very strange things in poo ! worried

Question
QUESTION: Hi,I hope you can help!!  We have a pair of bearded dragons now 9months old and the female has developed some problems passing...We have been to a vet and had a fecal test but there was no evidence of worms or parasites...however,she still has a lot of trouble passing and even though she loves being in warm water,she still seems to have trouble but eventually passes,sometimes with a little blood,grey film around the poo and at least 100 small and very uniformed jelly like, off white, topedo shaped, 2mm in length approx, worm like things.She also drinks a lot of water before she passes and she has a verousious appetite,all of the time!! The strange shaped things are their in abundance and can be seen really clearly in water,I have a picture if you would like to see...i really appreciate you reading this and I only hope you have heard of this before as I have asked so many people but no-one has any idea!! Thanking you in advance,Martin

ANSWER: Hello Martin,

Can I see a picture of that?  That sounds very odd. Do they "move" when in the water?  Does this happen with EVERY stool, or just every so often?  What type of feeders are you feeding her?   
The fecal test was normal?
If she has a huge appetite, it sounds like it could be worms.  That is odd if the fecal came back fine.  
What type & brand of UVB light are you using a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light?  
What are the temps in the tank, & what do you use to measure the temps?  
Do you supplement calcium?  
Definitely I need to see pictures.

Tracie

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bearded dragon problem   QUESTION: Hi,thanks for your response....I have attached a pic for you,I have taken advise from the local reptile specialists in the Uk and we feed a diet of wax worms,hoppers and black or brown crickets and they readily eat watercress and mustard/salad cress.I was advised not to give them fruit or greens such as cabbage or lettuce.I mix their diet so they never have too much of one thing.I dust everything with nutrobal/calcium mix again advised by specialist in Birmingham,I have 2 bulbs producing 100 degree farenheight plus basking areas and a habistat thermostat with a ceramic heater set too 85f in a viv that is 4x2x2ft.It has a brand new,3ft arcadia 12%uvb D3 reptile lamp,specifically for desert lizards.The subtrate is now aussie bed which I use because I was worried impaction from wood chip could be the problem and the lizards can digest aussie bed if needs be.The things in the water don't move at all.It happens ever so often but she is constipated most if not all the timeThe vet gave her an anti worming treatment orally but the fecal sample only revealed plant matter-(seed like) but we do not feed them any seeds.I must admit that taking another sample to the vet would be a smart move but I do not have much faith in them,after spending nearly 100pounds and getting very little advise if any at all...."Ive never seen that before" was as good as it got.I want to get as much advise and info as possible before I go there again,maybe there is a worming or parasite treatment on the market I could try?   Thanks,Martin

Answer
Hello Martin,
Hm that is interesting looking.  I do not think it is worms though, as it is way too numerous.  If she was that innudated with worms or parasites, she would not have much of an appetite, or she would be losing weight.  Her weight is stable, correct?
I wish you could get a higher resolution pic though, it might help out.  At first I thought it could be cricket eggs, but I don't think so.
Could it be the the substrate that she is eating?  What exactly is in the Aussie bedding?  I could not find much on it.  
The UVB you are using is a great flourescent tube bulb.  Ok, so the nutrabol, how often do you use that?  That is a vitamin mix with calcium in it, so that should only be used 1-2 times per week.  Do you use straight calcium?  If not, I recommend that you do, 3-4 times per week.  Miner-All or Calypso are both fine.  I find that using the vitamin & calcium mix (when combined) doesn't always give the proper amounts of calcium.  
Constipation usually is caused by dehydration, low calcium levels, or too much calcium can dehydrate them & sometimes cause constipation, & lack of UVB which obviously is not the issue.
How far is the Arcadia tube from her?  
They can have fruit a couple of times per week such as berries, mango or papaya,  However, cabbage, kale & lettuce is not nutritious & the cabbage & kale have oxalates which can bind calcium absorption.
So, what is the ambient temps in the tank, 85?  What do you use to measure the temperature with, a digital probe or a temp gun?
Let's see if we can figure this out before you waste more money. :-))


Tracie