Posted by:
PHLdyPayne
at Wed Apr 12 16:27:19 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by PHLdyPayne ]
I wouldn't use carrot or apple juice to aid constipation. However, pureed carrots, squash or other high water content vegetables helps alot with constipation. Warm soaks are also good. A bit of minerial oil fed to her via a needleless syrenge (a few drops is all that is needed) can help as well.
If she doesn't poop after a few days of pureed carrots, warm soaks,and the mineral oil, take her to a vet. Severe constipation may actually be an obstruction (ie impaction) from injested substrate, over large prey items that normally are hard to digest (ie too large crickets, roaches etc, or too many mealworms/superworms, especially with younger dragons) or something foreign your dragon may have accidently picked up while out of the cage.
Internal problems could cause it too, swellings, tumors etc, could pinch or block the bowels preventing passage of fecal matter. Hopefully it's nothing like this but if the above suggestions don't move things along in a few days (or by the end of the Easter holidays) take him to a vet right away.
If he starts becoming lathargic, strains to poop alot, or shows signs of a prolapse (pink fleshy material pushed out of the vent, or the hemipenes of a male), bleeding or any other signs of distress, get him to a vet (even if you have to find an emergency vet to take him to). In the case of a prolapse, put the dragon on a small cage with nothing but slightly damp papertowel while you get him to a vet, to prevent the tissues drying out. Sugar water soaks can help reduce swelling and maybe letting the prolapse go back in...though the overall problem (ie constipation/impaction) would not be solved. Just a way to keep things from getting worse. ----- PHLdyPayne
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