Beardie ate a washer

[AMHaak]

My beardie ate a metal washer yesterday. He seems to be fine. The washer was smaller than a dime, and it did not have any zinc or copper in it. I was just wondering if there is anything I should do, or if I should just let it pass on it's own.

Thanks,
Angie

 

[duke11]

I would watch out for impaction. Try feeding him apple juice, apple sauce, 100% pure pumpkin, or olive oil to keep his system moving. Give him warm baths often and massage his belly. If he hasn't pooped in a while, I'd notify your vet. If you feel the washer in his belly and he's impacted, I'd see the vet. Let us know how he does.

Erin

 

[AMHaak]

Thanks for the help. Do you mix the olive oil with anything, and also how much do you give him?

 

[gini]

Someones beardie just ate a penny and it wasn't a good outcome. I would take it to a vet...

 

[duke11]

I tried just plain olive oil but Duke doesn't like it so I mix it with applesauce. And I would highly recommend seeing your vet.

 

[AMHaak]

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[AMHaak]

What would the vet be able to do if I did take him in?

 

[Gail]

do a x-ray to see where the washer is, possibly administer laxative or surgery to remove the washer if it gets stuck.

 

[AMHaak]

I took my beardie to the ER vet last night, and they did x-rays. They saw that the washer was still in the stomach, so they did an endoscope on him last night. I called the vet this morning, and they said he was doing fine. I had to leave him at the ER vet last night because the doctor wasn't going to be in until 9pm. They did not get done with the procedure until 11:30pm. I had to be to work this morning at 6am, so sadly I had to leave him there. He will be there until I get done with work at 2:30pm today. I felt so bad leaving him there, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I hope he not to stressed out, or upset with mommy. All I know is that he is one expensive beardie because the procedure cost me $500, but I guess you have to do anything to make them better. I just hope the recovery goes smoothly. I think I am going to post something in the ER forum about how to take care of a beardie after an endoscope. Thanks again for every ones help.

 

[gini]

I'm so glad you got him to the vet. I do hope that his recovery is smooth and good!!!! Keep us posted.

 

[AMHaak]

I will keep you posted. I hate just sitting here at work know that my poor little Harley is sitting in the ER clinic all by himself. He is probably so scared. I only have another 4 hours til I get to see him.

 

[athenacp]

Awww, keeping you and Harley in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[duke11]

Good job for taking him to the vet! I hope Harley recovers well. I'm sure we'll all appreciate how to care for a beardie after that kind of procedure. Let us know how he does!

Erin

 

[spyder79]

hows he doing? what did the vet tell you about after care? i hope he makes a full recovery for you. Did they have to cut him open or where they able to sedate him and get it out orally?

 

[AMHaak]

I finally got Harley home yesterday after work. He is doing very well. I did not bother him to much when I got him home because I wanted to let him rest.

So I will tell you what they did to my poor little guy. First I had to leave him there all by himself. Which was horrible for me. Then they started the procedure around 9pm. They put a little gas mask on his face, so they could sedate him. They did not have to cut him open. They stuck an endoscope down his throat to try to pull it out because when they first did an x-ray the washer was in his stomach still. When they tried to pull it out through his throat they could not find it in his stomach. They did another x-ray and saw that it was in his colon, so they had to do a colonoscopy on him to get the washer out.

The Doc told me there is nothing else I need to do for him that he will be just fine. She told me there was no internal damage, so that made me very happy. The total cost $622.75, 2 very happy owners, and one very healthy beardie!!!!!!!!