Health Concerns
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| Spike's Eye Infection - "Bloodhound Eyes" |
Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are
fragile and require close attention. Improper lighting, temperature, and diet,
are a few causes for illness in bearded dragons. Before purchasing a bearded
dragon, or any reptile, be sure there is a veterinarian near you that treats
reptiles.
Bearded dragons are normally active and curious. If your
bearded dragon is becoming lethargic, they may have a vitamin deficiency or could
be dehydrated. Offer your bearded dragon water directly from a eye dropper or
small bottle and see if they perk up after drinking.
If your bearded dragon has droopy eyelids (this is commonly
compared to a bloodhound's eyelids), they may have parasites, or an eye or kidney
infection. If your bearded dragon has "bloodhound" eyes, seek help
from a veterinarian immediately.
Around the time of shedding, bearded dragons will puff their
eyes out to loosen the skin around their eyes. Bearded dragons will normally
keep their eyes puffed out for only a few seconds. If your bearded dragon has
its eyes frequently or constantly puffed out, they may have an eye infection or
an overdose of vitamin A.
When a large piece of food or substrate is stuck in the
digestive tract of your bearded dragon, they will become impacted. Impaction prohibits
a bearded dragon from making regular bowel movements. If a bearded dragon is
impacted, they will become lethargic, drag their legs, and most obviously lack the
ability to defecate. Using sand, bark, or other large substrates as flooring in
your bearded dragon's habitat puts them at risk for impaction if these
dangerous materials are swallowed. Impaction is deadly if not treated quickly.
Bearded dragons may experience diarrhea from eating bad food
or being stressed out. Diarrhea in a bearded dragon should not last for more
than a day or two; frequent and prolonged diarrhea may be caused by parasites.
Bearded dragons are prone to metabolic bone disease, which
occurs when they do not receive enough calcium or vitamin D3. Calcium is
provided through their diet by dusting their insects with calcium powder. The
form of vitamin D3 a bearded dragon needs for proper bone development is
absorbed from UVB rays; their UVB bulb should be replaced on a 6 month basis
to ensure they are getting enough D3.
Sources - Bearded Dragon Health, Illness, & Disease. (n.d.). Symptoms. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://www.thebeardeddragon.org/bearded-dragon-health.php
- Diseases. (n.d.). Care of Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://beardeddragoncaresheet.weebly.com/diseases.html
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