Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Please reply as soon as possible! thanx. i have a 9.5" 6-7 month beardie. i have been using calisand, calcisand,or repti sand, the kind with calcium and vitamins included, i just changed it to papertowels today. iv'e had him since september, do you think he'll be alright. im scared that the sand has gaven him impaction. can some one please tell me things to look for to make sure?
also... i fed him to day and he did go to the bathroom, but iv'e been feeding him larger crix, for 1 week so far. then later he ate some fortified food and carrots,(he started to eat veggies just a couple of days ago!!!!) and found a few smaller crix that have been hiding in cage around 3:00(ate them around 3:00). its now around 5:00 now. and he usually goes and curls up to sleep around
6:00-8:00. do you think he'll digest his food by the time he goes to sleep. again, i am worried that he'll get impaction. he's been looking a little fatter in the tummy lately. should i cut down on the crix? i feed him 4 or 3 large crix every day, and if i do use small crix, i feed him 7-12 small crix each day.

please reply(asap),
lauren

Hi
Sorry I don't have but a minute to type, but if you are that worried about him the best thing to do is, soak him in some warm water for about 10 mins, that will help him go to the bathroom,,, I'm sure someone will hop on here soon and give you some more advise good luck

Impaction is usually signaled by rear leg extension and twitching with noticeable straining wile trying to poop. They may also have difficulty walking. If you are worried about impaction, you can try warm baths for 10-20 minutes 2-3 times a day. Lightly and gently massage the belly to help push the blockage out.

A dragon that size should be eating 1/2" crix. it is always better to feed smaller than larger. The larger crix have less meat and more chitin (not good)

Feeding of crix should be as many as he will eat in a 10-15 minute period than remove uneaten ones.

You are probably much better off with shelf liner as crix will get under the paper. (for more info on shelf liner search the archives there are lots of posts about it.

Make sure you give him at least 1 hour of heat after his last meal of the day for proper digestion. I keep my basking spot at 110-115F
-----
Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

i JUST REMOVED CALCI-SAND AND PUT IN SHELF LINER LAST WEEK. yOU GET IT A WAL-MART. BRAND NAME IS DUCK. I GOT WHITE BUT YOU CAN DO PATTERNS. 20 INCH WIDTH WHICH IS THAN CUT DOWN TO SIZE. ON THE WHITE CRICKET POOP IS SIGHTED AND THAN CLEANED UP. pATTERNS WILL HIDE STAINS THAT SHOW UP ON THE WHITE.

I WANT TO WARN YOU ABOUT OUR MOTTO HERE AT SUMMER CAMP. CLEAN MIND. CLEAN BODY. TAKE YOUR PICK

>>I WANT TO WARN YOU ABOUT OUR MOTTO HERE AT SUMMER CAMP. CLEAN MIND. CLEAN BODY. TAKE YOUR PICK

I'm kinda slow sometimes and I don't get it !

Thanks!
-----
Rob Talkington

Guess I'm dating myself it is an old saying from a folk singing group called the Limelighters late 50's early 60's