Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed since there has been a weather change where i live (virginia beach, va) from what use to be pretty cool (50's) to now warm/hot (85-90) that my beardie has become really inactive. She mainly has been hanging out in her cooling zone and i have both temps on either side of the cage excatly correct. When i do take her out of the cage (every day because i bathe her and make sure she recieves a good drink of water) she becomes more active and alert. What has me the most concerned is now when she goes to the bathroom (always when i give her a bath) ive notice tiny itty bitty piece of rice looking things in her stool. Everything else seems well digested and these rice looking things do not move. With in the last 24 hours the only two things she has had to eat are crickets and mustard greens. And she has been eatting well as always. Am i over reacting? Is there something going on with my dragon i should be concerned about. ANY HELP with this matter would really be appericated! Thank you!!!!

PS. My dragon is 17.5inches long and is a female 9 months old.

Without seeing them, I can't say for sure. From previous experience, the little rice things are probably undigested cricket legs. They are harder to digest than other parts, especially if he has been hanging out in the cool end mostly. Might want to get a fecal done just in case though.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

Agreed with Sean about getting a fecal done.
Those "rice looking things" could be undigested cricket legs or worms. With her lack of activity, I would lean more towards the fecal check and parasites.
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Lisa
Cricket free babies!
LIVE hatchling web cam 8 - 8 EST
www.beginnersbasics.com

crix eggs. If your dragon is eating adult female crix there is a good chance it's crix eggs as well... they will look off yellow color... if they are white they are most likely parasites.. but my guess is undigested crix eggs due to spending more time on the cool zone and not digesting everything properly.

Fecals are always a good thing to do as previously stated.

Good luck,
brandon
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Dragons by Nature

Yet another possibility is Tapeworm(s). They are not diagnosed very often but, you always want to consider all the possibilities. When you said the rice shaped white things in the fecals that is indicative of Tapeworms. If it is tapeworm(s) what you are seeing are proglottids. Tapeworms don't have a direct lifecycle, but if you bought your dragon at a Pet store that could be where it came from. Also have you ever kept any other reptiles in that cage or do you have other reptiles? The other reptiles feces could be where it got it from. Lastly I would Definitely get a Fecal Float done. If it is positive the vet will probably send you home w/ some Praziquantel.

-Randy

P.S.
If you ever see the rice things move then they are Proglottids for sure!!!
AlphaDragonZ

Thank you everyone for your responses! I went to the vet today and the fecal came out negitive for everything! She did have a parasite once before and was treated with albone (sp). That parasite didn't even show up on the test. Makes me feel a little better knowing that she isn't in any present harm! I will check everyday to see if it was just a one time thing or not.....and if i ever see anything move in her poop ill run her to the vet ASAP! Again thank you so much for you help! Noodles says thank you too!