BATH: Could Someone Please Help Me?

[lazer]

My youngest son gifted me his Bearded dragon when she was just a juvenile. She is roughly 5/6 years old. For as long as I have had her, she has always had issues with constipation. In fact, the last time she went, it was after a month from her previous movement. I am very aware of the diet she should be on, but as many of you know, many B.D.'s are as particular as a 2 year old when it comes to eating. I feed her mostly Phoenix Worms (trying to get away from the large, not super, meal worms). I gut load them nicely. The funny thing is, is that as soon as the temperature goes above 95 degrees in her "hot spot," she bolts to the cooler side. I have an inferred temperature thermometer so I do know that it is indeed that temperature.

Ok, I will now digress from the first paragraph that probably has nothing to do with my question . Even though my B.D. had a large movement, I can tell that her stomach is hurting her. She atypically refused to eat the Phoenix worms I gave her (I feed her every other day because of concern about her weight).

On the opposite side of the tank, I have a log, and two soft washcloths with and under the tank heater under the washcloths. I just checked in on her and she is laying flat on her stomach on the washcloths.

So, I have a problem with bathing her. If I use a large rectangular plastic tub (something like Tupperware). But after she goes, I try to hold her away from the feces. But there is all of this light pieces that float around and always get all over her. The area of the country that I live, in is not so warm now, so I can't lightly hose the pieces off of her outside. I tried a sink, but the pieces are too large to go down the drain and I am faced with the same problem with the floating debris. In addition, she is always trying to get out of the sink.

So, does anyone have any suggestions for me? I would really like to help her today because I can't stand to see her when I know she is in pain. When I say that will be extremely gladdened for the help, I am not even close to exaggerating. I take care of her obsessively, but not in a psychopathological way ha, ha.

Please don't be upset because I may post this same question in some other forums here because she is in pain and I feel for her so much. Thanks for understanding.

 

[BeardedDragon's°For°Life]

Take her to the nearest reptile vet! I'm sure if there is something wrong with her belly you should take care of it right away! About the bathing. To get rid of the pieces on her, you can get a slightly wet rag and rub it against her, ((Softly)) and about the pieces. Bath her in a large container then empty out the water when dirty, it's always good to have fresh warm water for bathing your beardie. ( I know you posted along time ago, but hope this helped!) *and you should be feeding her some fruits and veggies everyday, also if you want crickets are great feeders too, for variety.*

 

[jarich]

Install a garbage disposal in your sink. Just make sure you bleach your sink out each time. Dragons carry a host of bacteria that shouldnt be left in your kitchen.

However, that wont solve the larger problem of your dragon's bowel movements being so inconsistent. I know its tough to take away their favourite food, but it sounds like its necessary in this case. They arent so much picky, they are simply lizards. If you continue to feed them the food they favour, they wont bother to eat the rest. We give them human characteristics, and of course they are all a bit different, but they will eat the food you give them if it comes to that. You need to get it on some vegetable matter, especially at that age. Its dehydrated and possibly obese, and thats why it isnt able to have regular bowel movements unfortunately. Its kind of like having an obese kid who only likes steak. You can keep feeding it that, and it will develop the problems it has and eventually those will develop into bigger problems. Alternatively you can make it eat what it should be eating and get it back to the healthy life it needs to lead. Dragons are exceptional at conserving energy, so its literally nothing for them to go a week or two without food at that age. Stop feeding it worms for a few days and see if it isnt more amenable to some vegetables at that point.