She threw up, and has been having diarrhea since I got her.

[Abbipetty]

Hey guys. I’m so stressed out at this point. I have no idea, I’m worried it’s something I’m doing? I’ve changed her enclosure around multiple times due to worry and try to figure out the issue. I know that’s stressful on them, could that be the problem? Is it anything I could possibly be doing? I’m so confused, exhausted, and worried sick. I’ve only had her for three months. She threw up yesterday, and thankfully had already had a vet appointment so I was able to take her in yesterday. She got a blood draw, and an exam. Vet said she looks healthy besides the constant diarrhea, and the vomit. She said some things I didn’t like to hear, about more serious causes. Is there anything else it could be? At all? I’m so, so lost. She’s in a 4x2x2, uvb is a reptisun 10.0 HO, on top of the metal mesh, about 10 or so inches from her basking spot, not exactly sure though, would have to measure. Her basking temp ranges from about 99-104. Cool side stays about 71-75, sometimes reaching 80. She’s fed collards and mustard greens everyday, as a staple. Sometimes I’ll ad peppers or a veggie, but I don’t everyday, sometimes it’s just collard and mustard greens. She gets calcium sprinkled in salads, and in bugs. She eats Dubia’s on occasion, has eaten crickets but I try to stay away from those. And she has flukers dragon diet on top of salad as a topper. And sometimes recently, she’s had those solely after I tried to see if overhydration was the problem, and cut back on veggies for a few days. Still, diarrhea like she has had since getting her. Yesterday was the first time she threw up. I don’t believe she’s had these problems at her previous home, so I’m so worried I’m doing something wrong. She’s clear of parasites, besides a small amount of entamoeba, but I’ve opted to wait in treating that as I don’t want to stress her out more than she needs to be, and vet said that that was fine. What is going on? The throw up also looked completely undigested, and was pretty dry, literally looked like she never ate them, but it was clumped together with spit. It was mainly the pellets that she threw up, but there was a weird tubular shaped regurgitation of some greens, and some sort of food. She threw up about 8 hours or so after I fed her, so another reason it so odd to me, because it literally looked like it never went to her stomach, like she just spit it out. I can post a picture if needed. Literally, any help is appreciated. I’m wondering if I’m not capable or if I’m doing something wrong that’s causing this problem, or if I’m not able to treat it, because I don’t have the knowledge. She’s my first beardie, and I’m very new to this, I’m stressed to no end, and I’d never forgive myself if it is something I’m doing and I can’t treat it.

 

[xp29]

I'm not a fan of pellets at all. Especially the dyed ones.
That said, I took a look at your profile your setup looks ok in the pics, but there is a something I see that I recommend tweeking. I see your uvd is all the way to the back wall. I recommend pulling it more forward off the wall. Also if you can arrange it so the the basking and uvb have better overlap, I think that is better for them. Do that and provide multiple levels of distance from the lights and she will instinctively select whats best for her. Are the plants all artificial? If not make sure they are not toxic to her.
If the vet didn't take x-rays it might be a good idea to at least get one from above. It will prove/disprove tumors, cysts, ect. It will also give you an excellent idea of bone density (mbd). Maybe offer superworms and dubias as main protein until the diarrhea is cleared up. Bugs like hornworms and silkworms can add to it.
Diarrhea is most often attributed to parasites, I might would take a fecal in to a different vet for testing, and get a 2nd opinion.

 

[Abbipetty]

I'm not a fan of pellets at all. Especially the dyed ones.
That said, I took a look at your profile your setup looks ok in the pics, but there is a something I see that I recommend tweeking. I see your uvd is all the way to the back wall. I recommend pulling it more forward off the wall. Also if you can arrange it so the the basking and uvb have better overlap, I think that is better for them. Do that and provide multiple levels of distance from the lights and she will instinctively select whats best for her. Are the plants all artificial? If not make sure they are not toxic to her.
If the vet didn't take x-rays it might be a good idea to at least get one from above. It will prove/disprove tumors, cysts, ect. It will also give you an excellent idea of bone density (mbd). Maybe offer superworms and dubias as main protein until the diarrhea is cleared up. Bugs like hornworms and silkworms can add to it.
Diarrhea is most often attributed to parasites, I might would take a fecal in to a different vet for testing, and get a 2nd opinion.

I will remove the pellets from her diet. The setup has since changed, her uvb is above the mesh now, so that she can get the overlap. It is still on the back wall, I can pull it up. I’ve done 2 fecals, both seem okay, I will probably do another, just to be sure. I did blood work, so the results of that should be here in a week or so. My main question is, it only started when I got her. She was in bad conditions at her last home, but she lived there for 2 years no problem. I don’t understand, I just want to do what’s best for her. I wonder if the changes from her old environment to her new one just really shocked her, and is causing these issues, but I have no idea. Sorry to rant, and thank you for your answer!! I truly truly appreciate it.

 

[xp29]

I will remove the pellets from her diet. The setup has since changed, her uvb is above the mesh now, so that she can get the overlap. It is still on the back wall, I can pull it up. I’ve done 2 fecals, both seem okay, I will probably do another, just to be sure. I did blood work, so the results of that should be here in a week or so. My main question is, it only started when I got her. She was in bad conditions at her last home, but she lived there for 2 years no problem. I don’t understand, I just want to do what’s best for her. I wonder if the changes from her old environment to her new one just really shocked her, and is causing these issues, but I have no idea. Sorry to rant, and thank you for your answer!! I truly truly appreciate it.

You ask until you get the answers you need!!!!!
If her care was sub-par and she was under nourished that's likely the issue. If they have been starved, you have to reintroduce food kind of slowly and let their systems adjust.

 

[xp29]

You ask until you get the answers you need!!!!!
If her care was sub-par and she was under nourished that's likely the issue. If they have been starved, you have to reintroduce food kind of slowly and let their systems adjust.

Also be careful of dehydration. The diarrhea will likely dehydrate her. You can add a little pedialyte and water to her diet. Use an eye dropper and drip it on her snout. GO SLOW give it to her at her pace. If you try to force it or go to fast she could aspirate, and that's insanely dangerous.

 

[Abbipetty]

Also be careful of dehydration. The diarrhea will likely dehydrate her. You can add a little pedialyte and water to her diet. Use an eye dropper and drip it on her snout. GO SLOW give it to her at her pace. If you try to force it or go to fast she could aspirate, and that's insanely dangerous.

Thank you! Since her uvb is currently on top of the mesh, I know it’s better to have it on the inside but unless I want to change the whole setup of her enclosure again, I don’t think I can have it in there at the moment. Is it okay on top of the mesh? How far from the basking should it be? I do give her water, I try to keep her well hydrated. I can try the pedialite! How much would I give her? Also, I got a flukers multi vitamin a few days ago, should I give that to her?

 

[xp29]

If on top of the mesh 10-12 inches to basking. If she drinks water for you thats fine, if mixed I'd do like 75% water.
They should get multivitamins 1 to 2 times per week, I mix mine with the calcium about 50/50 on those days

 

[Abbipetty]

If on top of the mesh 10-12 inches to basking. If she drinks water for you thats fine, if mixed I'd do like 75% water.
They should get multivitamins 1 to 2 times per week, I mix mine with the calcium about 50/50 on those days

Okay, thank you!!! Her basking spot is about exactly 12 inches from it. She just finished eating her greens so that’s good!! Only thing is she usually won’t eat until it’s nearly lights out, so sometimes she doesn’t bask after eating, even if I put her there. Hopefully she can still digest her food fine? I used to feed her after work, but I’m feeding her in the mornings now, so she has time. Still though, she’s been choosing to eat it at about the same time she used to eat it, but at least she has the option! I’ll start to incorporate the multi as well!! Again, I can’t express how much I appreciate your help, truly. Thank you!!!

 

[xp29]

Okay, thank you!!! Her basking spot is about exactly 12 inches from it. She just finished eating her greens so that’s good!! Only thing is she usually won’t eat until it’s nearly lights out, so sometimes she doesn’t bask after eating, even if I put her there. Hopefully she can still digest her food fine? I used to feed her after work, but I’m feeding her in the mornings now, so she has time. Still though, she’s been choosing to eat it at about the same time she used to eat it, but at least she has the option! I’ll start to incorporate the multi as well!! Again, I can’t express how much I appreciate your help, truly. Thank you!!!

I hope everything turns out to be ok with her.
Something I do in the evenings is sit with my guys until they go to bed. I keep my house around 70 degrees so I use heating pads to keep them from getting to cold. The best ones I've found are the cheap ones from family dollar. They don't get hot enough to hurt them (as long as you don't cover the heating pad with a towel or blanket or something) and they don't have a timer so they don't kick themselves off every 30 minutes or so. Heat is heat, if she won't bask after eating, you might could try that. It's good for bonding also beardie snuggles at bed time are the greatest ever invented and when they do their little wiggle....

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Have you posted pictures of your tank setup here so we can see the environment?
What greens are you feeding her? Sometimes too many greens will overhydrate them causing
diarrhea. I see that you have tried cutting back the greens too.
Have you gotten a fecal done on her? It is possible that she may have some higher levels of parasites
which could be causing stomach upset. You could try giving some probiotics such as non dairy organic
soy yogurt or non dairy acidophilus to see if that helps to settle her tummy.
Can you keep her a little warmer overnight to help boost her system right now?

Tracie

 

[Abbipetty]

I hope everything turns out to be ok with her.
Something I do in the evenings is sit with my guys until they go to bed. I keep my house around 70 degrees so I use heating pads to keep them from getting to cold. The best ones I've found are the cheap ones from family dollar. They don't get hot enough to hurt them (as long as you don't cover the heating pad with a towel or blanket or something) and they don't have a timer so they don't kick themselves off every 30 minutes or so. Heat is heat, if she won't bask after eating, you might could try that. It's good for bonding also beardie snuggles at bed time are the greatest ever invented and when they do their little wiggle....

Thank you!! I do the same, I use a heating pad for her! She’s the sweetest and loves to cuddle. The vet said to lay off of handling for a bit, and that is very hard to do I appreciate you, for all the advice! Here’s a pic of her snuggling into me for fun.

 

[Abbipetty]

Hello,

Have you posted pictures of your tank setup here so we can see the environment?
What greens are you feeding her? Sometimes too many greens will overhydrate them causing
diarrhea. I see that you have tried cutting back the greens too.
Have you gotten a fecal done on her? It is possible that she may have some higher levels of parasites
which could be causing stomach upset. You could try giving some probiotics such as non dairy organic
soy yogurt or non dairy acidophilus to see if that helps to settle her tummy.
Can you keep her a little warmer overnight to help boost her system right now?

Tracie

Hey! I have, but it’s since changed due to me obsessively tying to figure out the problem. I’ll post some new photos. I have done a few fecal, one did have an overload of pinworms, which was treated and is now at normal levels, her fecal recheck after the medication showed a small amount of entamoeba, but the vet said it was such a small amount that we can wait until bloodwork to decide if we want to try and treat that. She said that she wasn’t going to treat it at all but because of her stool and stuff, she said we could try treating it just to see if there’s any improvement. I’ll try giving her a probiotic, and currently she is kept at about 70 degrees at night, I can buy a C.H.E and try to up it to maybe 80 if that sounds good? I also sometimes will cuddle her up with a heating pad on low if she’s not feeling great, just to keep her a little warmer. But I will buy the heat emitter and keep her temps up! Thank you for your reply!!!

 

[xp29]

Thank you!! I do the same, I use a heating pad for her! She’s the sweetest and loves to cuddle. The vet said to lay off of handling for a bit, and that is very hard to do I appreciate you, for all the advice! Here’s a pic of her snuggling into me for fun.

She is precious .

 

[Abbipetty]

Hey! I have, but it’s since changed due to me obsessively tying to figure out the problem. I’ll post some new photos. I have done a few fecal, one did have an overload of pinworms, which was treated and is now at normal levels, her fecal recheck after the medication showed a small amount of entamoeba, but the vet said it was such a small amount that we can wait until bloodwork to decide if we want to try and treat that. She said that she wasn’t going to treat it at all but because of her stool and stuff, she said we could try treating it just to see if there’s any improvement. I’ll try giving her a probiotic, and currently she is kept at about 70 degrees at night, I can buy a C.H.E and try to up it to maybe 80 if that sounds good? I also sometimes will cuddle her up with a heating pad on low if she’s not feeling great, just to keep her a little warmer. But I will buy the heat emitter and keep her temps up! Thank you for your reply!!!

Here’s a few updated photos of her enclosure. I know it’s not much, but I’m trying not to change it anymore as I know that could stress her out. Uvb is about 12 inches from basking and on top of mesh, thinking about investing in a solar meter (I think that’s what it’s called) to check it. The spare fabric on the hammock is to retain some heat and prevent nails snagging. I’ve also noticed she’s black bearding a small bit again. She’s done it every other day for about 6 days, coincidentally on the days she normally has to go to the bathroom, so maybe that’s it..? I just want her to be happy and healthy and comfortable and her black bearding freaks me out because then I feel as if she’s not!! So stressed

 

[xp29]

Here’s a few updated photos of her enclosure. I know it’s not much, but I’m trying not to change it anymore as I know that could stress her out. Uvb is about 12 inches from basking and on top of mesh, thinking about investing in a solar meter (I think that’s what it’s called) to check it. The spare fabric on the hammock is to retain some heat and prevent nails snagging. I’ve also noticed she’s black bearding a small bit again. She’s done it every other day for about 6 days, coincidentally on the days she normally has to go to the bathroom, so maybe that’s it..? I just want her to be happy and healthy and comfortable and her black bearding freaks me out because then I feel as if she’s not!! So stressed

Do you have a pic of her beard that isn't showing, honestly that doesn't look like black bearding to me.
The little one is Zsa Zsa, hers always looks like that. The big one is Zen he is black bearding (not full, he could get much darker)