Seminal Plug Help

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

Hey,

Can bearded dragons get their vents clogged from poop when seminal plugs get too big? I can see a large bump that's probably more than an inch long on the bottom of his vent. I'm taking Rocket baths but it won't budge. He's had the plug in for months! How can I "manually" remove it? I'm positive it's not impaction...

Basking light: Exo-Terra 100 Watt
UV light: ReptiSun 10.0 Desert
Feeding: Collard greens, romaine lettuce, superworms, vitamin and calcium supplement.
Hydration: Not sure what's the norm, but I take him baths quite often.
Substrate: Reptile-friendly Carpet? Not sand.

 

[Esther19]

It sounds like it may be a prolapse. Can you post a picture?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Please do post a picture if you can.
The Reptisun 10, is it a long tube bulb or a compact/coil light?
What type of substrate are you using, a loose substrate or paper towels/tiles?


Tracie

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

The UV bulb is a tube, not a coil. I heard those were bad and got the tube-shaped bulb instead.

I already stated the substrate, which is carpet.

A picture isn't needed, either. It's just in there, nothing sticking out. I'll put a picture when I can anyways.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Sorry, I did see carpet but forgot to edit.
They can get plugs that can block movements, over time. If it is that large, it may not be able to be dislodged from home. It is risky trying to insert something inside him as he could get injured if it is a really bad block.
I am glad you are using the Reptisun 10 tube bulb. Is it 6-8 inches from him without any screen or plastic between him & the light? Previous to now, has he had any calcium issues that you know of?
Have you tried giving canned pumpkin or sugar free applesauce with a drop or two of olive or mineral oil to help move things out a little, along with a daily bath?
Sometimes the oil helps out for them.

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

Rocket has never had calcium issues. He's very strong.

The UV light is on the other side of a mesh screen because I don't have a fixture. While it is a tube, but not a LONG tube. As for the distance, the bulb is about 8 inches.

Aside from the artificial UV, I bring Rocket out on the back porch daily to bask on the sun until he moves to the shade. Since I live in Florida, the sun is very strong here, and probably far more sufficent than the bulb.

Last time he pooped, I used the oil and it worked out. I did not give him applesauce, though. I haven't checked if the one I have is sugar-free yet, so I won't try it unless I know it is or if I have to buy one. Just the vegetable oil worked for me.

Update: Rocket pooped yesterday after giving him water. It must be a hydration issue.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great the Rocket went to the bathroom then.
It sounds like he could be dehydrated, were the urates really hard?
The natural sunshine is very strong in Florida so that should help him out a lot, along with the bulb.
The oil is very effective for helping with impactions, etc & so is the canned pumpkin or sugar free applesauce.

How is he doing tonight?

Tracie

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

Rocket just did a huge poop! He seems all better know, so thank God it isn't a prolapse. However, the bump is still there, and it seemed to be bleeding a little bit when I tried to grab it...I'm sure that's kind of a twist...it must've been my fault for touching it with a tissue...I washed the area with water and it stopped bleeding almost immediately. That was weird.

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

When I gave him water, the urates were moist.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is Rocket doing this evening? At least he finally did go to the bathroom then.
Too bad he had a little bit of blood though, it must have been hard for him to pass that if it was that large or hard, also. Poor guy!
I am glad to hear the bleeding stopped though. Maybe the tissue is irritated & swollen up from all of that?


Tracie

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

He actually had no problem passing that at all. I'm not sure. The stool was normal. Like I said, it wasn't really a pooping problem, but something with the hemipenes.

I found it really weird by the fact it was so much easier for him to get the urates out, why is that?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

If the urates were not hard, then sperm must have hardened which blocked up the area making it difficult to pass. Once it broke loose then since there seemed to be enough hydration that helped it all through.
It also may have been the oil you had given him which helped soften up the urates, too. How much oil did you give him?

Tracie

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

Actually, I didn't give him oil, just water.

 

[PogonaTrainerAISP]

He's had hard urates before, though; until I gave him water the last two times he pooped.

How do I prevent the sperm from clotting it again?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

If he continually has clogged up hemepenes, you can gently evert that area every so often & will be able to see a sperm plug or any build up present. Be extremely careful when doing this. You can gently pull & slowly remove them. They will be soft & white & very rubbery. He shouldn't mind it at all.
Regular baths & hydration wont hurt, either.

Tracie