If your bearded dragon is not acting like themselves, it can cause panic. Here’s how to tell if your bearded dragon is sick or unhealthy.
Common Signs of Sick Bearded Dragons
If your bearded dragon isn’t eating, there could be several reasons. Reason #2: Inadequate Tank Temps. If the tank isn’t hot enough or is too hot, this can lead to a lack of appetite. Bearded dragons need heat for proper metabolism. In winter, cooler temps can cause brumation and decreased appetite. Buyer’s Tip: Use an accurate thermometer, not cheap stick-on ones.
Reason #3: Improper UVB Setup. A lack of UVB exposure can cause your dragon to refuse to eat. Use the right UVB bulb. If the above check out, there could still be other factors. Adjust feeding strategy to ensure your dragon gets nutrients. Your Bearded Dragon Has Diarrhea. You can learn about your dragon’s health by examining their poop. Diarrhea often indicates parasites. All bearded dragons have some parasites, but it becomes a problem when the count is high. Red or orangeish urates confirm parasites. Pro Tip: Take your dragon to the vet for antibiotics if you suspect a high parasite count. Collect a stool sample and keep it in the fridge. Your Bearded Dragon is Not Moving Or is Acting Lethargic. This could be due to several things. First, inadequate tank temperatures could be the least serious issue.When bearded dragons don’t get enough heat, their metabolisms slow down, resulting in little energy or appetite. If your bearded dragon is not moving much, it’s likely their cage is too cool. Providing the proper temperature gradient in their vivarium is essential for their happiness and health.
If you determine that the temperatures are correct, your bearded dragon’s lethargy could be a sign of brumation. Fortunately, if you think your bearded dragon is getting ready to brumate, there are steps you can take to ensure a successful brumation. Your Bearded Dragon’s Eyes Are Sunken: Electrolyte-rich drinks like Powerade and Pedialyte are great for dehydrated and sick reptiles. You can mix them with water in a 1:1 ratio for a bath. By examining your bearded dragon’s eyes, you can tell a lot about their overall health. If your bearded dragon has sunken eyes, it could be due to dehydration. Try coaxing them to drink fresh water by placing a bowl in their tank. If that doesn’t work, offer water through a dropper. You can also mix Powerade or Pedialyte with water in a 1:1 ratio to give them electrolytes. Another way to tell if your bearded dragon is dehydrated is to gently pinch their skin. If it doesn’t settle back into place immediately after release, they may need water. Your Bearded Dragon’s Skin is Wrinkly: Many bearded dragons have wrinkles because their skin doesn’t stretch as much as other animals. If your dragon’s tail is a good size and their fat pads aren’t indented, a little wrinkly skin is probably nothing to worry about. However, if the tail is scrawny and the fat pads are indented, wrinkly skin could be a sign of being underweight. In this case, increase protein in their diet and give them Repta + Boost to promote appetite. If your bearded dragon isn’t underweight but still has wrinkly skin, it could mean they’re dehydrated. Follow the recommendations under ‘Sunken Eyes’ to hydrate them. Your Bearded Dragon is Demonstrating Jerky Movements: If your bearded dragon is shaking or showing jerky body movements, they may have a calcium deficiency, which can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease. If caught early, MBD can be reversed and serious complications can be avoided.Dragons can develop a calcium deficiency due to insufficient UVB exposure or inadequate calcium intake.
Bearded dragons may exhibit rotting or discolored skin, particularly if their scales appear more yellow than usual. This could be due to several issues, including tail rot, which can lead to tail loss or death in severe cases.
If the skin shows signs of rotting with inflamed and swollen wounds, it could be Yellow Fungus, an aggressive fungal infection affecting both superficial and deep tissues. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial in such cases.
If tail rot or Yellow Fungus is ruled out, the issue might be bruising or a difficult shedding process. To aid healing, apply a few drops of betadine iodine to a damp cotton pad on the affected areas daily, followed by antibacterial cream. Alternatively, apply raw unpasteurized honey once a day.
If there is no improvement in the rot or wound within three days, consult a vet, as it may indicate a more serious condition requiring antibiotics.
Male bearded dragons may also experience issues around their reproductive organs, such as inflammation, clogged pores, or open wounds.
Pet owners often fear for their pet’s well-being when they appear unwell, especially as they age. If you suspect your bearded dragon is dying, look for these common signs:
– The bearded dragon looks pale
– The bearded dragon is cold to the touch
– The bearded dragon has stopped eating (including treats)
– The bearded dragon has zero energy
– The bearded dragon has stopped basking
If your bearded dragon is dying of old age or natural causes, ensure their comfort. If they are in pain, consider euthanasia to end their suffering and provide closure.
Wrapping Up: So, there you have it! I hope by now you have a better understanding of how to tell if your bearded dragon is sick. Pro Tip: It’s important to note that with bearded dragons, things can progress quickly and lead to irreversible consequences. So, your best bet at helping your pet overcome any illness, fungus, or diseases is early detection. Because of this, if your bearded dragon doesn’t improve in their condition after a couple days, please just take them to the vet.
A lot of the time the vet is your best bet and although the visit might be expensive, you can always ask your vet about doing monthly payments. In any case, you need to make sure if your small patient may be contagious, like with the fatal stargazing. If you think your bearded dragon is seriously sick, I recommend you schedule an appointment with a professional herp vet ASAP. In the meantime, you should highly consider brushing up on all things bearded dragon diseases. I’m Stacey, the owner of this website and lifelong reptile lover, caretaker, and educator. Here you will find everything from information on how to care for reptiles, to even how to give your reptiles the best fighting chances against a range of common reptile diseases and illnesses, and everything in between!
