Mild diarrhea, no vets open

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
The last two times Jasper has had a bowel movement, it has been watery, almost like mucous. It also had a tiny bit of undigested food, what looked like a couple slivers of bell pepper skin and superworm shell/exoskeleton. I tried to get a picture, but it was while he was out of his tank sitting on a dark towel, and the only thing that was visible was the urate.
Other than that, he seems to be acting normally, a little grumpy but I assumed that was because his head is shedding at first. He still has an appetite, even eating his greens, and has been very active whenever he’s been out the last couple days, climbing and jumping around.
I can’t find any vets within a 3 hour drive open besides an emergency room, but I can’t tell how urgent it is - I’ve had a lot going on personally this last week and my anxiety has been pretty awful.
Is this something that can wait a few days and monitor him, or more serious? What can I do in the meantime?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
The last two times Jasper has had a bowel movement, it has been watery, almost like mucous. It also had a tiny bit of undigested food, what looked like a couple slivers of bell pepper skin and superworm shell/exoskeleton. I tried to get a picture, but it was while he was out of his tank sitting on a dark towel, and the only thing that was visible was the urate.
Other than that, he seems to be acting normally, a little grumpy but I assumed that was because his head is shedding at first. He still has an appetite, even eating his greens, and has been very active whenever he’s been out the last couple days, climbing and jumping around.
I can’t find any vets within a 3 hour drive open besides an emergency room, but I can’t tell how urgent it is - I’ve had a lot going on personally this last week and my anxiety has been pretty awful.
Is this something that can wait a few days and monitor him, or more serious? What can I do in the meantime?
Diet can cause watery stools -- the undigested bugs / worms tell me the surface basking temps are not high enough -- how old is Jasper? You want surface basking temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-- no stick ons please they are inaccurate --
 

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
Diet can cause watery stools -- the undigested bugs / worms tell me the surface basking temps are not high enough -- how old is Jasper? You want surface basking temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-- no stick ons please they are inaccurate --
I have them set on a thermostat with a probe, but I do check them still with an infrared. This morning the hot side was 96, the cooler side 75, I also have a small basking light set up for him near the window he likes to sit by when he’s not in his tank.
I’m not positive on his age, I think between 5 or 6?
 

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
I have them set on a thermostat with a probe, but I do check them still with an infrared. This morning the hot side was 96, the cooler side 75, I also have a small basking light set up for him near the window he likes to sit by when he’s not in his tank.
I’m not positive on his age, I think between 5 or 6?
Although he has been sitting in his hide a lot the last couple days, which is on the cooler side, if that could impact it
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Although he has been sitting in his hide a lot the last couple days, which is on the cooler side, if that could impact it
Please increase the basking temps up to 100 and see if the undigested food gets better- cool side up to 80ish please -- how long is he out for? IR guns are good but I would go by your digital probe thermometer - what are you feeding for salads? Too many watery veggies like squash or cucumber green peppers etc can cause watery stools as well -- what are you using for a UVB ? please no coils
 

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
Please increase the basking temps up to 100 and see if the undigested food gets better- cool side up to 80ish please -- how long is he out for? IR guns are good but I would go by your digital probe thermometer - what are you feeding for salads? Too many watery veggies like squash or cucumber green peppers etc can cause watery stools as well -- what are you using for a UVB ? please no coils
Will do. Maybe an hour to an hour and a half? He doesn’t come out every day though, just a few times each week.
The last week or so, mostly dandelion greens, a little bit of clover, butternut squash, a tiny bit of red bell pepper, a couple snap peas, dubia roaches, and a couple super worms. He got a couple blueberries about a week and a half ago? I did just get a new calcium powder, Zoo Med Repticalcium, got the one with D3 without realizing it.
I have a 24in Arcadia tube bulb, just replaced it about three weeks ago. It’s about 10in above his basking spot.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Will do. Maybe an hour to an hour and a half? He doesn’t come out every day though, just a few times each week.
The last week or so, mostly dandelion greens, a little bit of clover, butternut squash, a tiny bit of red bell pepper, a couple snap peas, dubia roaches, and a couple super worms. He got a couple blueberries about a week and a half ago? I did just get a new calcium powder, Zoo Med Repticalcium, got the one with D3 without realizing it.
I have a 24in Arcadia tube bulb, just replaced it about three weeks ago. It’s about 10in above his basking spot.
Diet sounds good -- can you post a pic of the poop please-- out time is good -- try increasing the surface basking temps and lets see if that clears up the watery stool as well -
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

As Karrie suggested, usually increasing basking temps helps with overall digestion. I doubt a few
blueberries would cause watery stools. You may find that his stools might just naturally have more
fluid with them. Though you don't want him having diarrhea, that will dehydrate him.
You could try adding some canned or fresh pumpkin a couple of times per week, or even sweet
potato, to see if that helps to firm things up some.

Tracie
 

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
Diet sounds good -- can you post a pic of the poop please-- out time is good -- try increasing the surface basking temps and lets see if that clears up the watery stool as well -
Kind of difficult to get a clear picture, it was more wet than it looks since it happened on a towel. There was some smell, but not extreme. He still seems to be doing okay besides that, alert, still eating well and active. He is also still mid-shed, most of his belly and tail are peeling right now
E0C0FC7E-2C6E-4D4E-A377-F2F5C2E42B89.jpeg
 

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Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I know it's hard to get a picture sometimes!
It doesn't look too bad but a little messy. Are
you trying to get some extra oral fluids right now
since he seems to be losing extra water through
the looser stools?
Sometimes shedding can cause stress on their
systems. You could try to get some canned non
spiced pumpkin or sweet potato to help firm up
the stool some.
Try to be sure he is spending enough time under
the basking light. Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie
 

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
Hello,

I know it's hard to get a picture sometimes!
It doesn't look too bad but a little messy. Are
you trying to get some extra oral fluids right now
since he seems to be losing extra water through
the looser stools?
Sometimes shedding can cause stress on their
systems. You could try to get some canned non
spiced pumpkin or sweet potato to help firm up
the stool some.
Try to be sure he is spending enough time under
the basking light. Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie
Hello, yes, I have been trying to, mostly by spraying his veggies when I feed him - I don’t have much success with other ways.
I’m having a hard time making sure he’s been actually basking, he stays in his hide a lot, so I’ve been setting up a basking light for him by his window spot while I have him out, he seems to stay under that one longer than his basking spot in his tank. I’ve increased the temps on both to see if that helps.
I just got some fresh sweet potatoes, do you know if that would work as well? He’s still having issues with it as of this morning. Thank you!
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hello, yes, I have been trying to, mostly by spraying his veggies when I feed him - I don’t have much success with other ways.
I’m having a hard time making sure he’s been actually basking, he stays in his hide a lot, so I’ve been setting up a basking light for him by his window spot while I have him out, he seems to stay under that one longer than his basking spot in his tank. I’ve increased the temps on both to see if that helps.
I just got some fresh sweet potatoes, do you know if that would work as well? He’s still having issues with it as of this morning. Thank you!
Feed the sweet potato shredded raw on top of his salads - let us know if that firms up the poop
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

Yes, the fresh sweet potato is good, he should love the taste of it also.
Hopefully he will start improving, that can't be fun for him! If he isn't basking as much as
he should be that could definitely be the cause of digestive issues.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie
 

dandelion

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Jasper
Feed the sweet potato shredded raw on top of his salads - let us know if that firms up the poop
4E6FE097-0B12-4FFD-90DB-9257C9470AA6.jpeg
It kind of seems like it’s getting worse. I have an appointment coming up for the vet, but it’s a couple weeks away, unless I can find a cancellation or take him to emergency care. Not sure why they're booked out so far.
Other than that, he doesn’t seem to be doing too badly, a little less active, but it’s hard to tell if that’s from not feeling well or the cold snap the last couple days. Still eating and alert.
I’ve made sure he’s been getting some good basking time, warm enough for him to start gaping a couple moments, and he got almost a half hour of sunshine outside today. I’m just worried about him losing so much water, I make sure he has plenty of fresh water available, but I don’t know if he’s drinking it at all. Still spraying his food. I haven’t changed his diet, aside from adding sweet potato.
 

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