To determine if your bearded dragon is healthy, you should look for the following signs:
1. Physical Appearance – A healthy bearded dragon should have a flat and firm body and their scales should be smooth and well-aligned. Also, the color of their scales should be vibrant and not dulls.
2. Appetite – A healthy bearded dragon should have a good appetite. They should be eating regularly and more often than not, be active and interested in food when it is presented to them.
3. Behavior – A healthy bearded dragon should not be sluggish and lethargic. They should be active and interested in their surroundings. They should also be alert and interactive with their owners.
4. Weight – Bearded dragons can lose weight easily, so it is important to monitor your dragons weight regularly. You should also weigh them once a month to see if they are within a healthy weight range.
5. Poop and Urates – A healthy bearded dragon should be producing regular and consistent poops with healthy urates. You should also be on the lookout for any signs of parasites in their poop or urinates, which can indicate an underlying health issue.
6. Hydration – A healthy bearded dragon should be well-hydrated and able to produce clear urates at least once a day. They should also have a good appetite for their water and be drinking regularly.
By monitoring your bearded dragons appearance and behavior, as well as paying attention to their diet and weight, you can easily tell if your dragon is healthy. If you notice any of the above signs not being met, it is best to take your dragon to a vet for a check-up.
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What do sick bearded dragons look like?
A sick bearded dragon can display many signs, physical and behavioral, which indicate illness. Physically, a sick bearded dragon may have a decrease in appetite and lack of energy, weight loss, lack of coordination or balance, diarrhoea, cloudy or bulging eyes, breathing difficulties, excessive mucus around the nose and mouth, and changes in their skin such as discoloration, swelling, sunken scales, and red patches.
Behaviorally, a sick bearded dragon may display signs such as lethargy, sleeping more than usual, lack of interest in activities it usually enjoys, aggressiveness, and difficulty basking, which is necessary for absorbing warmth and helping digestion.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take your bearded dragon for a vet visit, as early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further health complications.
What are common bearded dragon illnesses?
Bearded dragons are generally an incredibly hardy species of lizard, but they are still capable of picking up illnesses. The most common illnesses in bearded dragons include respiratory infections, parasites, and Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
Respiratory infections can be caused by a variety of conditions and can often require a visit to the vet for antibiotics. Common signs include wheezing, runny eyes, labored breathing, and a bluish discoloration of the tongue and limbs.
Internal parasites, such as pinworms, can also be contracted by bearded dragons, and may cause weight loss, poor appetite, and runny feces. External parasites such as mites can also cause similar symptoms, and may appear as black or red spots on your bearded dragon’s skin.
Metabolic Bone Disease is a common health condition that can occur in reptiles, which can be caused by nutritional deficiencies or an improper lighting or heating setup. Common signs of MBD include a darkened or rubbery physique, lack of hunger, spinal kinks or curvature, and swollen digits.
Early detection of any of these illnesses is key! Signs of illness can often be extremely subtle in lizards, so it’s best to get your dragon checked out if you notice any changes in behavior or appearance.
An experienced reptile veterinarian can help diagnose and treat your beardie if they do become ill.
What does lethargy look like in bearded dragons?
Lethargy in bearded dragons can manifest in a variety of ways. Common physical signs of lethargy include a lack of eating, poor appetite, and weight loss. A lethargic bearded dragon may also have their eyes closed more often and may hide in their shelters more than usual.
They may also appear more inactive, spending more time sleeping and less time walking around. Other behavioral signs to watch out for include a decrease in defecation and urination, little to no interest in food, and a lack of desire to interact with their handler.
Slower metabolisms can also be a sign of lethargy, as bearded dragons may spend more time trying to stay warm than basking in the heat lamp. Generally, a lethargic bearded dragon may seem to move slower, have less energy, and be less responsive than normal.
Ifany of these signs are noticed, it’s important to take the dragon to a vet for a thorough examination.
What are the signs of coccidia in bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons infected with coccidia commonly exhibit signs such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, abdominal swelling and/or bloating, reduced activity level, dehydration, and possibly anemia.
Diarrhea caused by coccidia can range from being mild and intermittent to being severe, with blood and/or mucus present in the stool. In addition to the above signs, fecal floatation tests done by a veterinarian can help detect the presence of coccidia oocysts, which are their infective stages, in a bearded dragon’s stool sample.
If you suspect your bearded dragon is infected with coccidia, it is important to take them to the vet so they can get the proper diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care.
When should I take my bearded dragon to the vet?
It’s important to regularly monitor your bearded dragon for any signs of illness or injury and to take them to a qualified reptile veterinarian for an annual check-up. Specific signs of illness that should prompt a vet visit include: excessive scratching or twitching, acting sluggish or listless, not eating or drinking, changes in color, discharges from the nose or mouth, weight loss, bulges or swellings, difficulty shedding, or noticeable lumps or sores.
Even if you don’t see any of these symptoms, it’s still important to take your bearded dragon to the vet once a year for a physical exam to check for any health issues that may be hard to detect without the help of a professional.
Additionally, if an injury occurs, a vet visit is necessary as well. A reptile veterinarian can help diagnose, treat, and manage any potential health issues and prevent them from becoming more serious.
What should you not do to your bearded dragon?
It is important to remember that bearded dragons need special care and treatment, and there are some things you should not do to your bearded dragon.
First and foremost, it is important to avoid prolonged contact with your bearded dragon, as this can stress them out and cause them to become aggressive. They also should not be handled too frequently as this can be very stressful for them.
In addition, it is important to not put them in large tanks or enclosures that are overcrowded. This can be unsafe and could lead to injury, as they could become entangled in the tank or the other items inside.
Bearded dragons also require proper ventilation, so be sure to keep the enclosure well-ventilated and to not overcrowd the enclosure.
Bearded dragons should also not be subjected to temperatures lower than 85°F, as their metabolic processes and digestion rely on their internal temperature. Furthermore, you should never bathe a bearded dragon in cold water, but instead, provide them with a lukewarm bath to keep their skin hydrated.
It is also important to not forget to provide your beardie with UVB lighting, as this is essential for their calcium metabolism and preventing metabolic bone disease. Additionally, make sure to provide your beardie with the necessary nutrition, as diets that are not balanced can result in health issues and deficiencies.
Finally, you should never attempt to trim your bearded dragon’s claws, as this can cause them a great deal of discomfort and even pain. You must be very careful when handling your dragon and should not tug, pull, or pinch their skin or tail, as this can cause them harm and distress.
