too big crickets?

[rin0425]

I just fed my 7inch juvie a cricket that may have been too big...it was probably just over a half inch long and his "eye width" is probably just about a half inch...he seems fine but it just happened...can someone explain what happens when th eat a cricket thats too big? Im sure I could search the posts, but it woul;s take a while...
Ideas?
Aaron

 

[Neromom39]

If it was just one, your beardie should be fine. But generally, what could possibly happen is impaction and paralysis. Keep an eye on your beardie's back legs. If for some reason they stop moving or they start twitching then you may have a problem. And of course, be on the look out for poo. Poo is ALWAYS a good sign. But if the size was relatively close you should be fine.

 

[chancellor91]

well persoanly, and i kno you all gonna rip on me, but my beardie eats any size crix she can get a hold of, i have a colony going, and she seems perfect

 

[Neromom39]

I don't think anyone is going to "rip" you. It's just a matter of being careful. And if your beardie is digesting them and her legs are fine and she is pooping normally, then you are good to go. But should any of that change, it may be a warning sign that her feeders might be too big :wink:

 

[diamc]

well persoanly, and i kno you all gonna rip on me, but my beardie eats and size crix she can get a hold of, i have a colony going, and she seems perfect

We're not going to lecture but you know it is a risk and we know how concerned you have been about other things. Not only is it an impaction risk but also the back legs of the large crickets are very big so they could get stuck either in the throat or on the way down. So, we certainly don't recommend it, why take any chances.

I just fed my 7inch juvie a cricket that may have been too big...it was probably just over a half inch long and his "eye width" is probably just about a half inch...he seems fine but it just happened...can someone explain what happens when th eat a cricket thats too big? Im sure I could search the posts, but it woul;s take a while...
Ideas?
Aaron

As Neromom said, just one cricket shouldn't be a problem, just keep an eye on him. Since a beardie that is only 7" long still has a kink in his digestive tract, it would be a good idea to double check the size before feeding them.

 

[chancellor91]

well my beardie is 11 inchs, and i always break back legs off big ones before i feed them, she never had a problem

 

[diamc]

The main reason I posted about the dangers of the back legs on the larger crickets is because if another member had read what you wrote

well persoanly, and i kno you all gonna rip on me, but my beardie eats any size crix she can get a hold of, i have a colony going, and she seems perfect

they might think it was OK to feed any size cricket to a baby beardie and then have an ill beardie on their hands. I don't think any of us here want that to happen. So, it's best to think about what you're writing so someone doesn't take it the wrong way and think it is ok to do, because it isn't.

 

[chancellor91]

true, im sorry you dont have to yell at me though

speak of the devil you could be correct because she didnt poo this morning and she always does so now im worried and gave her a oil.

 

[crickest]

I live in Denver and am close to CSU Veternary Hospital. I say this because their prices are really low in comparison to other vets.

Endoscopy for impaction = $800.00; Surgery for impaction = $1400.00.

Feeding smaller crickets and not running the chance = priceless

 

[chancellor91]

i no, now im scared should could be impacted, i am definatly stoping the large crix and only feeding her the small ones from my colony

 

[Neromom39]

true, im sorry you dont have to yell at me though

speak of the devil you could be correct because she didnt poo this morning and she always does so now im worried and gave her a oil.

Easy, easy I don't think Diane was yelling at you. She was just requesting that you be a bit more responsible with your words for the benefit of the noob's who may be reading your answers. No harm, no foul.

As far as your little one goes, certainly hold off on the larger crix until she's bigger and I would keep an eye on her legs. Give her a warm bath a couple of times a day if possible until she poos. There might be another reason for that. But if her back legs start to show any signs of twitching or no movement, definitely seek some care for her.

 

[chancellor91]

i got poo so im happy =] no mroe large crix i was so stupid

 

[crickest]

At least it came out okay in the end. . .

Trust me, you don't want to go through loosing your dragon. We lost our first on April 3 and I never want that to happen again. At least not until the dragon dies from old age.

 

[Neromom39]

i got poo so im happy =] no mroe large crix i was so stupid

Yeah Poo!

What a relief, huh? Don't beat yourself up. We all have to learn and none of us are immune to the "little scares".

 

[chancellor91]

im just happy i got poo and yes i am PARANOID but she is my baby