Not pooping

[Christine Franck]

My beardie, Steve is about a year old, he's always been a good eater and usually poops once per week. The last time he pooped was 2 weeks ago and I am getting very concerned. His appetite is also substantially less which I am assuming it's because he hasn't pooped or also because of it being winter and he's just slowing down since it's cold out. He's in his usual good mood and doesn't seem to be in any type of distress. Nothing looks swollen underneath and his abdomen doesn't feel hard at all. We've been taking him out of his terrarium for periods of time to get him to move around freely and we've tried giving him baths to stimulate his system and nothing has worked. His terrarium is 75 gallons, the warm side today is at 84 degrees and the cool side is at 72 degrees. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Tony McAhren]

What temp is his basking area?

 

[Christine Franck]

What temp is his basking area?

Right now it's at 84 degrees

 

[Tony McAhren]

Should be 100-105.

 

[Christine Franck]

Should be 100-105.

OK, thanks for the info, we've got a couple of ceramic heaters as well as the basking light, so we'll maneuver them around to where we can get the temp up to where it should be.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yep bump up the heat..
Adults Basking 90-95F can also be low 100'sF warm 80-90F cool 70F
As long as the night time temps don't dip below 65F all is good if it does get a CHE to keep temps up.
Also with him being about a year old he could be trying to brumate..
Also what are you feeding him?
What is his set up like? do you have substrate? Is he eating each day? sleeping alot? Is he about to shed?

 

[Christine Franck]

Ok - Thank you so much, we are trying to up the heat. We feed super worms by hand and he has collard greens available all day. Night is in the 70's. We are using Zilla Desert Blend Ground English Walnut Shells for Substrate. He has shed once on his tail since we upped his tank size in the last month. He was eating daily(lots) and ate 2 super worms today, but very limited over the last 2 weeks, as he has not gone poop. He is groggier than normal, but sleeping is not much different. No interest in crickets as he used to hog them down(10-20 per feeding). Prefers hand fed worms and greens(a little spoiled). A week ago, I would sit him in his greens and he would eat, but not in several days.

We have - 75 gallon tank - under tank heater(size appropriate) on hot side. 150wt basking lamp - 65wt ceramic on basking side - 100wt ceramic on cool side. 150wt night bulb on basking side.

Normal temps - 70-75 on cool and 80-85 on basking both night and day.

Is a CHE a ceramic heater?

 

[Hdrydr31]

Ok - Thank you so much, we are trying to up the heat. We feed super worms by hand and he has collard greens available all day. Night is in the 70's. We are using Zilla Desert Blend Ground English Walnut Shells for Substrate. He has shed once on his tail since we upped his tank size in the last month. He was eating daily(lots) and ate 2 super worms today, but very limited over the last 2 weeks, as he has not gone poop. He is groggier than normal, but sleeping is not much different. No interest in crickets as he used to hog them down(10-20 per feeding). Prefers hand fed worms and greens(a little spoiled). A week ago, I would sit him in his greens and he would eat, but not in several days.

We have - 75 gallon tank - under tank heater(size appropriate) on hot side. 150wt basking lamp - 65wt ceramic on basking side - 100wt ceramic on cool side. 150wt night bulb on basking side.

Normal temps - 70-75 on cool and 80-85 on basking both night and day.

Is a CHE a ceramic heater?

crushed walnut shells can lead to impaction (yes they say they are digestible) your dragon needs to be a very hydrated dragon, lucky ones pass it.
Under tank heater should not be used nor is it needed.. Dragon's do not sense heat well on their bellies and can easily burn themselves especially with the substrate they can dig down and be right on the glass that gets very hot...
They should not have any light on at night. As long as the temp doesn't go below 65F they are fine. If they do dip below use the CHE (ceramic heating element) to give heat without the light. Having any light keeps them from sleeping...their 3rd eye on top of their head "see's" the light.
Don't be too alarmed that he's not eating much greens as most of their diet growing up is bugs.

 

[Parker]

Try and keep him hydrated. A warm bath will definitely soothe him, and maybe clear the impaction, he may also drink some of the water. This may help, although this sounds very serious, and I would contact a vet as soon as possible.

 

[Tony McAhren]

Outside of the basking light what are you using?

 

[Parker]

Outside of the basking light what are you using?

Again, I would usually soak mine in warm water, but I also wrap mine up in a blanket (shirt) and put her on a heating pad.

 

[Christine Franck]

Good morning, I am happy to say Steve went poop this morning! Thank you for everyone's thoughts and advice!