I'm sure this questions has been asked before but...

[Theresa20]

What would cause a bearded dragon to have runny smelly stools? When I first got Spike, he was living off mostly crickets and the occasional lettuce (bad previous owners... didn't do too much research before buying him.) When I took him, I switched him to collards and squash (available all day) with crickets once a day (about 10 or so at lunch time.) He is five years old, all of his temperatures are good, all of his lighting is good, he is getting calcium and multivitamins. Any ideas as to why his poops are so smelly and runny? I feel like I'm doing everything right here...

 

[Stac561]

Just a suggestion you might want to take a fecal sample into the vet to test for parasites. This may not be the case but at least you could rule that out. Hope this helps

 

[Theresa20]

Thanks. I'm still trying to find a herp vet in my area so I can do that... I'm hoping it's just his body getting used to the switch in veggies.

 

[Stac561]

How long have you had him? When did you make the switch in his diet?

 

[Theresa20]

I've had him almost two months. I made the switch in his diet about a week or two after I got him because that's when I learned that the veggies he was getting weren't good choices.

 

[Stac561]

If you made the switch well over a month ago I don't see his new diet being the case. What are your temps on your hot and cool side? What are you using to take your temps a stick on, digital probe, or a temp gun? Also what brand of uvb are you using? Is this compact, coil or fluorescent?

 

[Theresa20]

Hot side is usually 102-105, cool side is usually 85, he spends almost all of his time on the hot side. I measure them with a stick-on thermometre that I bough at the pet store, going to buy one of them gun things you guys have been talking about on my next payday. The UVB light is a Repti-Glo 10.0 20W bulb, 24" long.

 

[Stac561]

Hello.

I would recommend the digital probe thermometer you can get a good one at Walmart by Acu- Rite for about $12. This thermometer stays in your viv and will give you the hot side and cool side temperature as well as the humidity at all times plus it's pretty cheap and works well .
As for your UVB it's recommended that you use Reptisun instead of Reptiglo. Reptiglo has been proven to cause problems with their eyes. Stick ons thermometers can be far off and maybe this is the cause of his problems in the first place. Once you get your new thermometer take your temps on both the hot and cool side (place the probe on the basking area for 45 minutes to get the temp repeat on the cool side) and let me know again what your temps are.

 

[Theresa20]

Crap! I just can't get this UVB bulb right!! The one that was originally in his tank was waaaay to old to be helping at all... bought a compact, heard those were no good, took it out... bought the reptiglo and apparently even THAT'S no good. Talk about a high maintenance pet!!!!

But thanks for your advice, next time I'm in town I'll get that stuff for him and see if we can fix this problem!

 

[Stac561]

Hello,
Any updates yet?
Did you get the new thermometer?
I feel your pain the same happened to me with my little guy, quite expensive but now he has all that he needs and acts so much better now. I went from compact to reptiglo flr then to repti sun flr. I noticed a big change in him with the reptisun he loves it!

 

[Theresa20]

Well the Repti-Glo caused his eyes to swell. At least I think it was the light... may be the sand he's on. So I went to town and bought some shelf liner which I'll be putting in tonight, turned the light off and am now searching for somewhere in Red Deer that I can buy a Repti-Sun, the two pet stores I have been to only carry Repti-Glo. I feel like such a bad momma right now I really am trying though.

 

[Stac561]

Hello,
Do you happen to notice that he's going into a shed? Reason I ask is my little guy did the eye buldge and soon to follow full head shed. How long did he do this for? and does he do it often now?
Good that you're taking the sand out
As for the reptisun you might have to order that, or ask your local pet store if they can order it. I imagine you're talking about Alberta and i'm not sure if it's the same in that province as it is in Ontario but Reptisun is not available at any place here, or at least if it is I've yet to find it. I had a pet store order it or you can do it yourself online, the website I was given was http://www.petmountain.com However since i'm in Canada (that site is U.S) I decided this was the best way.
Did you replace your stick on thermometer?
Don't feel like a bad mommy now that you have the right help on this site here you'll make your beardie a happy little guy with the upgrades!