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Bearded Dragons, one of the most popular pets in pet stores, are a fun and exciting exotic pet. However, there are a few key health issues that every bearded dragon should be aware of including respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, lead poisoning and intestinal parasites.
The first few days with a new baby bearded dragon can be confusing for the owner. New parents who aren’t prepared for this will find a frantic baby dragon and unsure what to do. In this article we will discuss common health issues of bearded dragons as babies, juveniles and adults.
Common Health Issues in Bearded Dragons
Respiratory infection
The respiratory infection in bearded dragons is known as pneumonia. The condition typically occurs in younger bearded dragons that are still developing, and it is caused by the inhalation of bacteria into the lungs. This can be fatal because it can either infect other organs once inside or cause the lungs to burst. Symptoms include lethargy, difficulty breathing, wheezing or rattling noises when breathing and fever or high body temperature. Young dragons should be treated with antibiotics if they are struggling to breathe well–even if they’re overweight! Again, these conditions could result in death due to lung damage, but it may also result in pneumonia which may cause other complications like blood clots (collecting air bubbles that prevent blood flow), heart failure or even death.
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The respiratory infection in bearded dragons is known as pneumonia. The condition typically occurs in younger bearded dragons that are still developing, and it is caused by the inhalation of bacteria into the lungs. This can be fatal because it can either infect other organs once inside or cause the lungs to burst. Symptoms include lethargy, difficulty breathing, wheezing or rattling noises when breathing and fever or high body temperature. Young dragons should be treated with antibiotics if they are struggling to breathe well.
Again, these conditions could result in death due to lung damage, but it may also result in pneumonia which may cause other complications like blood clots (collecting air bubbles that prevent blood flow), heart failure or even death.
Metabolic bone disease
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common disorder in bearded dragons that causes their bones to become thin and fragile. Signs include weight loss, limb deformations and an inability to use the limbs. Young dragons that are still growing and shedding may experience MBD as their bones aren’t strong enough to support their own weight, which is why this condition is often found in juvenile bearded dragons. It occurs when there is not enough calcium or phosphorus in the body for absorption for the bones due to improper diet. However, this isn’t a life-threatening condition in most cases and can be cured when the dragon is on a proper diet. If it occurs in adult dragons, it may be a sign of other health issues that need attention.
Infectious stomatitis (mouth rot)
Mouth rot is not as common in beardies as other reptiles such as iguanas. It is thought to be as a result of poor diet, obesity or stress. Signs include a foul odor coming from the mouth, loss of appetite and tooth abnormalities. This can be treated with antibiotics if it has already started but it may also be the result of other conditions such as a metabolic bone disease or parasites.
Parasites
Parasites are in common in the gastrointestinal tract of pet bearded dragons. The most common parasite seen in bearded dragons are pinworm. The pinworm is simply a small parasitic worm that can be seen in the feces of bearded dragons. Another common parasite is red mites which are also seen in the feces, but they many times cannot be seen without a microscope. If you see small granules or red areas on your bearded dragon, this may be an indication that there is some kind of parasite.
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Other parasites to be on the look out for are mites and ticks. Ticks, often called ticks, burrow into the skin of bearded dragons and lay their eggs. Baby ticks resemble pepper which is why many people don’t even realize that there is something wrong with their bearded dragon. Mites are also small little bugs that live under scales and skin folds of bearded dragons. These little mites can cause irritation, scales falling off and sometimes a foul smell from itching or rotting scales.
The most common symptoms of parasites include weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration and potentially death if left unattended.
Adenovirus
In young bearded dragons, adenovirus infection is highly prevalent, but it can harm dragons of any age. As a result, it frequently results in fatalities due to hepatitis and gastrointestinal illness. Animals infected with the disease are feeble, do not feed, and frequently die suddenly. There are many who have a long-term infection that causes them to be weak, paralyzed, and in some cases, unable to eat. They, too, will perish in the end.
How to tell if my bearded dragon is sick?
Beaded dragons may have symptoms that are unique to a certain disease or may be non-specific and include anorexia (loss of appetite), depression, and lethargy that are common in a wide range of illnesses. If you notice a change in your pet’s behavior that is out of the ordinary, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What to Do If My Bearded Dragon Is Sick?
If it is determined your bearded dragon is sick, the best ting you can do is consult your vet. They will be able to run the necessary tests to identify if it is a serious illness that may need treatment.
Treatment for some of the common bearded dragon health issues are listed below.
Treatment for bearded dragons with metabolic bone disease typically includes oral calcium supplementation, fluids, nutritional assistance, injections of vitamin D3, and calcitonin (a medication that helps bearded dragons’ bones re-deposit calcium). It’s also necessary to make dietary adjustments and supply full spectrum illumination (including UV-B, which is necessary for lizards to generate vitamin D3 in their skin).
If you have an infectious stomatitis (mouth rot), you’ll likely need antibiotic injections as well as antiseptic mouthwashes to treat it. Supplemental nutrition may also be necessary for dragons that are too painful to consume.
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Oral and injectable deworming treatments are available for the treatment of intestinal parasite infections. It is determined by the type of parasite found on microscopic analysis of the feces. Depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation, mites and ticks can be treated either topically or with oral or injectable anti-parasitic drugs. Keeping the environment free of parasites after treatment necessitates thorough cleaning, disinfection, and chemical treatment.
In conclusion, it is important you know the common health issues which may occur with bearded dragons and watch out for any changes in activity and/or appearance. If you notice any of the symptoms below that are not normal, contact your vet immediately.
What common bearded dragon health issues have you noticed? Let us know in the comments below.
