My beardie is impacted, bleeding, and in pain. What should I do?

Thanks for reaching out about Enola and including photos. The cloaca does appear infected but that might be a secondary problem. She also appears very thin. Diet and husbandry needs to be reviewed to provide an optimal healing environment. A fecal examination for parasites and bacteria should be performed at a veterinary office, as the pet store has zero medical knowledge and now one week has been wasted. A veterinary visit is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment. Short (10-15 minute) warm water soaks can provide some transient comfort and might stimulate defecation. Systemic antibiotics (oral or injections) are probably required, no only topical. Good luck.

A prolapse in a bearded dragon should be considered an emergency. Max needs to be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet. Severe prolapses may require surgical correction. The underlying cause (impaction, parasites, etc.) must also be diagnosed and treated to prevent recurrence. In the meantime, keep him on moist, clean paper towels. Make a paste with table sugar and water. apply it to the vent for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with sterile saline and apply a sterile lubricant until you can get Max to your vet.

Thanks for reaching out about Spike. He probably needs to see a veterinarian, since the warm water soak and other treatments haven't seemed to work. Any change of ingested foreign bodies (sand, bark, paper, other)? Hold back on the olive oil, as if aspirated with cause death. Good luck.

I wouldn't be overly concerned at this point although he may be constipated or have the start of a blockage. Is it possible your mom overfed him? I notice you have him on sand which often causes blockages. I suggest you switch to a more proper substrate ( like indoor/outdoor carpet or newspaper). I recommend you try soaking him in warm water that may cause the bowels to start moving. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102919&id=7996830 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Check temps in the enclosure first. Low temps can affect digestion which could lead to regurgitation. It can also cause stress resulting in the black beard. Other potential causes include impaction, constipation, overeating (less likely with a decreased appetite) or infection (bacterial, viral, parasites). Survey the area in and around the enclosure for other negative stimuli. Reduce or eliminate if found. Continue soaks in a 50/50 mix of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide supplemental heat and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. Gently massage the abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. If symptoms persist, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Your vet may recommend x-rays to rule out or diagnose impaction, tumors or foreign body.

She could be impacted, especially if she is on a sand bedding, you can try giving her laxatives such as parafin oil and cat hairball paste 3 times a day, i do recommend taking her to the vet to get it confirmed before you do that, an xray will confirm it if she has sand impaction.

Thanks for reaching out about Copper. Soft or runny stool is often a sign of intestinal parasites, inflammation, impaction or infection, but some metabolic conditions can also result in soft stool. Check and correct husbandry to provide the preferred optimal thermal zone (POTZ) for the species which is 90+F. If you do not have an accurate thermometer, you should. If continues to be lethargic and/or loose stool, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.