Impaction

[lilacgeorge]

Please can someone list for me the signs & symptons of Impaction.... I'm not after 'links' I want to hear 'real life' symptons that people on here have experienced, I have googled it, and read some articles but need a bit more clarification which I feel would be better coming form someone who has actuallly experienced it and who's beardie has been diagnoised with it... thank you for your understanding

 

[Gail]

I took in a little rescue who was impacted. She wasn't eating and strained to go potty. You could also feel a really big lump down by her vent. As the day progressed, she got very lethargic, finally dieing after 5 days or so.
A necropsy showed a large piece of water crystal in her bowel, the petshop she came from kept food and water in the dragon cage for the crickets.

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

I took in a little rescue who was impacted. She wasn't eating and strained to go potty. You could also feel a really big lump down by her vent. As the day progressed, she got very lethargic, finally dieing after 5 days or so.
A necropsy showed a large piece of water crystal in her bowel, the petshop she came from kept food and water in the dragon cage for the crickets.

This maybe a dumb question but what did the crickets food and water have to do with it?

 

[lilacgeorge]

the reason Im asking is I've got a horrible feeling this might be whats wrong with Freckles...we've just finished a course of wormers and conver-s, and he still isn't better. The vet said if he wasn't better after 7 days (tomorrow) to take him back and he'll give him a course of antibiotics. Trouble is my reptile vet is away now until the 8th february and he has left instructions to a 'normal' vet for the above treatment, on the basis that it may be pneumonia - but looking at the symptons of that I don't think it is and I don't want him going through a course of a/b's for no reason. BUT I do think it may be impaction, but as it is going to be a non-reptile vet I would like to go armed with 'evidence'.

He is showing SOME signs that could point to impaction but this is why I need to get it claryified......

 

[coastergirl946]

Impaction signs are:
- lethargy aka just sitting there, closing eyes a lot
- disinterest in food including greens and live feeders
- belly feels heavy when you pick him/her up
- not pooping regularly

Signs of a very bad impaction
- throwing up
- not using back legs and/or dragging them

You can help them go to the bathroom by putting them in warm water up to their shoulders and giving them a gentle tummy massage (massage downward from the chest to the vent) for about 15 minutes. These baths are also good because they help with hydration and shedding. If they don't poop within several minutes, you can feed them olive oil, unsweetened applesauce, or organic baby food prunes to help them pass the impaction. The more they strain, the more they are hurting. Serious impaction can cause a prolapse (where the intestine comes out of the vent), can cause spinal injury and paralysis of their back legs, and can even lead to their death.

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

I took in a little rescue who was impacted. She wasn't eating and strained to go potty. You could also feel a really big lump down by her vent. As the day progressed, she got very lethargic, finally dieing after 5 days or so.
A necropsy showed a large piece of water crystal in her bowel, the petshop she came from kept food and water in the dragon cage for the crickets.

This maybe a dumb question but what did the crickets food and water have to do with it?

Nevermind I misread what u wrote.. Sorry I understand now.. I didn't catch in the beardie cage

 

[lilacgeorge]

Well, out of that list of symptoms given by coastergirl946 (thank you for them btw), he can probably tick most if not all of them except the throwing up one.

Just before this happened I offered him a locust but without warning he lunged forward and ate 3 in one mouthful!!! Would locusts cause impaction? He has eaten since - not huge amounts but then he never has been a big eater.

I've NOT seen him STRAINING to go to toilet at all - he just hasn't been I will continue with the baths and massage and will see what the vet says.

 

[AHBD]

If you list everything about him and his set up, people can help you. How big is he, weight [ can you get a picture up?] What are his lights, temps, etc. Is he on sand, and how long has it been since he has had a b.m ?