Can dubia roaches cause impaction in bearded dragons?

I recently sold a 6 month old dragon who had been eating dubia for months. He was over 200 grams and perfectly healthy when I shipped him and today I found out he was being treated for paralysis due to a possible impaction. Her vet said the roaches may have caused the impaction. He only ate about 4 mediums before he left, and some were freshly shed and still white. I never feed much before shipping for obvious reason but like to make sure they eat a little. I also used 2 heat packs on top of his inner box during shipping. This vet had also recommended crushed walnut as a substrate but it was removed within an hour me telling her how bad it could be. I don't know the outcome yet but feel really bummed that this happened to him. Hopefully they will be able to find out the cause.

Any ideas? Comments?

I wouldn't put a lot of faith in her conclusion that the roaches caused the impaction since she recommended the walnut substrate. :roll:

IF he was actually impacted, I would either blame the lack of heat needed for digestion during shipment, or the new owner gave him something.

Whats the time line of events?

Any prey item that is to large can cause an impaction but I would point the finger at the walnut substrate.

Good question Chris. I'll see what I can find out. It's just a really wierd thing to happen to a dragon that size. I would think that crickets could just have easily caused it. Not that I want to point any fingers, I just want to know what is the true cause so that I know what to avoid if something I did might have caused it.

Cheryl do you know what the new owner was feeding this beardie when he got to them?
How long had this beardie been in his new place of residence?

My thoughts would be that the new owner would more likely feed improper feeders an;or improper size to cause impaction rather than someone that has been raising beardies for awhile. It just doesn't sound right to me. Sorry I would have a difficult time believing what the vet thought about the roaches being he suggested crushed walnut shell. An I can only wonder what he would have suggested that this person use as feeders...mealworms or pinkies possibly???? :x

Hi Barbara,
He arrived Tuesday morning and later that evening she had fed him several large crickets and said he was staring at her wanting more. Then later told me he liked kale, carrots & kiwi and I mentioned he also loved collards, butternut & turnip greens. This am I texted her to check in and see if they named him and that's when I heard the news. She took him to the vet yesterday and also said he had not pooped since he arrived. He didn't go Monday before I shipped him either, I fed him lightly in the am and again in the afternoon. Smaller roaches than I normally would. I think it is possible that he wasn't able to start breaking down the food during the shipment, but it wouldn't be any different than me turning off the lights for the night. He has aways been a hearty dragon with no issues. I'm sure it could be purely coincidence. I do have to give her thumbs up for taking him to the vet and not even remotely trying to blame me for anything. She just wants him better as do I.

Cheryl I feed my babies and juvies on the days I ship as well and so far there have not been any issues. I just give a cut off time so the beardie has time to bask for digestion and then bath so we get poop...then have enough time to bask real well before going into the box. With a 200gram beardie and 4 mediumish roaches I just really can't imagine it being the roaches :roll: ....unless you possibly gave them to him within an hour of being packed up. If so then it would be possible I guess.

So how is the beardie doing now?

Tell her to soak the beardie a few times a day. I wouldnt point the finger at one thing at this point simply because once it is out of your hands you really dont know exactly what was feed, how much, temperatures and everything else. Just help her with getting the impaction passed.

could it just possibly be from the stress of shipping? i bet once he settles down, gets comfortable and relaxes the poop will be flowing haha...