Trouble Swallowing? Choking?

[musicalbeardie]

While I was feeding my beardie some crickets, I noticed he was puffing up his beard, neck and stomach a few times before he'd eat again.

I just moved him up from 1/4" crickets to 1/2" crickets, which are just about the size between his eyes. Is he just not use to the size or are they too big? Was he having trouble swallowing them?

Now he is up on his basking spot lifting his upper half up and with his mouth open. Should I be worried?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Those are likely a bit too large for him yet. If they are about the same size as the space between the eyes it could be a little hard for him to get down.
I would go back to the smaller ones for now until he gets a little bigger.
If you feel that he could be impacted, you can get some sugar free applesauce, canned pumpkin & a drop or two of olive or mineral oil & feed it to him to help move things along. That is good he is basking so hopefully he will be able to pass it all through.
You could also keep his tank around 80 overnight also to help expedite digestion a little bit.

Tracie

 

[musicalbeardie]

I don't have any apple sauce. He usually eats collard greens pretty well could I dip some small pieces in some olive on and give him that?

He stopped gaping but he's still basking in like a vertical position. I think he will be okay. He's acting normal now. I will keep an eye on his poop.

Do you think I can cut the crickets in half? I just bought 1000 of those not-so-little buggers

 

[Kessed]

I wouldn't cut them in half. Then they'll be dead...

My beardie often basks in an upright position.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh my, well maybe just feed less of them to be sure he can handle them. Yes, you can put some olive or mineral oil on a few small leaves of the collard greens to help out, if he still seems to be having some trouble.
Let us know how he is doing. I hope he is able to pass them through without any trouble!

Tracie

 

[AHBD]

Hi there.....just wanted to add that yes you can cut them in half when you feed them to him. Or you can just pinch off the head + back legs and offer them like that.

 

[musicalbeardie]

Thank you guys! He pooped! And he has been running around his cage acting his usual self so I think he is just fine.

And thanks for telling me I can cut them in half. I think the ones I fed him were a bit larger than 1/2" - I kind of got a mixed bag. Most were around 1/2 but I have some a lot larger and a lot smaller. I don't think feeding him dead crickets will be a problem because I hand feed him mostly and he takes crickets that aren't moving and greens and pellets from me hand.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I wouldn't have the heart to cut crickets in half. I know, I am too much of a softie I guess.
That is great he finally passed them through then. How is he doing today?
Maybe just pop off the back legs that can help out. Sometimes the barbs on the legs can cause irritation.
I am happy he is doing well!

Tracie

 

[musicalbeardie]

He just ate great and looks like he's going to shed - my first beardie shed! I'm excited.

I would feel bad cutting them in half at first but I'd get over it. After taking an Entomology class in college I learned insects don't feel pain, fear, etc. Their whole lives are based off reflexes which makes me feel better about murdering them en masse :lol:

Speaking of cutting insects in half - could I feed him superworms I've cut up? I honestly hate crickets and would much prefer breeding and feeding him superworms. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question; this is my first beardie.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great, I wish I had your gumption. LOL Poor insects though.
You could cut the heads off of the superworms which would take a little bit of the length off of them.
It is best to have a little bit of variety. The supers are great, but have a little higher fat content than say, roaches or crickets so you could switch back & forth between those. You could try small to medium silkworms or hornworms, for some variety, too.
I am glad he is getting ready to shed & doing well!

Tracie

 

[musicalbeardie]

Ooh awesome! I'll go buy some small supers to give him. I don't thing I need to worry too much about fat content - he's still a juvenile and is always running around the cage.

I just hate crickets. They smell, they're noisey, and they constantly die.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great, let us know how he likes them. You can try roaches too, or small silkworms, too they are nutritious.
I am glad he is doing so well now. I am sure he is growing quickly, too.

Tracie