Help! Bearded dragon problems

[Kingoflizards]

I love my bearded dragons so much and lately These past 4 or 5 days she won't eat. I noticed her struggling to poop these past 5 days also and im pretty sure that's why she won't eat. She keeps straining and getting in her position but nothing comes out. I put her in the bath yesterday (she usually poops in it) and she tried but it just wouldn't come out! I took her to the doctor today and they gave her some medicine to soften his poop but she still hasnt yet. I don't know why she won't but it's stressing me out. I also read online that having sand is bad for them? I've had sand in her tank since she was about 6 months old. She is 3 years old now. Should I get rid of the sand and replace it? It makes me upset about all this and if sand is affecting her health also then I want to get rid of it asap. Any comments would help greatly!

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Yes the sand can cause a blockage in their intestine. Hopefully that's not the case. You can try plain applesauce or plain canned pumkin hopefully that'll help with a drop of olive oil.

 

[Kingoflizards]

What would happen if the blockage is caused by sand? Would that require surgery?? Also should I switch to something else instead of sand in his habitat?

 

[destiny1998]

It basically turns to concrete in the intestines. I use ceremic tiles. Bought them cheap at home depot. You can use non adhesive shelf liner, newspaper, paper towels, tiles etc.

 

[Kingoflizards]

I had him x rayed today and the vet isn't for sure of what it is but im pretty sure it's a clump of sand. They gave him stuff to help pass it. Does anyone know what to do about this? If he doesn't pass it soon it will be either surgery or put to sleep please help me I don't know what to do!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, don't give up yet. Five days is not a long time, and unless he were in extreme pain, lethargic, black beard hardly moving, etc. you wouldn't consider euthanasia. Keep trying the things Destiny mentioned...also try baby food prunes + honey with extra water mixed in. Then give him an extra warm bath every day, a bit deeper than usual. That can stimulate him to poo. Keep that up and he should [ hopefully ] pass it.

 

[CooperDragon]

There are non-surgical options available. It can take time to relieve an impaction. As suggested, you can offer some baby food applesauce or prunes and a few drops of olive oil to help ease things through. Keep up with the warm baths as well. If that doesn't do the trick after several days, you can try an enema (a vet can perform this as well) which may help. My rescue was able to pass a sand impaction after about a week and a half of this routine - no surgery required.

 

[Kingoflizards]

Thanks everyone your replies are really helping. I've been very sad and stressed out about this. He won't eat though so how am I supposed to give him the baby food? I tried using a syringe but I had to pry his mouth open and I barely got any in. Is there an easier way? Do you think I can just stick it in his food bowl and he'll eat it? Also how big was your sand impaction cooper?

 

[CooperDragon]

At first, I'd try dropping it on his nose to see if he'll lick it off. It's best not to pry their mouths open to force feed if you can avoid it. That said, if you need to get his mouth open, you can sometimes gently pry it with a thin piece of cardboard like a cereal box flap. Based on the x-ray, it looked like Dundee's impaction was about dime sized (he is an adult dragon too). It didn't come out all at once though. It was a few rounds of clumpy sandy poops.

 

[Kingoflizards]

Cooper mine seems to be about dime sized also and a end is about a foot and a half from head to tail. It's been days so far and no poop at all. Im giving her a drop of mineral oil twice a day, baby food, some type of antibiotics I think, and also some type of blue medicine that I stick in through the rear end (she does not enjoy this). Hopefully that alòng with warm baths will let her poop it out!

 

[CooperDragon]

Sounds like you're doing everything you can. Just have to keep it up and be patient at this point. I see adult dragons get through this more often than not, but it's not a fun experience for either of you.

 

[Kingoflizards]

Here is a picture to show you a comparison of about how big the ball of sand is compared to my dragon. The red circle shows another impaction in another beardie and that one inside the circle is about how big mine is.

 

[Kingoflizards]

 

[Kingoflizards]

How could I feed her some mineral oil? I just need a drop or two to give her and she won't open for anything.

 

[CooperDragon]

If she isn't licking the oil from her nose, you can try gently prying her mouth open with thin cardboard like a cereal box flap.