It’s an unfortunate reality for pet owners that sometimes, their reptiles eat something they shouldn’t, whether it’s a large piece of substrate or something that fell into their enclosure. While many of these incidents don’t result in anything serious, sometimes, pet reptiles can suffer bowel obstructions. Here, a solid object becomes lodged in the reptile’s digestive tract, posing many health complications.
Recognizing the signs can help you act quickly to preserve your reptile’s health. Here are the symptoms of this preventable condition.
1. Lethargy, Non-Responsiveness, and Odd Positioning
Let’s start with one of the less obvious symptoms of bowel obstructions in pet reptiles. Reptiles are relatively inactive during the day because they’re mostly nocturnal creatures––but they also usually stay very alert to external stimuli, even if they’re not physically active. For example, their eyes will open when they hear something unusual. Experts call this stationary alert, and it’s a key defense mechanism.
If your pet reptile seems unusually lethargic, this is a common sign that they’re sick. Maybe they’re lying in strange positions, or their limbs and body feel limp to the touch. Their tail may flop after you touch it, instead of the reptile controlling its position. Another clear sign is if they don’t chase live food like crickets in their enclosure. A healthy bearded dragon or snake will find it almost impossible to resist chasing them.
New reptile owners may find these signs more subtle than experienced keepers. That’s why it’s essential to get to know your pet and recognize their normal behavior.
2. Your Reptile Shows Signs of Stomach Pain
Stomach pain is another common sign of bowel obstructions. This may manifest as being overly sensitive to the touch, lying in odd positions, or having a swollen abdomen. Your options are limited if you want to address your pet reptile’s stomach pain. Unlike dogs, you can’t give them many over-the-counter medications, and because of the severity of bowel obstructions, the wait-and-see approach could prove fatal.
Whenever you have doubts about your reptile’s health, consult an exotic veterinarian who can diagnose their condition and offer treatment.
3. Loss of Appetite or Refusal to Eat
Loss of appetite usually goes hand-in-hand with some of the others in this guide. If a reptile has a bowel obstruction, it will usually suffer a loss of appetite. The feeling of constipation will make it lose the urge. This isn’t surprising because there’s nowhere for the waste food to go. Usually, weight loss will follow if refusing to eat continues for a prolonged period. Sometimes, the reptile may attempt to eat before regurgitating the food shortly afterward. It may even be too painful for them to eat if they have cysts and swellings in their stomachs.
Owners should pay careful attention to their animals’ diets and eating habits. That way, they can respond quickly if anything is out of the ordinary. Usually, pet snakes will eat once to twice a week depending on their age. Meanwhile, adult bearded dragons will eat every 24 to 72 hours. Each reptile has unique requirements depending on whether they’re young, a juvenile, or a senior.
4. The Reptile Vomits or Regurgitates
Vomiting and regurgitation are common symptoms of bowel obstruction in reptiles. They’re very similar, but there is a subtle difference between the two. Vomiting is when the reptile appears to successfully eat food. It will usually partially digest it before retching and heaving up the stomach’s contents.
Regurgitation is very similar, but the food might not be digested. It’s also possible that it may be more liquid than vomit. You should bring your reptile pet to the vet if they repeatedly vomit or regurgitate. If they only do it once, it could be a bad reaction to some food. But if they do it multiple times after eating, it’s a symptom that something is very wrong with their digestive system. It could be the result of a bowel obstruction or another health issue that affects reptiles.
5. Your Reptile Defecates Less
If your reptile isn’t eating as much as usual, it won’t produce the same amount of waste. This probably won’t come as a surprise, but it’s a sign that something isn’t right. It’s not the most appealing aspect of being a pet owner, but you should know what their poop looks like. For example, a bearded dragon should have brown and white poop in a tube shape with a firm texture. Runny or mucus-covered poop is a sign that something is wrong. Bloody or black feces is never good. You should consult your vet immediately if this happens.
Bowel Obstructions Need Immediate Veterinary Care
If your reptile has a stomach obstruction, bring your pet to an experienced and qualified reptile vet. They’ll be able to diagnose their condition and identify the problem. First, they’ll see if performing an endoscopy is possible if the reptile swallowed a foreign object it can’t pass. If the situation is more serious, they will take an ultrasound or an X-ray to identify the problem. More tests may be necessary in some scenarios.
After diagnosing the problem, the vet will attempt to treat the problem. Hydration therapy is one common cure. Prescribing fluids and electrolytes could help to soften the blockage and allow the reptile to pass it. The vet may perform an enema with a catheter to flush out the system or prescribe a laxative. Surgery is the final option in the most serious cases.
