Beardie Won't Poop

[reptiles93002]

Okay, so, my beardie is about 4 months old, and I got him as a hatchling, just a couple days old. I've never had any problems with him, and he's my sweet little boy. I'd do anything for him. So yesterday, he was acting really lethargic, keeping his head down, closing his eyes, and he was pale, also wasn't eating. Mind you, he hadn't pooped 3-4 days prior. This worried me, so I called up my exotic animal vet and thankfully they had an opening for me and Dexter that night. So at the consult, they said he was very healthy, but the symptoms made her think he had pinworms, but she wasn't 100% sure because she didn't have a fecal sample. So she gave me 2 different oral meds to give to him once daily. The meds are Panacur Suspension 10% per ml, Quantity 0.09, and Ponazuril Oral Suspension, Quantity 0.04.
The Panacur had 2 viles, so I wasn't giving him 0.09 in one sitting. I still have to give him one more dose of Panacur tomorrow. They also gave him both those meds last night at the vet, and I gave him both those meds today.
The vet said I have to wait for him to poop, and the meds should help, which they have so far, he's very active and his eyes are wide again. But he still hasn't pooped. I keep giving him baths, but he hasn't pooped. Any suggestions as to how I can get him to poop? It's been 4-5 days since he's pooped now, so I'm just nervous.

Info on his tank.
He's in a 40 gal tank, I got it for free from my science teacher.
His substrate is the orange ReptiCarpet, it's the kind that has the little pebbles on it.
His basking spot ranges from 95-105 degrees, and cool side is 85-90 degrees.
I have a ReptiSun 5.0 UVB bulb, and I have no idea what strength his basking bulbs are, but I have a red one and a white one. The red one stays on at night, because it gets cold in my room. I tried those ceramic heat bulbs, but it didn't even keep it above 80 and I had the highest strength available.

His diet consists of safe greens for beardies, calcium dusted gut-loaded crickets, occasional dubia roaches, and 5-6 waxworms on Sundays.

 

[diamc]

Does he seem uncomfortable that he hasn't pooped? He's still active and eating, colors are good? If so, I wouldn't stress about it, he will go soon.

Since antibiotics are very drying, would be a good idea to offer drinks of water with a syringe or medicine dropper (plastic) on his nose for him to lick off. I'm surprised the vet gave those meds without a fecal sample first, that's not usually a good idea. Did the vet talk to you about giving a probiotic while on the meds and for 2 wks after to help restore the good gut flora that antibiotics destroy?

What type of thermometer are you using to check the temps? Is the 5.0 bulb a fluorescent tube? A 5.0 really isn't strong enough for a bearded dragon so would be a good idea to get a Repti-Sun 10.0 tube instead.

 

[reptiles93002]

It's not a tube light, and idk if I can afford that right now. No, she didn't recommend any of that. I've been giving him as many baths as possible to keep him hydrated.
He doesn't look like it's bothering him that he hasn't pooped, he seems to be doing fine.

 

[diamc]

When you decide to get the better UVB bulb, Amazon carries it for a very reasonable price, about 1/2 of what you would pay in a petstore. You must have a compact bulb now, unfortunately they only produce UVB in a very small area and then decline very rapidly. With it being a compact and a 5.0, it really isn't strong enough to prevent metabolic bone disease, thought it was important to mention that to you.

Baths can usually help them poop but doesn't help hydrate them as much as oral fluids do.

If you'd like some names of good probiotics, let us know.

That's good that he doesn't seem uncomfortable.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. You have received very good advice . I just wantred to say ditch the red light as it disturbs his sleep. Beardies need complete darkness to sleep and they like to have it cool at night also. As long as your house does not get below 65 then no heat source is needed.

 

[reptiles93002]

Guys I haven't been on this site for awhile but I just wanted to let you know Dexter is doing fine! He's gained a lot of weight and is getting huge! His poop cycles are still off, but he's healthy and well.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for checking in =)