r/ReptileCare

I didn’t know about the “fits between the eyes” rule for feeding bearded dragons insects. The hornworms I got for her were way too big and I didn’t realize. Not only that, but I gave her 2 big ones after they had already started to harden (overly mature and start to turn into chrysalises). It only took like 2 days of no food for them to harden and they were harder for her to eat than I had realized.

She is about 10 years old, I adopted her from friends about 1.5 years ago, and she has a history of digestion issues. I sometimes have to bathe her to get her to poop. I gave her a bath today and she was very active in trying to move around and was eventually able to poop, but she still looks uncomfortable and lethargic in her enclosure. There was a slight impaction that came out and gave mild relief, but I think that was from before. Can she even digest those things at that stage?? Idk 😭

Should I try to give her pumpkin and keep bathing her or should I take her to the vet ASAP? I fed her these hornworms 2-3 days ago. I know they eat crazy stuff in the wild but haven’t found anything online about this.

THANK YOU IM WORRIED!!

I want to preface this by saying yes, Tortellini has been to the vet multiple times.

Still acting normal and they’ve had X‑rays, spent an entire day at the vet getting water enemas, and even had a vibrator used to stimulate the colon 😭. They also spent three days at the vet for a full barium study. No blockage was found, but both food and barium took all night to leave the stomach.

A few months ago, Tortellini was treated for pinworms.

I have a follow‑up call with the vet on Tuesday, and he wants to know if there has been any pooping.

Tort has been home for two days now. I’m doing 20–30 minute warm soaks (95–100°F) twice a day, still no poop. I’ve increased fiber, still no poop. Enclosure temps are 86–92°F. I’m fighting with the heater to keep it consistent, but humidity is good. I’m also installing a sprayer system soon.

I need to get a cement‑mixer tub into the enclosure for a better soaking setup, but I can’t dump it once it’s full as it’s too heavy. So, I’m not sure how to manage water changes yet and keep it clean. Tips appreciated.

I picked up Bene‑Bac FOS Plus but its for mammals as the reptile one was discontinued🙄, but I’m not sure how to actually get him to poop at this point. It’s too cold outside for exercise, and I’m planning to put a cat wheel in the enclosure since he loved his hamster wheel when he was little.

If anyone has experience with stubborn GI stasis in red‑foots, or tips for getting things moving while we wait for the vet call, I’d appreciate it.

Summary:

• Multiple vet visits over the past few months

• X‑rays done — no obvious obstruction

• Full day at the vet for hydration enemas + mechanical stimulation (yes, including the vibrator)

• Three‑day barium study — no blockage; food + barium moved extremely slowly but did eventually pass

• Recently treated for pinworms

• Vet follow‑up scheduled for Tuesday; they specifically asked for updates on pooping

• Current home care:• Warm soaks 20–30 min, 95–100°F

• Increased dietary fiber

• Enclosure temps 86–92°F

• Humidity stable

• Working on heater consistency + installing sprayer

• Considering a cement‑mixer tub for soaking but struggling with water‑change logistics

• Bene‑Bac on hand

• Too cold for outdoor exercise

• Planning to add a cat wheel for movement enrichment

Current issue:

Tortellini has been home for two days with no poop, despite warm soaks, fiber, heat, and hydration. Looking for advice from keepers who have dealt with severe slow‑gut or stasis in red‑foots while waiting for the vet call.

Would it be safe to clean old pee stains in the same room as our Leopard Gecko is kept in using hydrogen peroxide? The room he is kept in has become the dogs favourite peeing spot when it is raining outside. The pee marks are old but stink, and it clearly isn't healthy from him to be living in that.

I don't have anywhere I can move him to while they are being cleaned, so I worry about spraying hydrogen peroxide near him. I know the particles from the hydrogen peroxide are dangerous to breathe in, so would simply pouring it be safe instead?

The house was going to be cleaned with a carpet cleaning machine using hydrogen peroxide. From my understanding these machines can put particles in the air and end up aerolising the cleaners. Would this be safe to use around him aswell?

Thank you in advance

So my whole life I have owned only mammal species, mainly rodents. When I was younger I had an African snail and she was lovely. Recently though, I have been interested in owning a reptile or a frog. I did some light research, and either I’m too picky or I just haven’t found the right species for me. My requirements are :

1. doesn’t make very loud noises, I currently have two hamsters in my room and I don’t wand the noise affecting them. It doesn’t have to be completely silent just not too loud.

2. doesn’t eat live food. I’m personally okay with it but I live with my parents and in the past they have expressed concern with having live bugs/worms at home, so I would much prefer if they had a different diet.

3. doesn’t need a lot of space. I know this narrows it down a lot, but I just don’t have a lot of space to work with. It would be best if the animal needed rather vertical space.

4. is beginner friendly and not too expensive! I have never owned an animal like this before, so i don’t want a complicated species.

Thank you for reading!!

Hello! I am looking for a job, I would love to work with animals but I’m only 16 and no one that has a real company will hire under 18 when working with animals. I absolutely love animals, all of them, I love all animals from your typical farm animals like cattle and sheep and whatnot to reptiles and smaller caged creatures and everything in between! I live in south indiana, I have a car and my license so I can drive myself and I don’t rely on others to drive me. I have all kinds of animals myself and have had animals since I was little so I am experienced. I’ll give you a list of animals that I’m experienced with but I am very responsible and respectful. Please if you need any help or know anybody that needs help plz reach out 🙏

Animals that I have experience with:

dogs (all kinds)

Cats

Chickens

Ducks

Horses (haven’t owned them but I’ve been around them most of my life and even was hired to take care of them for a short period of time)

Snakes (all kinds)

Geckos

Rats.

( I am not afraid of spiders (even tarantulas I will be getting one soon myself.) and I am not afraid of “scary” dogs or anything like that. Reptiles don’t scare me, they are actually preferred lol, but I don’t really have any limitations to what animals I am willing to work with or be around!)