Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I tried a google search on this but just find referrences to it and not actually a scientifi definition of it. Can somebody point me in the right direction for this info. I guess any study about baby Beardeds and prey size would help too. Thanks.
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1.1 Ornates (Lindsay Pike)(Doug Dix)
0.0.1 Mali
0.0.1 Egyptian
0.1 Weimaraner

Better known as impaction. Live food for babies and juveniles should have bodies no longer than the distance between a dragons eyes. The paralysis is caused by the blockage putting pressure on the spine. Unfortunately this is generally fatal. Only thing you can do is increase basking spot temp. and soak dragon in a warm bath ~85 degrees. If you have a great reptile vet. they could try an enema.

Another cause of paralysis in the rear legs is too big prey items..these can push against the spine and pinch the nerve, causing the rear legs to no longer function properly. If conditions are right, the food will eventually break down (depending on what it is, too large crickets, roaches, or grasshoppers, don't break down easily, superworms fed to very young dragons, or excessive amounts of mealworms and these can lead to actual blockages) if continual feeding to large items is stopped.

However, any sign of rear leg paralysis should be taken to a vet. Intestinal blockages can lead to death. Too large prey items fed constantly can also cause permanent blocks (ie won't pass through naturally) due to hard exoskeletons of the prey items sticking together and staying stuck, blocking the intestinal tract. MBD can also cause rear leg paralysis (or front legs, or both in worse cases) and this also needs to be look into. Blows or injuries to the spine can cause paralysis..though this won't be considered indigestible paralysis.
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PHLdyPayne

BDlvr and LdyPAyne hit it right on the head. You'll find more results using the word impaction rather than indigestion. From personal experience I stopped feeding mealworms and I keep a close eye when heavily feeding on a sand or walnut shell substrate. Usually sand doesn't cause problems but all animals are different, say you have a little guy who gets a mouthful of sand every time he hunts... I would move him to a "feeding tank" with a newspaper base so he can safely and easily find food. As far as size of prey... Like they said no bigger than the space between your beardies eyes. Better safe than sorry

Thanks guys, I'll do a little more searching with impaction instead. I don't own any Beardeds anymore but I used to breed them years ago and followed these same guidelines and am in a discussion with another about this and thier take is that the paralysis is a myth and a well hydrated Bearded can eat any size prey.
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1.1 Ornates (Lindsay Pike)(Doug Dix)
0.0.1 Mali
0.0.1 Egyptian
0.1 Weimaraner