Beardie not eating, hind legs won't move, constipated?

[Ledford]

My baby Bearded Dragon's hind legs are not moving and there is a swelling in its lower back & stomach area, aswell as it's vent.

Aquarium Information:
22-gallon.
Newspaper substrate.
basking spot of 110-15
Cooler spot of 87-94.
Shallow water dish of approximately an inch and a half, only filled near to the inch though.
Lighting: Reptisun

Beaded Information.
Size: 3 inches
Diet: Small crickets about 3-4 times a day with 3-5 crickets at the serving time.
Calcium and vitamin Sup.
Age: 6 weeks

1 cage mate who is hyper and healthy and also a beardie of the same age. Does not bully the now more sickley one.

The Bearded has a swollen hind quarters and is not passing any fecal matter. The rest of the body will flatten out sometimes and at other moments puff up. He will also stiffen up with front arms at the side(back legs seem limp and aren't used for moving) and head pointed in an arial position. Most of the time when he does this I will slowly and cautiously push the head down with the finger tips of the opposite hand he is resting in.

I will run some warm water in a dish and let him soak in it, while massaging his side, back, and belly with my finger tips.

Please help, I am worried about my Beardie.

Thanks, Ledford.

 

[ilovebeardeddragons]

I noticed in the diet that you only feed him crickets? Is there any greens you feed them. Also even if the beardies get along you shouldnt house them togeather. He is porbubly constipated. This could be from a lack of greens if you only feed him crickets. What size crickets do you feed him? They shouldnt be any bigger than the width between your beradies eyes. Also if he isnt going to the bathroom try some baby food to help wash out all the old food.

 

[Ledford]

Is there any specific reasons I should not house them together? Both were born from the same batch. They won't eat many greens. A supply is kept around just in case though. The crickets are near hatching size..so a little over half the width between the eyes.

 

[ilovebeardeddragons]

Well are they both boys/both girls? Theres reasons for both even if they are from the same hatch. When they are little they usually wont eat muhc greens mine didnt. Just make sure there is always fresh in there because eventually they will go and eat it. Try the baby food. just put some on your finger or on a spoon and let them eat it. I can almost garentee he will eat it. Get a fruit kind like mango or peach.

 

[Ledford]

what kind of baby food?

 

[jortiz9758]

How big is that baby dragon?...3 inches??

 

[Ledford]

Correct. Its about 6-9 weeks old. Some confusion among information discussed between the breeder and myself.

 

[ilovebeardeddragons]

The stuff in the little jars. Some sort of fruit kind.

 

[Emeraldcoast]

My baby Bearded Dragon's hind legs are not moving and there is a swelling in its lower back & stomach area, as well as it's vent.

This sounds like impaction. I am VERY concerned about the swelling. Time is very important here. DO NOT HESITATE FOR VERY LONG. If you try the following ideas, and they DON'T WORK, get your baby to a vet, preferably a reptile vet, ASAP! The fact that the legs already are not working properly is a bad sign. The impaction, if that is what it is, interferes with legs by putting pressure on the nerves. The longer the pressure lasts, the better the chances are that the damage can be permanent.

ANY vet can help with swabbing the vent area, etc. Make sure you get a FULL FECAL EXAM done as soon as possible. A basic exam looks for parasites ONLY. A FULL fecal exam looks for parasites AND bacteria as well (such as aspergillis and salmonella). It may be impaction, or a gut load of parasites. This is why it is soooo important not to wait too long. Either condition puts your baby's lfe at risk.

Hydration is important. Try with a plastic syringe (w/o the needle) to give a little water. yOU COULD, PERHAPS, DILUTE THE APPLESAUCE WITH WATER. You can coax the mouth open by inserting the syringe thru the lips at the rear of the jaws. When the mouth opens, try to put a little water near the back of the tongue, NOT AT THE BACK OF THE THROAT.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO ACCIDENTALLY MAKE YOUR BABY ASPIRATE THE WATER INTO THE LUNGS.


During baths, gently massage the tummy TOWARD the vent. Repeat this a few times a day, if necessary.

You can use a tiny amount of olive oil to help move things along.

You can use baby food applesause, also. Although apples are an appetite suppressant, a little should not hurt your baby at this point.

Using latex or non latex gloves, hold your baby with one hand in the vertical position. Inspect the vent area.

You can GENTLY squeeze the areas on both sides of the vent to try and expel any fecal matter that may be present. You can use a cotton swab.

Is there a mucous plug sticking out? If so, it is safe to GENTLY remove it. IF it WON'T REMOVE, consult a vet.


You can use a cotton swab to clean the vent area.

Take a swab and gently clean the inside of the vent out. DON'T go far or deep inside.
Do this a few times. Let your baby de-stress in between cleanings. Repeat.
Is the swab coming out clean or dirty?

If dirty, continue a few swabs. DISCONTINUE if it is clean, or blood or suspicious discharge is seen. CONSULT A REPTILE VET IMMEDIATELY!


basking spot of 110-15 Try lowering to 100/105

Cooler spot of 87-94. Try lowering to 75/78

Lighting: Reptisun

What kind of Repti Sun? How close is it to your baby? I am assuming that it is brand new?

Beardie Information.
Size: 3 inches
Diet: Small crickets about 3-4 times a day with 3-5 crickets at the serving time.
Calcium and vitamin Sup.
Age: 6 weeks

Sounds small for a 6-9 wk old. When they are babies, they are bottomless pits when it comes to eating. The babies should be fed 3x times a day, ALL the crix they can eat, in a 10 to 15 min. time frame, preferably, in a separate container other than its viv.. ALL of this protein goes towards growth and development. Their intake is 80% protein and 20% greens. When they are adults, 18 months old, it is just the opposite. 80% greens and 20% protein. Your baby will need more protein intake when you resolve this problem.

What kind of supplements are offered?

How often?

Babies this age should get supplements EVERY feeding.
1 cage mate who is hyper and healthy and also a beardie of the same age. Does not bully the now more sickly one.

DO NOT HOUSE THEM TOGETHER. DONT even let them SEE one another. Intimidation can be a visual thing, NOT necessarily a physical confrontation. Intimidation can be subtle. You may not notice it, but your beardie will be aware of it. It can cause stress, which can lead to illness.

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.

Take care.
Emerald

 

[ilovebeardeddragons]

Also what are they on? Like sand or newpaper ect.

 

[Ledford]

Newspaper...

 

[ilovebeardeddragons]

ok thats good. I thought for a second that you were on sand and that would of been bad. Because if he acidently ate some then it would cause serious problems