could this be adenovirus? is this a worm in stool?

[Didi58]

my bear die has been healthy for 6 years with no issues. suddenly in the past week or so he has been lethargic, not eating, hiding away in his cage or out his cage. I force fed him baby food yesterday and today he managed to make a poop (but still wouldn’t eat). his belly does feel bloated but i’m not sure if it’s fluid. i’m worried it might be. i’ve contacted a website for an adv swab test. could this thing we found in his poop be a worm? please help me as i’ve had him since I was 12 and i’m crying just thinking about losing him

 

[PatsyB]

I would take him to the vet for a checkup. I don't think that is a worm in his poop, since he hasn't really eaten anything it's just the way the poop has come out. It's the time of year that dragons start to brumate and your dragon is at an age to do that so I'm thinking that is what it is. You still need to have him checked because brumation mimics lots of other illnesses.

 

[Tabasco]

I doubt it is ADV unless has been around other infected dragons. Many dragons carry the virus and shed it slowly their entire lives without any ill effects. The can infect other dragons though. Their are two types, one which is much more problematic and often causes death in young or ill beardies suffering frm other issues. Dont bother with the test unless the lab can differentiate between the two types. Also just because it comes back negative does not mean it does not have it. Just might not be shedding it at the time. You have to test several times over a year to be sure. I dont know of any breeders testing their stock any more, most have decided testing is unreliable and that up to 80% of all beardies will test positive at some point.

Also a lot of vets blame ADV when they dont know what caused a death. Often there is another underlying illness. Having ADV does not help though, usually makes thing worse. Give your dragons bee pollen, helps their immune system.

Good luck!