A common issue in the health of bearded dragons is the risks associated with impaction or constipation. Impaction occurs when the lizard is unable to digest the food they eat fully, which causes blockages in the intestines.
The typical causes are related to improper diets and substandard living-conditions. However, before you decide to take your lizard to your veterinarian consider these home remedies which can be effective for minor cases.
How To Know When Your Bearded Dragon Is Impacted
One of the first signs you will probably notice is the absence of bowel-movements. The younger bearded dragons usually pass a stool just about every day from the larger amounts of food (insects) that they eat.
The adult’s usually only pass a stool every 7 to 10 days. However, this will be dependent on the type of dragon you own and what is regarded as “regular” to their species. If an adult bearded dragon has gone past 14 days without any bowel movements they are more than likely constipated.
One of the other immediate signs associated with impaction is to physically feel the stomach area. If they are impacted you may notice abnormal hard spots or bulges. You must keep in mind the amounts of food that they usually eat. The bromating dragon usually does not eat very much which means they will not pass stools as often.
In cases that are more serious, constipation can affect the pet’s abilities to move. Paralysis of the hind leg is one of the more common symptoms of constipated or impacted dragons. If you have noticed that your bearded dragon’s back legs are not working or moving, take the pet to the vet immediately.
Here are the steps you can you use to assist your impacted bearded dragon:
• Stop feeding
• Give your pet a couple of drops of olive oil or vegetable oil using an eye-dropper. If you are unable to get the pet to swallow the oil, you may want to mix the oil into un-sweetened apple sauce
• Put your bearded dragon into Luke-warm water and allow the pet to soak for at least 30 minutes
• While in the water gently rub the area of the stomach from the area of the snout to the vent
• Remove the pet out of the water and place underneath a basking light Tranh Canvas
• Repeat this process up to 3 times daily until such stage that the impaction has passed
If the bearded dragon has still not passed a stool within 2 days after this treatment, you need to get your pet to your vet as soon as possible. The above mentioned steps assist in hydrating the lizard and to loosen the impaction using the oil and massaging the abdomen.
These tips are not a guarantee that you will miss out on another costly vet bill, but can help to ease constipation in your lizard. The best advice is to ensure you are spending daily time with your pet, in order to recognize when something is not right.