Blood After Poop

[Bobolynx1226]

Hi Everyone,
Two weeks ago Gryphon ate a piece of cement. So quick! I browsed this forum and tried not to panic while I waited for him to pass it; which he did two days later. It was rather large, ball bearing sized, sharp edge. I didn't see any blood though I went through the poop wearing gloves. He has been eating & acting normally-for him- but didn't poop again for 11 days. Thinking he was constipated, I have been bathing him daily and yesterday he finally pooped in bath. At the very end of his poop a small piece of white came out. It looked like a paint chip. Then a tiny drop of blood. I'm almost positive it was blood because it dissipated in the water when I touched it. Gryphon is large, 23 in. 465 gr. He doesn't eat much. He is active & alert; gets at least 30 min. outside in the sun daily, though I watch him like a hawk to make sure he eats NOTHING! He actively looks for stones to eat but doesn't try to eat grass, bugs etc... Should I panic now?!?

 

[KarrieRee]

I wouldnt be letting him get to any more stones that is for sure - its possible he strained him self going to the bath room - just keep an eye out for anymore blood
Karrie

 

[Bobolynx1226]

Thanks!
I do watch him very closely when he's outdoors and I've kept him from eating any more stones, but why does he look for them? He makes a beeline from the middle of the yard to the cement walkway and searches for rocks/cement to eat!

 

[KarrieRee]

I have no idea -- that is odd
Karrie

 

[CooperDragon]

I would offer plenty of water and some soft foods. Try some baby food squash or sweet potato. The soft foods and hydration may help him pass the cement more easily. As to why he goes after them it could be that they look like food or it could be that he is looking for minerals. Do you offer a multivitamin dusting on his bugs? What veges do you offer in his regular diet?

 

[Bobolynx1226]

Hi CooperDragon.
Gryph gets turnip or collard greens daily. I offer sweet potato, fresh peas, carrots, mango, applesauce, etc...he ignores. Turns up his nose and closes his eyes when I try to hand feed. He eats 1-2 bites of greens and 3-4 superworms or 1-2 large dubia daily. The worms & roaches are dusted with an even mix of Rep-Cal Herptivite & Calcium w/vitamin D 5 days a week. My boy barely eats yet maintains his size & weight. He still sheds every 5 weeks or so; around his head, legs & tail. I'm confounded. He does not follow the bearded dragon rules. He also hates temps. over 90 degrees and refuses to bask; hides in the corner in the cool side of pen, this is 74 degrees. I maintain temps from 98 to 74 in a 6 ft tank. He will sit on his log under UVA/B all day as long as that area is not above 84.

 

[CooperDragon]

It may be good to cut back on the bugs for a bit and see if he will dig into the veges a bit more. He may if he gets hungrier. Hand feeding can also help. Try cutting squash into small worm shapes and wiggle them around and see if that gets his attention. There are certianly no set rules. They all have their preferences, but I'd try to get him focused more on veges if you can. Try the soft food thing for now to help with the immediate issue and go from there.

As far as basking goes, They don't always like the high temps. My guy is free roaming most of the time and will often hang out to the side of his basking spots. Sometimes ignore the UVB basking lights in favor of plain heat. As long as your temp readings are accurate and there is a good gradient of heat and UVB across the enclosure I'd let him do his thing on that front.

 

[Bobolynx1226]

Hey CooperDragon,
I bought some plain, unsweetened applesauce and put a dab on Gryph's nose. He actually ate it! I spoon fed him about a teaspoon. He started to heave & beard out but quickly calmed down. Maybe he swallowed too fast? Is it safe to give applesauce daily? Also bought squash; I'll try that tomorrow. Also have non-fat vanilla yogurt. Is vanilla flavored ok for him? Sorry I have so many questions. He is just so picky that I will try anything to get him to eat.

 

[CooperDragon]

It's good that he ate some. The applesauce is fine but I would probably rotate and offer him a mix of things if you can. If the yogurt is soy based (non dairy) it should be OK I think. I'm not certain about the vanilla flavoring though, I haven't heard about it either way.

 

[Bobolynx1226]

Thank you!

 

[Bobolynx1226]

Yeah it's me again. Gryph ate a bit of applesauce again today. Offered butternut squash. By hand. Got the stink eye. He refuses all fresh veggies & fruit I offer. I was thinking of trying baby food versions of peas, green beans, pears, bananas, etc... Is this healthy? BTW he ate 10 superworms later on. They are gutloaded, as are the 2-3 dubia he occasionally takes. His belly was sagging!

 

[WinFam01]

Ours enjoys colored bell pepper (won't touch the green ones, the stinker).

 

[Bobolynx1226]

Tried yellow, orange & green. Got stink eye.