I think it's impaction...

[beardie_love]

Charlie hasn't been himself lately. If you read my post last week, about the temperature change for the weather over here, this is how it started.. His appetite has decreased since last week, but he still had been pooping. He also hasn't been touching his veggies at all.

Today, I noticed a bigger change. He's loves to bask and doesn't usually get off till the lights go out. Today was different. He randomly went onto the sand and fell asleep, as he would when it's his bedtime.... Before this, well, today was his bug day, and he had absolutely no interest in them. So after he was asleep in his sand, I picked him up and took him for a bath because I noticed he hasn't pooped for a few days (2 or 3). After the bath, I put him on the ground into his towel, and he started to move away. I noticed he was barely using his back legs.

I think it's impaction. I have seen him have a little lick of sand before, but I didn't think it was enough to cause problems. And who knows, he could be eating the sand when I'm not home too...

Tomorrow, I'm going to see this reptile guy (he helped me with Ace's impaction and/or injury). If he can't help and if Charlie doesn't improve, I'm taking him to the herp vet. Can anyone help me find one in my area? I'm not too good with looking up these things... I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. If anyone can help, it will be much appreciated.

 

[lexi]

There's several listings here: http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/canrepvt.htm

I'd call ASAP and try to get an appointment - tell them it's an emergency and they may be able to fit you in sooner.

 

[lexi]

I'm sure someone will have some recommendations for what you can do in the meantime to help. Here is a video about clearing impactions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnQvma_OQ8o Keep in mind that once your beardie is experiencing partial paralysis, the situation needs to be dealt with immediately. At this stage, it can quickly become life-threatening, and home treatment may not help, but it's worth a try. You can also try giving him several drops only of vegetable oil. This is another site that may be helpful: http://www.reptilerooms.com/index.php?categoryid=17&p142_id=124&p142_dis=3&p142_template=Simple

 

[valkryja]

... See a vet. I haven't owned bearded dragons for nearly as long as you guys, but this sounds exactly how Wrex was acting the day before he died. It started up out of nowhere and escalated fast.

 

[beardie_love]

The vet listing you providing, Lexi, are they all for exotic pets? And how many drops of vegetable oil? I don't know his weight so I don't know how many drops I should give him.

 

[lexi]

The vet listing you providing, Lexi, are they all for exotic pets? And how many drops of vegetable oil? I don't know his weight so I don't know how many drops I should give him.

Yes, they are reptile vets. How long is he (inches from nose to tail)? You can start with a few drops of mineral oil, olive oil or vegetable oil. For a very young dragon (baby) I'd start with 2 or 3 drops. For a larger dragon, increase the drops to one drop for each 20 grams. To give you an estimate, I have two dragons (one female, one male) - my female is 3 years old and my male is 5 months. They both look visually the same size. The female is 15" from nose to tail and is 300 grams. My male is between 17"-18" from nose to tail and is 350 grams. If you don't have a scale, this is the best length-to-weight ratio I know how to give. Both of them are healthy (not overweight).

 

[beardie_love]

He's 16 inches

 

[lexi]

If he's 16" and not under or over weight, he's probably somewhere in the range of 300 grams, so about 15 drops.

I'd go with that and see how he does.

 

[beardie_love]

Okay thanks, I will do just that. No school for me tomorrow, Charlie needs my help.... :'(

 

[lexi]

Read the web page I referenced above. There are more detailed instructions there. I wouldn't wait until tomorrow to start trying to move the impaction out.

 

[beardie_love]

Charlie's okay today. What? ??? He was using his legs n all.... I don't understand... And he's still responsive and alert. I'm so confused. But he's going for a warm bath and I'm giving him some baby food.. Hopefully things can go well today.

 

[renich]

Dragons keep us on our toes, that's for sure.

If he hasn't pooped in a few days, I'd give daily baths. Gently message his tummy to see if you feel a lump. If you do, he needs to go. Continue with daily baths. The warm water will help him go.

Consider switching out the sand ASAP. For babies, you can use papertowels, newspaper, shelf liner or reptile carpet.

 

[beardie_love]

Yep, the sand will go asap. I was only keeping it because I was trying to seel his tank to buy a bigger one.... Anyway, yeah, the sand will go. I'm going to be treating him for a while and see if anything passes through. I just thought about something, too. He hasn't eaten since Saturday, which is probably why he hasn't gone to the bathroom? I talked to this reptile guy and he said his appetite has changed probably because of the strange weather change over here. (This is also happening to my babies - a decrease in appetite). So I don't find it totally strange that Charlie isn't eating. I will continue the daily baths as well. He won't eat his greens or worms. I bought him baby food so I can try to get him to eat it. I have veggies + chicken, peas, and prunes. Is it okay to give him the veggies and chicken, to get the protein he needs? Please give feedback on these baby foods. He also won't take the vegetable oil. Any other suggestions?

 

[renich]

Baby food has been used by some to help their dragons in times of need. I personally would try other means. I am one to keep their diet as it should be. In dire times, I would toss his greens, bugs, calcium and vitamin in a blender/food processor. Then syringe feed him.

However, if he is truly impacted, you don't want him to eat too much. You want him to pass it. I would keep up the baths and gently message his tummy while soaking.

It is so hard to diagnose these things over the internet. If you are truly concerned and his behavior is odd, I would definitely take him into a herp vet.

 

[beardie_love]

If I had a blender/food processor, I would.. but sadly I don't. The thing is, now I reconsidered the impaction problem. I mean, he hasn't really eaten since he last pooped. So how can he be impacted. But, sand may be a factor. We'll see how things go in the next few days.

 

[beardie_love]

Just an update on Charlie,

He's now eating all of his food. Yesterday I made a big salad and when I came home there was barely anything left. ;D And more GOOD NEWS, he pooped! I put him in the bathtub last night, and he was going kind of nuts moving around and such. Then suddenly he started to go. It was about twice as much and he usually does.. so I guess he was impacted. :-\ Good thing that's over now!

 

[renich]

Yippee!!!! Doing the poop dance. That is great news. I bet Charlie feels so much better.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

That is great!

 

[staylor]

Glad to here he is pooping and eating again. I know you are so relived.