Sick bearded dragon (Possible blood in stool).

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Hi :wave:

I have an almost fully grown female bearded dragon. For the past week she hasn't eaten, and for the past couple days, I've been force feeding her. Today, I noticed she had diarrhea and I'm pretty sure I saw blood. I tried feeding her crickets, treats, wax worms, pheonix worms, greens, etc. I'm getting very worried. The temperature is 90°. She also has a UV lamp and a heat rock. I don't want to discuss the heat rock. This one doesn't get too hot, and she doesn't go on it. I don't really know what to do. I also don't have money to take her to the vet. Don't call me a bad owner, money is tight for everyone now. Maybe someone can help me because I don't know what to do. :help: Thanks in advance.
 

kevincease

Hatchling Member
i am guessing it could be worms, i would try giving her a mouthful of Panicure, a dewormer for horses. I've been recommended it by a reputable breeder of mine, and I've used it with success, maybe it's worth a shot? the other option could be a kidney problem perhaps.
 

beardie parents

BD.org Sicko
I'm sorry to say, you could have hookworms. These are nasty and, in my limited experience, hookworms can cause the bleeding in his stools.
I recommend you pm Tracie (drache613). She is one of the best ones on this site to help you.
 

diamc

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Getting a fecal check done would be a good idea & quite inexpensive. Since you think you noticed blood in the stool and she had diarrhea, parasites needs to be ruled out.

You mentioned that the basking temp is only 90 degrees, that is not warm enough to help with digestion & the pooping process, so that could be part of the problem too. The basking temp should be at least 95 degrees and up to 110 measured with either a temperature gun or a digital thermometer with a long wire & probe end. Any type of stick-on thermometer can be off by as much as 20 degrees. You can get an AcuRite brand digital with probe at Walmart for as little as $8.00.

It's also possible that your beardie is dehydrated, that would cause him to have a hard time pooping and could even cause passing a little blood from pushing so hard. Diarrhea will also cause dehydration, so I suggest you give him a bath in warm water, making sure the vent area (where he poos) is right down in the water for at least 15 min. Use warm water & put a washcloth or other small cloth down in the bottom of the sink or container you're using to keep him from sliding around. He may even put his head down to get a drink but watch him closely because they can drown very quickly.

Can you fill us in on the details of the UVB light, what brand, % of output, is it a coil, compact, strip fluorescent or mercury vapor bulb? How close is your beardie to this bulb? What size tank is he in & what is the wattage of the basking bulb? Is it a white or colored bulb?

Are you using calcium and vitamins, if so, how often? What greens/veggies do you feed?
 

kevincease

Hatchling Member
they can drown quickly? I've never heard of that. My beardies swim underwater all the time and keep their heads under for long periods, i've seen as much as 3-5 minutes!
 

diamc

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Kevin, if an owner doesn't realize that beardies can drown, it's very possible that they could set them down in the bath water & walk away, that's why I always give that warning. Babies, especially, can drown very quickly. My adults also put their heads down to get drinks and also dive under the water, but I still feel it necessary to mention the possibility of drowning especially if the beardie has some health issues going on.
 

kevincease

Hatchling Member
i totally agree with you. I just never heard of it before, I was suprised is all, I think i will keep that in mind for the future baths!
 

vickson420

BD.org Addict
Retired Moderator
Yes they can drown especially babies.While they can swim they can also tire out quickly and thats when accidents can happen if they are not being watched.Also when water bowels are kept in the tanks the babies sometimes sleep in the water and being as they sleep so deeply can also drown as well so they should NEVER be left unattended in water.
 

JustInTime

Member
Original Poster
Hey guys... thanks for your answers. I might end up taking my bearded dragon to the vet. I don't want to lose her since I've gotten really attached to her. I love her! But how do I get a poop sample to take to the vet? If she isn't pooping, how do I get one? And plus, she's not eating, hence no poop being made. Any suggestions?
 

vickson420

BD.org Addict
Retired Moderator
Justin
Have you tried babyfood slurry yet?I do think you need a vet so that would be a good idea and I know you dont want to discuss it but I would also try getting rid of the heat rock to see if this helps.Even if it isnt burning your beardie your beardie could be staying on it when you dont realize and far longer then he should be since he cant measure his temps from below which could be causing damaging to his digestive system.
 

diamc

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
It's very important that you do something about the temperatures in her tank. Are you using a stick-on thermometer? Could you also fill us in on the UVB and other answers? Also, how long has she not been eating? She's less than a yr old? And, what substrate do you have on the bottom of the tank?

Warm baths work very well in the poop dept. Another thing you can do is pick up some babyfood applesauce, mix it with a little bit of water or Pedialyte to thin it just a little. Heat in the microwave until quite warm but not hot. Use a plastic medicine dropper & drop it on her nose for her to lick off. You can even do that while she is soaking in her bath. After 15 minutes or so and after feeding the applesauce & she still hasn't pooped, take her out & blot her off. Take a sock & fill it with rice, tie a knot in the end & heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, test the temp by the side of your cheek, should feel quite warm but not hot, wrap the sock up in a washcloth or dishtowel, then wrap the sock & your beardie up in a big fluffy towel. Lay her down on that & the warmth should help produce a poop. You can reheat the rice sock as often as needed. Let us know how it goes & please answer the questions for us, ok?
 

JustInTime

Member
Original Poster
The first opening the vet had was for Monday. There is a reptile show tomorrow, do you think I should take her and get some advice from the breeders there as well? I was thinking about doing that b/c I don't know if she'll be okay until Monday. Okay let me answer the questions. Don't get mad if I'm not doing everything right, I'll try to correct them if you just tell me.

diamc":721f8 said:
Can you fill us in on the details of the UVB light, what brand, % of output, is it a coil, compact, strip fluorescent or mercury vapor bulb? How close is your beardie to this bulb? What size tank is he in & what is the wattage of the basking bulb? Is it a white or colored bulb?

Are you using calcium and vitamins, if so, how often? What greens/veggies do you feed?

The UVB is a coil bulb. I'm pretty sure it's a Fluker's bulb. It's 40 watts, but only uses 15 watts because it's an energy saving bulb. My beardie is within 5-6 inches of the bulb. The tank is a 55 gallon. The basking bulb is 150 watts plus the heat rock. It's a white bulb. I tried the infrared bulb, I did not like it at all. I don't use calcium or vitamins on her. I have some though, just not sure which ones I should give her. (I give them to my russian tortoise.) I feed her romaine lettuce, some healthy treats, green bell peppers, occasionally corn, crickets, wax worms, pheonix worms, dried food for calcium, and I give her water through a dropper. She is on play sand, we are going to change that to reptile sand tomorrow since we're going to the reptile show. I'm going to soak her right now, so I'll check back in an hour to see if someone replied. Thanks a ton!
 
Pls dont take her to reptile show u dont wanna spread infections!!!
I know moeny is tight but she needs help, my vet offers a pay weekly scheme ask bout that!!
 
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