Bearded dragons are well-known for being particularly hardy lizards – as long as they are properly looked after and cared for, they can be expected to live long and healthy lives. This is one of the many reasons they are considered to be among the best pet reptiles, and makes them especially popular with beginners.
But like all animals, they can still suffer from a variety of diseases and other health complications. If you want to ensure a healthy and comfortable pet, it's important to be aware of this and have a basic understanding of the challenges you and your beardie may face.
There are many signals of potential health issues of a bearded dragon, and it's pretty easy to misinterpret or be overwhelmed by them. Fortunately, there are also plenty of resources and tips out there to help you stay on top of your dragon's health! This article aims to give you a quick and easy guide to the five most common signs a bearded dragon may be sick
1. Bathroom Problems
If your bearded dragon isn't able to properly expel their waste this should raise red flags that their health isn't at 100%.
There are two categories of bathroom problems that you should look out for:
Not Pooping
One of the most common and identifiable signs that something is wrong is when your pet isn't pooping normally.
Generally speaking, a young bearded dragon should poop around 1 to 3 times a day while an adult dragon can be expected to poop anywhere from once a day to once every several days.
However, if you notice your dragon hasn't relieved themselves in over a week then it should be a cause for concern. This could be a sign of numerous different health complications, so be sure to do your research and keep monitoring your beardie's health!
Abnormal Poop
Another quick and easy indicator of a dragon's health is their poop itself. Healthy poop should be a solid tube shape, colored brown and white (and sometimes green).
Feces that is a different color, texture, or consistency than normal can be a signal of illness or other health issues. Be extra wary of poop that is very runny, noticeably bloody, or black in color, as these are often signs of something much more severe.
2. Abnormal Behavior
Another issue you need to look out for in your beardie is any behavior that you wouldn't consider normal.
A couple of big ones to look out for include:
Aggression
Notable aggression from a bearded dragon – such as hissing, puffing, and biting – can indicate that they are uncomfortable. While this behavior can also be brought on by an unpleasant environment or poorly-socialized lizard, beardies are generally very docile and rarely show this kind of behavior.
If your dragon has already been tamed and there have not been any noticeable changes in their environment lately, then sudden aggression is very likely a sign of illness.
Lethargy
One of the easiest signs to misinterpret, there are numerous reasons a bearded dragon may be lethargic, and not all are a cause for concern. Brumation, after-meal laziness, low temperatures, and general tiredness are normal reasons for a reptile to appear less active.
However, if this behavior continues for more than several days, and isn't a case of brumation (which should occur during late fall/autumn and throughout winter), then your dragon may not be feeling all too well.
Almost all health issues can cause some form of lethargy, from infections and parasites to inadequate diet or impaction – so make sure to pay attention to your dragon's level of activity, even when they're behaving normally.
Not Eating
Like most animals, bearded dragons love to eat! This also means that a noticeable lack of appetite may point to something being wrong. Refusal to eat is one of the most common signs of stress in bearded dragons, which may be caused by a number of factors including illness, inadequate nutrition, an uncomfortable diet, and so on.
3. Weight Change
Fluctuations in weight occur often in sick bearded dragons.
Here are some to look out for.
Weight Loss
Like with any animal, sudden unexplained weight loss is never good.
If your dragon has stopped eating and is now losing weight, there are a number of potential reasons why – some normal and some not. They may be preparing for brumation, or be very stressed. Make sure to keep an eye on their behavior and weight, and be ready to take action if things take a turn for the worse.
If they seem to be eating just fine and are rapidly becoming thinner and bonier, then something is definitely amiss. Common causes of this are severe dehydration and parasitic infection, so contact a vet immediately if this occurs.
Bloat/Swelling
On the other end of things, a bearded dragon that has suddenly become noticeably bloated or swollen looking isn't good either.
It should be noted that dragons have a few behaviors that can make them look bigger, such as flattening themselves out to soak up more light while basking, or puffing up as a warning when they feel threatened.
However, if they appear to stay bloated for a long period of time, it may be wise to seek veterinary advice. Sudden bloated bellies could mean impaction or egg-binding (eggs stuck in a female's body), both very dangerous and potentially deadly conditions that require an immediate visit to the vet.
Noticeable swelling of different parts of the body can also be a good indicator of various health conditions, including injury, infection, and nutrient deficiency.
4. Changes in Body Condition
Outside of physical changes to your bearded dragon, there are also a couple of visual changes you may notice that indicate sickness including:
Surface-Level Issues
Changes in the skin are fortunately quite easy to see most of the time. Open wounds, sores, lesions, and odd bumps and swelling tend to be fairly obvious and should definitely be paid attention to if noticed on your dragon.
Discoloration
Discoloration is another highly visible red flag. Bearded dragons can change the color and patterns of their skin to communicate, and they primarily show stress and discomfort via noticeable blackening of their beard. Patches of black may also be signals of this in some cases.
Strange Spots
Newly appearing spots are also a potential cause for concern. While these can result from simple and harmless situations like scale freckles or dirt, they can also be signs of infection and/or injury. If these spots are yellow, red, or black in color, and appear to be spreading across the skin, then it may be time for a checkup.
5. Trouble Keeping Things In
Lastly, if your beardie has problems with their respiratory issues or keeping substances in, make sure you look into it.
Issues Breathing
Though fairly rare, bearded dragons are susceptible to respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, especially when they are stressed, in uncomfortable environmental conditions, poorly nourished, or have caught an infectious disease.
A bearded dragon's breathing should be quiet and regular, so common signs of an issue are audible gasping breathes, coughing and wheezing, and rapid, shallow, or open-mouthed breathing.
Discharge
Leaking fluids from the eyes, ears, nose and mouth is more often than not a sign of irritation and/or infection. They can take the form of mucus, crusty buildup, foam and bubbles, or just regular sneezing, so make sure to monitor your dragon closely if these symptoms appear.
Vomiting
While it's probably expected, regular vomiting is not normal and likely is a health concern. While beardies may occasionally vomit if they eat too much too fast or if something is wrong with their food, it becomes an issue if done repeatedly – especially if it's preventing your lizard from properly feeding and drinking. This could be a sign of anything from infection to gastrointestinal issues, both of which may require a visit to the vet.
Summary
Despite their hardiness, it's important to know what health issues your bearded dragon may be at risk of, and have an idea of how to identify the most common signs of sickness in these lizards. There are many traits and behaviors that you can use to gauge your pet's health, including:
1. Bathroom Problems
- Not pooping
- Abnormal poop (runny, bloody, black in color)
2. Abnormal Behavior
- Aggression
- Extending lethargy (when not a result of brumation)
- Not eating
3. Weight Change
- Rapid weight loss
- Persistent bloat and/or swelling
4. Changes in Body Condition
- Changes in the skin (wounds, lesions, sores and odd bumps)
- Discoloration
- Strange and Sudden Spots on Skin (yellow, red, and black especially)
5. Trouble Keeping Things In
- Breathing difficulties (coughing, wheezing, quick shallow breaths, etc.)
- Discharge from eyes, ears, nose and/or mouth
- Vomiting
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Our Expert
Nigel is a zoologist with over 10 years of experience keeping and writing about pet reptiles. He has kept many reptile species including Leopard Geckos and Ball Pythons and has had hundreds of encounters with wild species. His goal is to provide trustworthy and comprehensive advice to anyone who may encounter wild or pet reptiles.
I'm Nigel, a zoologist with over 10 years of hands-on experience in keeping and studying reptiles, particularly specializing in pet reptiles. My expertise extends to various species, including Leopard Geckos and Ball Pythons, and I've had extensive encounters with reptiles in their natural habitats. My passion for reptiles has driven me to share comprehensive and trustworthy advice to help both novice and experienced reptile enthusiasts.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article about bearded dragon health:
1. Bathroom Problems:
-
Not Pooping:
- Normal frequency: Young dragons poop 1 to 3 times a day; adults poop once a day to once every several days.
- Lack of poop for over a week is a concern, signaling potential health complications.
-
Abnormal Poop:
- Healthy poop is a solid tube, brown and white (sometimes green).
- Different color, texture, or consistency indicates illness, with runny, bloody, or black poop being severe signs.
2. Abnormal Behavior:
-
Aggression:
- Unusual aggression (hissing, puffing, biting) may indicate discomfort or illness.
- Sudden aggression in a previously tame dragon, without environmental changes, suggests potential illness.
-
Lethargy:
- Normal reasons: Brumation, after-meal laziness, low temperatures, and tiredness.
- Prolonged lethargy, not linked to brumation, may indicate various health issues, requiring attention.
-
Not Eating:
- Refusal to eat is a common sign of stress, caused by illness, inadequate nutrition, or an uncomfortable diet.
3. Weight Change:
-
Weight Loss:
- Sudden unexplained weight loss is a concern.
- Rapid weight loss with proper eating behavior may indicate severe issues like dehydration or parasitic infection.
-
Bloat/Swelling:
- Sudden bloating or swelling may signal impaction or egg-binding, requiring immediate veterinary attention.
4. Changes in Body Condition:
-
Surface-Level Issues:
- Visible signs: Open wounds, sores, lesions, bumps, and swelling.
- Any surface abnormalities should be closely monitored, as they can indicate health problems.
-
Discoloration:
- Stress and discomfort are communicated through color changes, primarily blackening of the beard.
- Yellow, red, or black spots spreading on the skin may indicate infection or injury.
5. Trouble Keeping Things In:
-
Issues Breathing:
- Respiratory issues (gasping breaths, coughing, wheezing) are rare but serious, often linked to stress or infections.
-
Discharge:
- Fluid leakage (mucus, crust, foam) from eyes, ears, nose, or mouth indicates irritation or infection.
-
Vomiting:
- Regular vomiting is not normal and may signal infection or gastrointestinal issues, requiring veterinary attention.
In summary, being aware of these signs and symptoms is crucial for maintaining the health of your bearded dragon. Regular monitoring and prompt veterinary care can ensure a long and healthy life for your beloved reptile.
