?  
Could you tell what type & brand of UVB are you using, is it a flourescent tube or a compact or coil?  What type of basking light are you using?  Is it a bright white light or a colored bulb?  
You mentioned a basking light with UVB included, are you using a mercury vapor lamp?  If so, what is the brand of it?  How close is it to him?  
I would not use a heating pad though, that will overheat him in conjunction with overhead heating.  They don't sense heat from below very well.  What are you using to measure the temps right now?  A stick on thermometer or a digital probe or a temp gun?  
I would continue to hydrate him, but only give the D3 once daily.  Use diluted pedialyte to get some electrolytes into him.  What are you feeding him currently?

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie