Beardie Diet Change, Poop Green

[Bailey]

I got my bearded dragon two days ago and he was eating pellets of some sort before I got him.

I switched him over to superworms and crickets, got him some collard greens, green pepper, carrots, and a little blueberry and he has eaten some of that for probably the first time ever in his life.

He then pooped today and it was green and watery, it smelled awful. Is this a result of change in diet? Should I be concerned and get a fecal sample at the vet? Just want some thoughts of experienced keepers.

 

[Sadie]

I got my bearded dragon two days ago and he was eating pellets of some sort before I got him.

I switched him over to superworms and crickets, got him some collard greens, green pepper, carrots, and a little blueberry and he has eaten some of that for probably the first time ever in his life.

He then pooped today and it was green and watery, it smelled awful. Is this a result of change in diet? Should I be concerned and get a fecal sample at the vet? Just want some thoughts of experienced keepers.

He could have parasites --- but I would wait and see if the diet changes the poop here in the next week --- Please NO more pellets --- feed the crickets and sparingly on the super worms --- how old is the dragon? here is a website for nutrition
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder--
If the poop continues to be runny and very smelly like enough to drive your from the room smell then get a fecal into the vet --- see if you can drop one off w/ out having to take him in -- but give the food a chance to see if it straightens out --- your basking temps and UVB play a huge role in the poop as well -- what are you using for a UVB ? brand and bulb and is it a coil or tube and where in the tank is it? Basking temps should be 105-110 for a baby and 95-110 for a juvie taken w/ a digital probe thermometer --- NO stick ons they are inaccurate ---

 

[Bailey]

He could have parasites --- but I would wait and see if the diet changes the poop here in the next week --- Please NO more pellets --- feed the crickets and sparingly on the super worms --- how old is the dragon? here is a website for nutrition
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder--
If the poop continues to be runny and very smelly like enough to drive your from the room smell then get a fecal into the vet --- see if you can drop one off w/ out having to take him in -- but give the food a chance to see if it straightens out --- your basking temps and UVB play a huge role in the poop as well -- what are you using for a UVB ? brand and bulb and is it a coil or tube and where in the tank is it? Basking temps should be 105-110 for a baby and 95-110 for a juvie taken w/ a digital probe thermometer --- NO stick ons they are inaccurate ---

He is five years old.

The seller of the dragon offered me the pellets but I have done enough research to know better than that so I didn't even take him. I brought him home and immediately gave him fresh greens and bugs.

As far as lighting goes, he's under a spiral UVB light until the 5.0 Desert ReptiSun Linear I ordered gets here tomorrow by 9:00 PM. His heat lamp is a 100 watt reptile heat bulb.

I don't think it is parasites because he has only ever ate pellets. There was one dead cricket in the cage when I cleaned it out but dried poo everywhere. (It is completely cleaned and sanitized now).

 

[Bailey]

I have experience with lighting as it is very important with my Veiled Chameleon.

So no worries there, it will be sorted for sure tomorrow. I'm just shocked he's not developed any noticeable signs of MBD.

 

[HoomanSlave]

Sudden dietary changes are common causes of discolored and watery poop.
Since he survived on dry pellets for a long time, his body isn't used to all the moisture and color in the greens. He should adjust fairly quickly to his new diet. If the poop stays that consistency long term, there may be a parasite issue.

 

[Sadie]

He is five years old.

The seller of the dragon offered me the pellets but I have done enough research to know better than that so I didn't even take him. I brought him home and immediately gave him fresh greens and bugs.

As far as lighting goes, he's under a spiral UVB light until the 5.0 Desert ReptiSun Linear I ordered gets here tomorrow by 9:00 PM. His heat lamp is a 100 watt reptile heat bulb.

I don't think it is parasites because he has only ever ate pellets. There was one dead cricket in the cage when I cleaned it out but dried poo everywhere. (It is completely cleaned and sanitized now).

Your dragon needs a 10.0 bulb -- the 5.0 is not strong enough you can use it but I would get a Reptisun 10.0 T 8 bulb - the Zilla is not a very good bulb and the Reptisun is better for him especially the 5.0 Zilla --- what size is the fixture? Its going to need to go inside the tank w/ NO plastic cover over the bulb --- and a distance of 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor piece --- that bulb will need to be changed out in 6 months --- or a month prior to from when you install it --

 

[Bailey]

Your dragon needs a 10.0 bulb -- the 5.0 is not strong enough you can use it but I would get a Reptisun 10.0 T 8 bulb - the Zilla is not a very good bulb and the Reptisun is better for him especially the 5.0 Zilla --- what size is the fixture? Its g

Your dragon needs a 10.0 bulb -- the 5.0 is not strong enough you can use it but I would get a Reptisun 10.0 T 8 bulb - the Zilla is not a very good bulb and the Reptisun is better for him especially the 5.0 Zilla --- what size is the fixture? Its going to need to go inside the tank w/ NO plastic cover over the bulb --- and a distance of 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor piece --- that bulb will need to be changed out in 6 months --- or a month prior to from when you install it --

I got the 10.0, my bad! It’s just a giant tank with a screen on top that slides open. The rest is glass.

 

[Bailey]

Also, I always have back up bulbs so thanks for the info.

 

[Sadie]

I got the 10.0, my bad! It’s just a giant tank with a screen on top that slides open. The rest is glass.

So you have the zilla bulb or Reptisun? And it's a T 8? It still needs to be inside the tank w/ No obstruction- distance 6-8 inches directly above decor piece

 

[Bailey]

So you have the zilla bulb or Reptisun? And it's a T 8? It still needs to be inside the tank w/ No obstruction- distance 6-8 inches directly above decor piece

I can’t put it on top? I have nothing to secure it in.

It’s the ReptiSun brand.

 

[HoomanSlave]

I can’t put it on top? I have nothing to secure it in.

It’s the ReptiSun brand.

The screen filters out most of the UVB. To mount it inside, you can make/commission custom hooks to attach to the screen, very strong velcro strips, zip ties, and anything else you can figure out.

 

[Bailey]

The screen filters out most of the UVB. To mount it inside, you can make/commission custom hooks to attach to the screen, very strong velcro strips, zip ties, and anything else you can figure out.

Okay, just don't want anything catching fire!

Also is it normal for my bearded dragon to puff his beard slightly when basking? It's not dark or anything and the rest of his body is expanded too.

 

[HoomanSlave]

That's pretty common in basking beardies, especially in the morning when the lights first go on. There are some interesting theories (cranky in the morning, making room for breakfast, getting rid of shed), and the exact reason is different for each beardie and situation. If it isn't dark or extended much, he's probably not in pain or stressed out.