Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took my 7yr old Beardie to the vet Mon (6-2-08) because she had a prolapsed rectum. He said it wasn't bad enough for surgery but to keep a bandage (of stretch gauze and vet wrap) on for about 10 days and the muscles would hopefully be strong enough by then to keep it in. I am also to give her Metamucil (SID) each day and put Preparation H (~BID) on her vent. On Wed (6-4-08) I went to change her bandage and she laid an egg. Two days later she has not laid another egg. She also has not had a bowel movement since Saturday. Her appetite has decreased since Wednesday. I have another vet appointment tomorrow (Sat 6-7-08). I work at a vet's office but unfortunatly we only see cats and dogs. I was able to take a couple of x-rays of my beardie at work but am not quite sure what I am to be looking at. I think I can see more eggs in there but I need a reference x-ray to look at to be sure. I do not know what a normal beardie x-ray would look like. Does anyone have an x-ray to send me either of a normal beardie or of one that is egg-bound? I am having a hard time finding one online. Also, until my vet appt tomorrow is there anything I can do for her?

First off if she laid one egg there is surely more in there. I have never heard of a dragon only laying one egg.

I would be sure that the vet you are using is trained in reptiles. His diagnosis and treatment makes me a little worried. Possibly you could go to www.arav.org and see if he is listed there or maybe find another for a 2nd opinion.

I have had dragons get an ultrasound to see eggs but never an x-ray. sorry.

I would make sure you keep her hydrated. I drip water on their nose with an eyedropper.

If she was egg bound she would not have laid an egg. She is gravid and needs a good place to lay the eggs, but there is no reason to think she is egg bound if she is passing eggs. Egg bound dragons feel like they have a large lump of coal in them.

Steven Barnes

Feel free to call me. 541-914-4903

Thank you for your reply! Is it normal for them to go days without laying another egg? She has only had one on Wednesday and on Thursday I made her a nesting box. She doesn't pay attention to it though, she will walk in it but comes right back out and lays on her log. Also I think the bandage is bothering her a lot, it has to cover her whole vent area because of her prolapsed rectum. Thank you very much for the x-ray also, that's a good one. I do have some x-rays of her from Wednesday, if she had eggs would it be very obvious to me on them?

is that gauze thing the vet put on her vent blocking her entire vent? If its interfering with her ability to pass things through the vent, that could be why she hasn't lain any eggs...Most vets put a stitch or two around the vent to help keep a prolapse from occuring again.

However, the fact she had a prolapse could indicate she is having troubles passing fecal matter and/or eggs.

I suggest a warm soak, 10-20 minutes is good, to help hydrate your dragon.

Stop using the Preparation H and Metamucial, those are not meant for reptiles and probable end up doing more harm than good. Offer pureed carrots, summer squash, or sweet potato, about a teaspoon (level). These will be more useful to deal with constipation than the Metamucial stuff.
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PHLdyPayne