Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have about 10 month old, healthy, good eater (crickets, mixed greens) suddenly loose stools but no behaviour change. Its been very hot here and his cage is hotter than ususal, he doesn't go to the cool end (don't know how many gallons but 3' long, 18" deep and high cage), have been misting him through the heat wave and placing him in his large water dish - he won't stay in it, though. He eats/chases crickets robustly so far...... seems bright eyed, etc
We're using only the mercury vapor UV lamp and no heat lamp at night to let it cool down some....
this one's never been to the vet.....
today is Sunday, tomorrow is a holiday, sounds gross, i'm sorry, but this mornings stool, will it last as a sample 'til tuesday???

No, you need to bring in a fresh sample. Sorry.

At best you can store a stool sample in the fridge for 24 hours but fresher is better.

However, one single loose stool doesn't mean he is packed full of parasites. Any change in the diet, extra moisture taking in etc can cause softer stools. Typically a parasite filled dragon's poop also reeks much more than normal and it will be like this all the time.

You indicated that the cage is hotter, how hot is it? What are you using to measure the temperatures? If your dragon is active and moving about all the time, and not hiding in his hide or in the cool end, he may not be too hot at all.

I also suggest not to over mist him as you don't want to raise the humidity in his cage. Too much humidity over a long period can cause upper respiratory infections and other problems in bearded dragons. If you feel he is getting too hot, add a hide near his warm area, where it will be cooler inside for him to go into if he's feeling too warm.

Hot dragons go very pale in color and tend to not want to move, usually try and dig under stuff or go into shaded areas to find a cool spot.
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PHLdyPayne