| Bearded Dragons Impaction is one of the causes that | | | | 2. Detecting Impaction |
| generated many bearded dragons deaths. In the case | | | | There are a few signs that you may notice. One of |
| of a major impaction, the animal will not be very | | | | the first indications is that your Beardie will stop going |
| mobile, one or both back legs may appear paralyzed. | | | | to the bathroom regularly. You will notice the inability |
| If the impaction is higher in the digestive track, the | | | | to excrete regularly or straining when they do. Or |
| front legs may also be paralyzed. A lower impaction | | | | maybe slight leg trembles, regurgitation, dragging one |
| that is only affecting the back legs can continue to | | | | of both the back legs, not walking properly and you |
| grow until the front legs are also affected. When | | | | may also see a slight bump along the spinal area. |
| having impaction, a bearded dragon's digestive tract is | | | | These signs are not necessary a problem, because |
| blocked by a solid or semi-solid mass. | | | | every animal is different, but if you see them and |
| 1. Causes of impaction | | | | the pet is not acting like his normal self, be sure to |
| Food | | | | pay attention. This may be an indication that |
| If a bearded dragon eat get food items that are too | | | | something is serious going on. |
| large to properly move through their digestive tract. | | | | An indicator of a more serious problem is the partial |
| The best prevention for this is to remember that | | | | leg paralysis. The hind legs will have less mobility or |
| any item fed should be smaller in size than the space | | | | the dragon will drag his legs. Of course it could be not |
| between bearded dragon's eyes. | | | | from impaction, but definitely it's a problem and it |
| Some food items may not be easily digestible. Large | | | | needs your immediate attention. |
| crickets, mealworms, or superworms increase the | | | | The paralysis you are seeing is because the stomach |
| risk of developing impaction (especially to younger | | | | empties out into the intestines lying right along the |
| bearded dragons). | | | | mid/upper spine. It puts pressure on the spine, as |
| Not Proper Temperatures | | | | they do not have disc between the vertebras that |
| Bearded dragons need appropriate temperatures so | | | | protect the spine like other animals. Lower impactions |
| that the food will be digested peoperly. Keep in mind | | | | will usually display a slight raised area along the mid to |
| that the surface on which a bearded dragon basks, | | | | lower back or you can feel it in the abdomen area. |
| (after eating), should be maintained at a temperature | | | | Do not push along the spine right now or force them |
| between 100 to 115 degrees, in order for them to | | | | move their legs, let them do it in their own time, |
| digest their food properly. If a bearded dragon is fed | | | | forcing them can cause permanent damage. |
| a food item difficult to digest, and is not provided | | | | 3. Treating Impaction |
| with the proper temperatures in order for him to | | | | What is generally suggested is that with the earlier |
| digest that food, this can also create impaction. | | | | stages of a mild impaction, you may be able to offer |
| Dangerous Substrates for Bearded Dragons | | | | your bearded dragon some relief by giving him a |
| Bearde Dragons like to eat anything they find in the | | | | warm bath and gently massaging his abdomen. |
| cage. Many substrates can pose a risk. Some | | | | Massaging gently down towards the vent may assist |
| materials have been reported to have caused | | | | your bearded dragon in moving an impaction down |
| impaction. Some of them are Calci-Sand , any type of | | | | through his digestive tract, so that he can pass it. |
| pellets, several dried plant-based substrates are also | | | | It is also strongly recommended that you go with |
| known to present a high risk. Many substrates | | | | your pet immediately to a vet. If you cannot locate |
| producesrs claim theire products are completely | | | | an experienced reptile vet in your area, you may be |
| digestible. However, before trusting a substrate, do | | | | able to get some assistance by logging onto |
| some research to discover what those with lots of | | | | specialized sites (more to come). |
| personal experience think about it. | | | | |