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Sorry....crazy summer here, just seeing this post now.
First, great looking beardie. Max is very handsome.
The oyster shells...not the best for substrate. It is a particle which can cause impaction. It falls into the same category as the English walnut shells....very dangerous. A non particle substrate is always the best. Non adhesive shelf liner, paper towels, ceramic tile. If you really want a particle substrate stick with regular washed sifted playsand.
Thanks for the responces altho at the moment we are very concerned about maix as he has got something wrong with him looks like his reproductive bits have fallen out of him and he cannot use his back legs at the moment, We called our local zoo who keeps beardies and they advised us he has had a hernia and is probably severely bruised which is why he wont move his legs, We hope thats the case and a vets visit is planned for this afternoon fingers crossed its nothing more serious.
No idea if he had been struggling but there was poop on the floor near him and it looked normal. Im just going on what the zoo said when i described maxi's condition to them. Friend advised we soaked him in a bath of warm water and pushed the bits back in but i wouldnt do that so a soak was all he got but i keep putting water around his mouth so he at least gets some moisture - he keeps twitching his back legs so i know there must be feeling there its a worry and concern but hopefully the vets will get back to us verry soon and i can get him in for treatment.
It could be either. A warm soak with some sugar is a good idea. If it is a prolapse then that can help. Not sure I would push anything, especially since you have an appointment. Sometimes these things just happen and other times it is due to something. Honestly, when I saw the shells, I got a bit nervous and now with you mentioning this, I am going to suggest taking them out. Maybe it had a play in this. Maybe not though. If he ingested some of it while eating it could cause an impaction. I would take it out just to be safe either way.
Please let us know how the appointment goes...what time?
Shells were removed after we posted the pics and everyone commented on the fact they shouldnt have been there - we placed some lino in the bottom not quite the same tho he used to like digging the shell out under his rock to get deeper inside hasnt helped with his claws either they look like they might need a trim so i will be getting some tiles soon as my dads finished decorating his kitchen
has maxi been tested for parasites? anything is possible with live feeders.
I'd do the soak, and add some sugar to the water as li suggested. If the lapse will easily go back in (use a moistened and lubricated q-tip) then put it back in. But assume it will happen again, and find the cause. Hopefully the vet can help with that. You main goal is to not let the area dry out. Dry is bad.
Chances are there are going to be some antibiotics needed to prevent infection. We'll be glad to assist you with the best way to handle that.
Hi nope as far as i know Maxi hasnt been tested for parasites. Do you recomend the soak even tho he will soon ( i hope) be going to the vets ? if so what temp water should i do and how much sugar and also what type granulated or caster ???? please reply asap so i can get on with it
Yes, I do recommend the soak. And if your weather is suiting to transport fluid, do that. If not, dampen paper towels for transport and make a rice bag for him to lay on for warmth. I can offer more info if you need it.
Sugar is regular cane sugar. If you're using a tub pan, you'll use about 1 cup to every 3 gallons of water. Water should be about the temperature of a regular soak, but not too warm, remember heat swells, cool reduces. So about tepid.
at the moment re advice heres maxi in the bath looks alert and i notice his bits are back inside but still not moving his back legs other that the twitches that are happening i guess spasms or maybe from pain hope not tho - Also i noticed he is puffed up like a puffer fish in the water guessing thats normal so he floats
whatever is going on, it hasn't been impacting for a long peroid, or tho it appears. Which generally means the damage is minimal. This is good. Try to keep him relaxed, warm and if it comes back out, moist until you get to the vet.
OK thanks for all the responces so far he is out of the water and in his tank with lamp on heat at the moment is 90.3 and yes its a digital thermomiter put him directly under the lamp while i picked kids up but will move him to the cooler part of the tank didnt want him to get too cold after his bath should i put a moist paper towel bed under him or maybe a sponge soaked in water ??? i have a brand new one that would do the trick or even a shammy maybe just to keep moisture under his belly untill we goto the vets