- Beardie name(s)
- Devlyn
Devlyn had her annual vet visit last month. I had written her full chemistries and results here on the site. Her Hematocrit being 40%, high value, and her low frequency and inconsistent quality poops being the thing I want to discuss here.
On average poops every 4 days (sans brumation). This is her 2022 data. However, looking at her behavior the poops were often only when getting a bath or running on the floor or being handled. Her 220+ gallon enclosure should be enough space for her to have regular bowel movements from exercise but that is not the case.
Back to this year, I force fed Devlyn, because she will not drink water, 2mL on 4/4, 2mL on 4/6, and 1mL on 4/8. Then she started having perfectly formed poops that were low odor on 4/11, 4/14, 4/16, 4/17, 4/18, and 4/19. Poop frequency increase and quality increase! Foods were not changed. I am so happy she has been pooping without any drama. Usually if she poops by herself she glass surfs like crazy until it is cleaned (probably because they would stink so bad). The low odor poops she just moves away from and basks without the drama. I already give her probiotic which did increase poop quality and reduce odor - but she still had poop drama all 2022.
The force drinking is dribbling water inside her lip, she eventually opens her mouth to allow me to insert water. It is still an aspiration risk, but if she poops regular and is hydrated properly I think the trade off would be worth it. I want her kidneys to pass urates without issue and her new urates have been much smaller as frequency increased. Thoughts? Feedback? She likes swimming, but never drinks. I've seen her drink water once for sure and maybe a sip in a bath another time.
On average poops every 4 days (sans brumation). This is her 2022 data. However, looking at her behavior the poops were often only when getting a bath or running on the floor or being handled. Her 220+ gallon enclosure should be enough space for her to have regular bowel movements from exercise but that is not the case.
Back to this year, I force fed Devlyn, because she will not drink water, 2mL on 4/4, 2mL on 4/6, and 1mL on 4/8. Then she started having perfectly formed poops that were low odor on 4/11, 4/14, 4/16, 4/17, 4/18, and 4/19. Poop frequency increase and quality increase! Foods were not changed. I am so happy she has been pooping without any drama. Usually if she poops by herself she glass surfs like crazy until it is cleaned (probably because they would stink so bad). The low odor poops she just moves away from and basks without the drama. I already give her probiotic which did increase poop quality and reduce odor - but she still had poop drama all 2022.
The force drinking is dribbling water inside her lip, she eventually opens her mouth to allow me to insert water. It is still an aspiration risk, but if she poops regular and is hydrated properly I think the trade off would be worth it. I want her kidneys to pass urates without issue and her new urates have been much smaller as frequency increased. Thoughts? Feedback? She likes swimming, but never drinks. I've seen her drink water once for sure and maybe a sip in a bath another time.
