Are there any health issues with bearded dragons?
While bearded dragons are naturally pretty hardy, that isn’t to say that they can’t develop serious health issues! In fact, in this article alone we will be discussing 17 bearded dragon diseases, health concerns, and illnesses that all owners should be aware of!
Is it normal for bearded dragon to open its mouth?
It can be very common for the bearded dragon to open its mouth while on the basking perch for short periods of time. This is a way to cool off while directly under the basking bulb. This behavior is very similar to the way a dog pants to cool off and completely normal. If slack jaw is suspected seek a reptile veterinarian immediately.
What should I do if my bearded dragon is slack jawed?
This is a way to cool off while directly under the basking bulb. This behavior is very similar to the way a dog pants to cool off and completely normal. If slack jaw is suspected seek a reptile veterinarian immediately. In the mean time, offer soft foods to the bearded dragon such as baby food or soft wax worms.
What are the symptoms of bearded dragon mouth rot?
As far as symptoms, bearded dragon with mouth rot will typically display some or all of the following symptoms…. Decreased appetite/disinterest in food. Inflamed or red oral tissues. Yellowish or grayish areas of skin around mouth. Excessive saliva or discharge from the mouth. Dead tissue in or around the mouth.
While bearded dragons are naturally pretty hardy, that isn’t to say that they can’t develop serious health issues! In fact, in this article alone we will be discussing 17 bearded dragon diseases, health concerns, and illnesses that all owners should be aware of!
When do bearded dragons start to lose weight?
Please note that your bearded dragon might start brumation. Bearded dragons start brumating during colder months of the year, and can go without eating for up to few months without losing any weight! Brumating bearded dragons mostly sleep, don’t move around much, and don’t eat. Also, bearded dragons start to brumate after reaching 12-18 months old.
It can be very common for the bearded dragon to open its mouth while on the basking perch for short periods of time. This is a way to cool off while directly under the basking bulb. This behavior is very similar to the way a dog pants to cool off and completely normal. If slack jaw is suspected seek a reptile veterinarian immediately.
This is a way to cool off while directly under the basking bulb. This behavior is very similar to the way a dog pants to cool off and completely normal. If slack jaw is suspected seek a reptile veterinarian immediately. In the mean time, offer soft foods to the bearded dragon such as baby food or soft wax worms.
When does a bearded dragon stop eating food?
Just before your bearded dragon starts to brumate, it will start refusing food, getting slow and lethargic, sleeping a lot (even during the day) and hiding. Bearded dragons often start brumating at the age of 12-18 months, mostly during the winter.
What do you need to know about impaction in bearded dragons?
When our beardie got sluggish and hid, we were worried about a possible impaction. One of the few health concerns bearded dragon owners need to be concerned with is impaction. A close cousin of constipation, but quite a bit more serious, impaction is something all bearded dragon owners should know about.
What’s the best thing about owning a bearded dragon?
One of the many things we love about owning a bearded dragon is that they are very hardy animals. Get a few things right and they are happy and healthy and overall great pets. So when Bacardi, our beardie, hadn’t pooped for a few days, we started to get worried. When our beardie got sluggish and hid, we were worried about a possible impaction.
What are health problems of bearded dragons?
5 Common Bearded Dragon Health Concerns Sunken Eyes. Do your bearded dragon’s eyes look sunken in? Wrinkly Skin. Unlike humans who acquire wrinkly skin as they age, a bearded dragon’s wrinkly skin has nothing to do with age and everything to do with weight and hydration. Lethargy. Lack of Appetite. Sunken Fat Pads.
What are the symptoms of a sick bearded dragon?
Symptoms of a sick Bearded dragon. Partial or complete anorexia (lack of appetite) Weight loss & poor body condition. Diarrhoea (abnormal or runny faeces and / or cloacal soiling) Lumps, bumps, sores & abrasions on the skin. Dehydration (wrinkled skin & sunken eyes) Paralysis or lameness of the limbs or tail.
Do bearded dragons carry diseases?
Yes, bearded dragons can carry diseases. They have been known to carry salmonella which can also be contracted from other reptiles. Salmonella is spread through their feces. This means that if you carry out good hygiene practices by washing your hands after you have cleaned up their poop and don’t touch your face then you will be fine.
What problems do bearded dragons have?
Some health issues that bearded dragons may have include: metabolic bone disease, atadenovirus, impaction, prolapsation, and parasites. The majority of health issues bearded dragons face in captivity are due to poor diet and inadequate heat and lighting.
Why does my bearded dragon have metabolic bone disease?
Bearded dragons and other reptile pets develop Metabolic bone disease (MBD) if they do not get enough calcium in their diet or through natural/artificial lighting. MBD can be also caused by over supplementation with phosphorus (ratio of calcium : phosphorus in bearded dragon’s diet is crucial and should be 2:1-2.5:1).
What happens if a bearded dragon can’t move its legs?
As a result, it will cause tail and back kinking, rubbery jaw. It will also cause soft bones that will easily break and cause joint problems. This will make it too hard and painful for your bearded dragon to move. Your bearded dragon’s bones will become covered with a fibrous tissue that will make them look swollen.
What does a bearded dragon look like with MBD?
Your bearded dragon’s bones will become covered with a fibrous tissue that will make them look swollen. With more progressive MBD, your dragon will be limping or just laying down, as well as shaking/twitching. Its legs will be most likely extended straight and look swollen.
How to tell if a bearded dragon has metabolic bone disease?
The radiograph above depicts both a healthy bearded dragon (top) and a bearded dragon with Metabolic Bone Disease (bottom). Dragons that have a severe case of MBD will very clearly look deformed. Often times, limbs will appear frail and limp, being drug along as the dragon walks, unable to support the weight.
How often should I take my bearded dragon to the vet?
Besides, don’t forget to take them to your vet for routine vet check at least once in a year to see if they may be having any health issues. Common health problems or disease and conditions they may have include:
As a result, it will cause tail and back kinking, rubbery jaw. It will also cause soft bones that will easily break and cause joint problems. This will make it too hard and painful for your bearded dragon to move. Your bearded dragon’s bones will become covered with a fibrous tissue that will make them look swollen.
What happens if a bearded dragon does not go to the bathroom?
If your dragon doesn’t go to the bathroom as usual or it has diarrhea or another change in its feces, then it may be sick. If your bearded dragon has not gone to the bathroom for several days yet still continues to eat, it can become a major health problem.
When to take a sick bearded dragon to the vet?
If your dragon doesn’t go to the bathroom as usual or it has diarrhea or another change in its feces, then it may be sick. If your bearded dragon has not gone to the bathroom for several days yet still continues to eat, it can become a major health problem. Take the animal to be seen by a vet so that any digestive problems can be treated quickly.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is sick?
If your bearded dragon is stressed, it can seem sick as well. In fact, prolonged stress will cause sickness as it suppresses the immune system. To find out if your bearded dragon is stressed, you need to look at many different factors. If you have just brought your bearded dragon home and it’s not eating or basking for few days, it’s fine.
Why is my bearded dragon not eating or basking?
If you have just brought your bearded dragon home and it’s not eating or basking for few days, it’s fine. This should pass within a week or so. Bearded dragons can become stressed due to many factors – lack of light or heat, other pets, bright lights, loud noises, cage mates and many more. Please find out the causing problem and fix it.
Is it normal for bearded dragons to extend their legs?
Remember, it is normal for bearded dragons to extend their hind legs when basking, however if they are doing this abnormally, then touch their toes to see if they move their legs to determine if they are stretching or have a medical issue. Learn how to make sure a bearded dragon’s diet is healthy.
Why does my bearded dragon have sunken eyes?
If your bearded dragon has sunken eyes it could be due to them being dehydrated. A quick way to confirm if this is in fact the case, is to gently pinch your bearded dragon’s skin if it looks loose. If the skin doesn’t settle back into place immediately after you release, chances are they’re in need of some water.
What to do if a bearded dragon has an open mouth?
If your bearded dragon has an open mouth because of repeated stress or a respiratory infection it’s your job to sort out the problem. If they’re sick, take them to the vet. If an adjustment needs to be made to their living situation, do it ASAP! Once you have everything finely-tuned, an open mouth will never be something that concerns you again.
What does it mean when a bearded dragon is Panting?
When the temperatures get too high, bearded dragons start panting to cool themselves down. This can be a sign of overheating – make sure he or she has a spot to cool down and that the temperatures are not overly high in the vivarium.
Why does a bearded dragon head bob at a female?
Head bobbing is generally used as a sign of dominance between two dragons. Males will head bob at females to show their dominance during breeding.
What do you need to know about a bearded dragon?
As a responsible pet owner, it’s up to you to become familiar with what not only each of these behaviors mean, but what triggers them as well. Understanding your beardie’s body language and behavior will give you a serious look at their health, mental state, and much more.
Can a bearded dragon be pregnant if there are no males?
This means, that even if your female bearded dragon hasn’t been around any males, she could still be “gravid” AKA pregnant and lay a clutch of infertile eggs. In the weeks leading up to your female laying her eggs, regardless of whether they’re fertile or infertile, she will likely display some specific behaviors.
What to do if your bearded dragon is unresponsive?
If being cool made your bearded dragon become unresponsive, then heat can help bring it back to normal. If you wish to know for sure, a vet will be able to perform a Doppler ultrasound to check for any blood flow in the body. A vet will also check for a pulse and see if pupils react to light at all.
Why does a bearded dragon flatten out in the Sun?
Whether in the sun or under their basking bulb, a dark bearded dragon is simply trying to just warm themselves up. Additionally, you may notice your bearded dragon during this time flatten out, kind of similar to a pancake. This is also a mechanism they’ll use to warm up as it enlarges their body, allowing them to attract more heat.
When to worry about a bearded dragon laying eggs?
If you suspect that your bearded dragon is gravid and going to lay eggs, you’ll want to make sure you provide he r with a lay box and also adjust her diet to keep her healthy and make her birthing process as easy on her as possible.
How long does it take a bearded dragon to go back to normal?
Also, don’t expect them to have much of an appetite either. How long it will take your bearded dragon to go back to normal will vary on a case by case basis, with some beardies acting like their normal selves within a few days and others taking a whole month. Just be make sure to be patient.
Can a bearded dragon walk on its back?
A bearded dragon that is healthy will use both of its front and back legs equally to move around. Your bearded dragon shouldn’t be limping, having trouble lifting its legs or move them to walk around. While most bearded dragons love laying with their stretched legs and doing splits, they should be able to walk normally.
Why does my bearded dragon have leg paralysis?
If your bearded dragon has swallowed any food or object that was larger than the width between the eyes, it might start getting convulsions. Consequently, this can lead to body shock, shaking and leg paralysis. Make sure not to house your bearded dragon on any loose substrate.
Your bearded dragon’s bones will become covered with a fibrous tissue that will make them look swollen. With more progressive MBD, your dragon will be limping or just laying down, as well as shaking/twitching. Its legs will be most likely extended straight and look swollen.
When to take a bearded dragon to the vet?
Take your bearded dragon to the vet if you suspect impaction. If your bearded dragon has broken its bones, it will have trouble walking, using its legs and will be limping. Your bearded dragon can break its bones from falling. Another reason yet again, can be MBD.
Why does my bearded dragon not go to the bathroom?
If you notice your bearded dragon has stopped defecating for several days, yet is still eating daily, it could be an issue. The longer the beardie goes without using the bathroom, the more serious the problem.
Why does my bearded dragon keep digging a hole?
Bearded Dragon Digging. Digging is when your bearded dragon will begin digging a hole in his or her tank. One reason bearded dragons can be digging is because they are trying to create a small basking area that is more comfortable. Bearded dragons can sometimes do strange things, but this can sometimes be the reason.
When does a bearded dragon go into hiding?
Bearded dragons are very sensitive to changes, and can feel even slight changes. This will cause them to start brumating. Brumation often lasts for few weeks to few months, and can start in mid-late autumn. During brumation, your bearded dragon won’t be fully asleep, but will be mostly laying down, hiding and sleeping.
What’s the best way to care for bearded dragons?
The best way to reduce the risk of impaction is to remove any small particle substrate and use reptile carpet liners, newspaper, or ceramic tiles as substrate. It is never recommended to use small, loose particle substrates with baby bearded dragons. Metabolic Bone Disease is a debilitating skeletal disease common with captive bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons and other reptile pets develop Metabolic bone disease (MBD) if they do not get enough calcium in their diet or through natural/artificial lighting. MBD can be also caused by over supplementation with phosphorus (ratio of calcium : phosphorus in bearded dragon’s diet is crucial and should be 2:1-2.5:1).
Is it OK to use loose particle substrates with baby bearded dragons?
It is never recommended to use small, loose particle substrates with baby bearded dragons. Metabolic Bone Disease is a debilitating skeletal disease common with captive bearded dragons. This disease is a breakdown of the skeleton system due to the lack of calcium absorption in the bones.
Why did my baby bearded dragon die quickly?
If you have got a baby bearded dragon and it died very quickly, it could possibly be a parasitic infection. This is why getting a slightly older bearded dragon at least will give you a better chance of its survival. Even if this sounds harsh, weak and sick baby bearded dragons mostly don’t make it, even with intensive care.
What happens when you bathe a bearded dragon?
A dying bearded dragon will be shaking violently, getting bloated and becoming lethargic. This is why you must always make sure that water level in a water dish (if you have it) is below your dragon’s ankles. Baby dragons especially can fall in a dish and aspirate water or even drown. Same goes when you are bathing your dragon.
