Beardie has not had a bowel movement

[Bear522]

My adult beardie has not had a bowel movement in two weeks. He really does not like baths, so we put the top of a tupperware container in the tank and fill with water and he will sit in there but it is not deep. He is eating okay and we do spray him. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tigg]

Give him a bath. Warm water up to his arm pits making sure his vent is fully submerged... Baths are key here, and an un happy beardie is better than an impacted beardie! Beside if he really doesn't like it, the splashing around and trying to get out just may promote a bowel movement.

If you really must, then just use a larger container in his tank. Just be sure the water is deep enough to submerge his vent completely.

If nothing passes after just a few min in the water, you can try to very gently massage the right side of his belly with your finger, starting at his arm pit and making very gentle circular motions down to his vent feeling for any hard lumps.

If all else fails you can try feeding some unsweetened apple sauce, or a couple drops of olive oil either directly by mouth, on a cricket, or in his salad. This will act as a laxitive and help get things moving along.

Repeat the baths daily until he stools.

 

[Bear522]

I will do what you recommended today, previously we had tried to give him a bath in the sink and he practically jumped out. I got nervous because i did not want him to get hurt. Thank you so much for your advice. I will post our outcome. Thanks again.

 

[Tigg]

Try using your bathtub so he has a little room to swim around. You can leave your hand in the water underneath him for a little while until he gets used to it.

Most beardies don't like baths in the very begining but that quickly learn to love them...

And best of all, next to oral fluids, baths are the best way to hydrate your beardie because they are able to absord water through their vent (cloaca) If you can get your little guy used to baths, you can stop misting water in the cage all together since misting can lead to health problems.

Good luck!

 

[Bear522]

Thank you for your info on misting I will stop that. I put a large rectangular tupperware top with water in his cage. He sat with his front feet out of it for about 1/2 hour (God forbid he put his whole body in ) Anyway when he came out he pooped. Oh how the silly things make us so happy. Thank you for your help.

 

[Tigg]

Yeah it's amazing the things that will amuse us beardie owners! lol

Glad I could help!

 

[need2nogurl]

Man I'm glad I came across this post, I was going to create my own but knew better to check first to see any recent postings. Elvis hasn't gone to the bathroom in about a week and today it looked like his vent was swollen a little. He will be sleeping by the time I get off work so I might take him out and try the massaging his bell thing, and tomorrow morning I will give him a bath. Thanks for the post and the great advice.