Start of a prolapse???? Please help!

[Tammy94]

So my beardy has been struggling to go to the loo for over a week now. When I returned home he'd managed to do a poop, which seemed fine white urate no blood etc. My concern is that thereafter I noticed his vent area was pulsating and swollen (nothing sticking out of it) but my concern is that this might happen? I don't know how these things work, all I know is that the area is swollen but nothing pertruding and there is no blood or any redness. I am reluctant to handle him in case it bothers whatever is causing this. He is shedding at the minute so a little sluggish but still eating. His top chunk of tail scales seem darkened but we were guessing this is just another shed coming along as his face is shedding too.

Perhaps I am worrying too much is it possible he just irritated his vent through forcing out a long overdue poop or is it likely this is the start of something more serious? Were keeping our eye on him but we both work full time and I'm really worried about him.

Any help is very much appreciated

 

[CooperDragon]

Poor guy probably strained a bit too hard. I would offer him some water by dripping it on his nose. It's important to keep him hydrated. You could also try offering him a sugar water bath to help reduce swelling in the area. Just create a solution with a lot of sugar and some hot water then mix that into a bath of warm water so it's just a little warm to the touch and let him soak a bit. Hopefully that's all it needs and everything goes back to normal now that he's passed the poop.

 

[Tammy94]

Thanks Cooperdragon really appreciate the advice.

We just bathed him in sugar water at 32 degrees (c) he doesn't seem to be in any discomfort no darkening of his beard but then again they're good at hiding it from you!

He got a butterworm for being such a good little lad in the bath, and we popped him on top of his hide where he likes to sleep.

Was discussing with my husband and were thinking of cutting the locusts out for a while whilst he recovers (it's the main part of his diet on the live food side) and just offering calci worms with salad for a week or so whilst he repairs.

Thanks again, really appreciate the help!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, good advice from Cooper. One thing to be sure of is that he's hydrated, and you can offer baby food squash, unsweetened applesauce or canned pumpkin [ with no spices ] Those are all natural laxative/stool softeners.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor guy, he likely just strained a bit too hard. He should be alright though, but, as suggested try to keep him extra hydrated so his urates are nice & soft. It may take a week or so for his urates to soften up.
Are you using a good UVB light also?

Tracie

 

[Tammy94]

AHBD/ Tracie, thank you for the advice it's truly appreciated.

I managed to get him some tinned pumpkin 100% pure with no added ingredients and even though he's a really fussy eater he actually had a little.

The swelling has significantly reduced now which is great but he is just not right.. he's acting as though he's drugged up, really slow, not wanting to move much at all, although his eyes are still clear and alert.

On the face of it he looks fine physically and hasn't lost any weight which I guess is really good, the top chunk of his tail and lower back are discoloured but it looks like pre shed discolouration to me. He just seems weak...

I've gently felt his tummy and cannot feel any lumps or bumps either.

To answer your question Tracie he has an Arcadia T5 14% uvb bulb 39 w with reflector, of which we will be replacing this month along with his basking spot bulb as they are nearly six months old.

Will keep a close eye on him and hope he perks up....

Thanks again guys

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is he doing today?
That's good he had a little bit of pumpkin, so hopefully he liked it to where you can get a little more into him.
The T5 14% Arcadia should be good for at least a year, if not longer. I have the 12% & have not upgraded to the 14% yet because ours are still putting out after a year! So, I doubt the UVB is the issue here. Which basking bulb do you use, a halogen? That is fine if you want to replace that one, for a brigher one, etc.
I hope he is feeling better. Is his beard normal colored or dark in color?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[Tammy94]

Hello,

How is he doing today?
That's good he had a little bit of pumpkin, so hopefully he liked it to where you can get a little more into him.
The T5 14% Arcadia should be good for at least a year, if not longer. I have the 12% & have not upgraded to the 14% yet because ours are still putting out after a year! So, I doubt the UVB is the issue here. Which basking bulb do you use, a halogen? That is fine if you want to replace that one, for a brigher one, etc.
I hope he is feeling better. Is his beard normal colored or dark in color?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

Hello Tracie, thanks for getting back to me.

How can you test if it's still putting out uv? That would be super handy for me to be able to check!

Sorry it's taken a while to write back, I too have been ill, typical!

Well he seems to have perked up a little over the weekend which is really nice. I bathed him again on Sunday evening and he's not been fed any hard food really since he's been feeling unwell. This morning he finally went to the loo again, and they was no swelling despite him seeming to strain a little again. The only thing I did notice is perhaps a little tiny bit of blood in the urate but I'm guessing this is normal for a beardie with constipation? There wasn't much at all.

His beard certainly hasn't been black but perhaps a little darker than usual although he hasn't been basking much and is shedding at the minute so all things considered I'm not too worried there.

I'll let you know about the basking spot lamp when I am home from work this evening.

Thanks for all of your help, greatly appreciated.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I hope you are feeling better also!
If you could round up someone that has a UVB meter, maybe at a school, you could get the light tested. I am pretty sure that it should still be producing after only 6 months or so of use.
Yes, that can happen with straining, a bit of blood specks, with them. As long as it isn't a large amount, hopefully it will all correct itself. Are you giving extra oral fluids too?
The shedding has to be annoying for him, also! Geez, they do get grumpy sometimes with that.
Are you still giving softer foods too?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie