Hello Beardie community!
GREAT NEWS.
It took 10 MONTHS - but Charlie FINALLY POOPED IT ALL OUT.
Two weeks ago she pushed out an oversized marble-shaped waste - and after a dissection I realized what was impacting her:
Last year when Charlie laid eggs I added a new moss/dirt-type substrate to her terrarium so she could bury them - looks like she ate some of it. It definitely wasn't walnut shell substrate.
A few notes on what I think did the trick since my last post (for those who will see this)
- continued the liquid diet of baby food, vitamins & calcium, and Critter Care (post-surgery liquid diet)
- daily warm soaks - I bought a personal foot soaker for myself....and realized it makes the PERFECT HOT TUB for bearded dragons!
The foot soaker has a concealed heating element and keeps water right at the perfect temperature. The bubbles coming from below hit right on her belly - and soaking her with the vibrations/bubbles/heat for a whole hour at a time really helped
I'll post a picture soon.
Another note PLEASE READ THIS REGARDLESS OF YOUR SITUATION:
I found the PERFECT SUBSTRATE!
Since I didn't want to risk her being impacted again - I was using cloth towels - but it became a huge pain having to take them out and wash them each time she poops.
Hence the beauty of substrate acting like a litter, essentially.
We picked up some chicken feed at the pet store - and it works GREAT.
You can get a huge bag for cheap (compared to small bags of "calcium sand"/etc at PetCo) - and it's just made of corn pieces and cracked wheat. My beardie doesn't see it as food, rather just pebble-like substrate.
The best part?! If she accidentally eats some, no compaction risks. HOORAY.
Hope this was helpful - please feel free to message me if your beardie has impaction issues