MY BEARDIE NEEDS HELP! SERIOUS DIARRHEA

[LizardGiblets]

Ive had my beardie for 2 months now, all his setup is correct UVB, Temp gradient, substrate, everything is where it needs to be, I have done tons of research, however after I started feeding silk worms more than crickets he started to have diarrhea, he's had it for about a month now maybe a little more, its really worrying me, i took him to the vet and he does have giardia but hes been on antibiotics for 14 days with no change in his feces. Im starting to think that the diarrhea is being caused by all the fluid in the silk worms, I have read a little about this, but I need to know for sure is it the silk worms? should i switch back to just crickets and greens? I have also been giving him a steady dose of acidophiliz +. I have gone through every page in this forum virtually to make sure everything was perfect before i got him, so its driving me crazy! I am very desperate, someone please help my baby beardie! ps hes about 10 inches in length and still gaining weight.

 

[LJean]

I would try switching feeders to see if it helps. Sounds gross, but can you take a picture of the poo?

 

[LizardGiblets]

Unfortunately my digital camera is broke, but there is another post about silk worms and diarrhea and the picture there is exactly what his poop looks like, its a dead ringer in the poop department.
here is the link, the picture is at the top of the post almost.

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That poop in that picture is exactly what all his poops look like, very distressing for me...
Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LJean]

I see. Definately diarrhea. I would skip the silkies and switch to another feeder when possible. Also you may try a little bit of canned (100%) pumpkin. (not pumpkin pie, mix) I'm not sure how much you should give, but would try to get him to eat a little bit. Maybe he will lick it off a spoon or your finger.

Keep him hydrated too.

 

[K9KidsLove]

Hi...You can give him a rounded teaspoon of 100% pumpkin once a month. Mine lick it off the spoon. You can freeze the rest...in an ice cube tray, then put it in a baggie to thaw as needed.

I would definitely stop the silkworms. Go back to just crickets and greens til he gets back to normal. I would also take another poop sample for another fecal. Sometimes they can get a false negative. Have him check for bacteria too. Continute to bathe him up to his armpits at least every other day for about 20 minutes to help flush him out and rehydrate him. Also make sure you dust with calcium 4-5 times weekly, and vitamins twice weekly to replace what is leaving his system with the diarrhea.
Is your vet a reptile vet or just a puppy/kitty vet that will see your dragon?
good luck
Patsy

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

What antibiotic was he or is he on currently & what is the dosage being given? Have you been giving a probiotic as well, during the medication round to help with his GI tract?
It is recommended to give a probiotic during harsh medication rounds because the meds disturb the normal gut flora in their tummy which affects their appetites & can give them diarrhea alot of times, also.
Definitely, the pumpkin can help him out alot, too.

Tracie

 

[LizardGiblets]

I have Been giving him albon, but then it was switched to another med i cant remember name but it is specifically for Giardia parasite, he is receiving .03 cc once a day, i have been giving him Acidophiliz + for a probiotic and making sure he is warm after taking the probiotic so the bacteria can reestablish themselves in his belly. and he has had 3 fecals so far the first one was negative the others showed Giardia, today after 4 days of his new antibiotic he had a more normal looking poo, it had some fluid around it but it the rest was white urates and solid brown sausage links! and there was much less fluid than normal, could the diarrhea have been the Giardia all along, I dont know but if his poop continues to improve on this new antibiotic than i can only assume it was the parasite not the silk worms causing his problems. By the way I have also been bathing him regularly to keep his hydration up.
ps the vet is a exotic specialist who deals in reptiles and other exotics.