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Bearded Dragon Health Issues

April 16, 2021


A bearded dragon

Common Bearded Dragon Health Issues

Before making the leap into owning a bearded dragon, it's important to have a full understanding of the possible health issues your new friend could have so that you can be better prepared to care for them. Bearded dragons tend to hide their symptoms when they're feeling sick. This is because in the wild, a noticeably sick bearded dragon is more likely to be picked off by predators than a healthy one. This article will guide you through common bearded dragon health problems, what signs to look for, and what causes them. If you have an emergency, you should call a reptile veterinarian.

 

Metabolic Bone Disease in Bearded Dragons

Metabolic bone disease, oftentimes referred to as “MBD”, is one of the most common diseases found in pet reptiles, especially bearded dragons. This is mostly due to commercial pet stores supplying new owners with inadequate care information. Metabolic bone disease is caused by a lack of calcium, which leads to weak bones. When your bearded dragon’s bones are weak, they’re more prone to fractures. Bearded dragons that have metabolic bone disease will oftentimes have twisted and warped spines. When caught early enough, metabolic bone disease can be reversed, but when left untreated it can become fatal. This is why it is essential to dust your feeders with calcium, and supply your bearded dragon with UVB lighting. 

 

A leopard gecko with Metabolic Bone Disease
A Leopard Gecko with a case of Metabolic Bone Disease

 

Symptoms:

  • Acting lethargic
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness
  • Deformed spine or legs

 

 

Causes:

  • Lack of supplements (such as calcium) in their diet
  • Too low of temperatures
  • Lack of UVB lighting

 

Bearded Dragon Mouth Rot

Infectious stomatitis, commonly called “mouth rot” is a bacterial infection that occurs when a bearded dragon’s immune system has been compromised, which makes them more prone to infections. Essentially, your bearded dragon’s mouth becomes severely inflamed and the tissues in the mouth begin to rot. Thankfully, mouth rot in bearded dragons is uncommon, and when caught soon enough, it is also reversible. Make a habit out of checking your bearded dragon’s mouth during handling sessions to make sure they remain healthy. If you notice your bearded dragon showing signs of mouth rot, immediately make an appointment with an exotic vet. 

 

Symptoms:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Inflamed red gums
  • Excessive saliva
  • Greyish colored areas around the mouth

 

Causes:

  • Nutritional deficiency 
  • Too low temperatures
  • Too high humidity 

 

Impaction in Bearded Dragons

Impaction is another very common health problem with bearded dragons. Thankfully, this health issue is easily preventable with the right husbandry. Impaction is when your bearded dragon experiences blockage in their gut or intestines. Impaction is caused by nutritional deficiency, improper temperatures, and overall poor husbandry. Consuming insects that are too large can also be a cause for impaction, which is why it is important to only feed insects that are as large as the width between your bearded dragon’s eyes. Oftentimes, when a bearded dragon is impacted, the blockage is due to the consumption of substrate. However, if the temperature and humidity in the tank are ideal, consuming small amounts of substrate should not cause blockage. Regardless, when it comes to the safety of your pet, it's always better to be safe than sorry, and because of this, I discourage the use of loose substrates such as soil or sand. Check out my full bearded dragons substrates article to learn more about safe substrate choices for your bearded dragon. 

 

A bearded dragon

 

Symptoms:

  • Constipation
  • Bloated belly
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Acting lethargic

 

Causes:

  • Improper temperatures
  • Dehydration 
  • Consuming insects that are too large
  • Parasites

 

 

Bearded Dragon Tail Rot

Tail rot is when your bearded dragon’s tail turns a darker color and begins to rot away. This is usually due to an infection in the tip of their tail, and if left untreated can cause some serious problems for your bearded dragon, including tail loss and organ failure. You can help prevent tail rot by supplying your bearded dragon with UVB lighting and calcium in their diet. Regularly check to make sure there is no stuck shed on your lizard’s tail or toes, as stuck shed will cut off blood flow. Always thoroughly check over your bearded dragon during handling sessions to make sure they’re looking healthy. When caught early enough, a vet can prescribe a bearded dragon with antibiotics to cure their tail rot. In severe cases, bearded dragons may lose their tails, and occasionally tail rot can lead to death.

 

Symptoms:

  • Tail changing from a normal color to a dark grey or brown
  • Dry texture
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Sudden acts of aggression 
  • Acting lethargic 

 

Causes:

  • Incomplete shedding
  • Lack of UVB
  • Nutritional deficiency 
  • Not cleaning their cage enough
  • Fights with other bearded dragons - Another example of why multiple bearded dragons should NOT be housed together

 

Bearded Dragon Respiratory Infection

A bearded dragon’s natural environment is warm and dry, which is why we do our best to create an environment that has high temperatures and low humidity in captivity. When we fail to provide our bearded dragon’s with the proper temperatures and humidity in captivity, they can become sick. A respiratory infection is caused by too low of temperatures and too high of humidity. In order to help prevent your bearded dragon from getting a respiratory infection you should invest in a hygrometer. Hygrometers are used to measure the humidity level inside of your bearded dragon’s enclosure, so you can monitor the levels and make sure they do not exceed 40%.

 

A bearded dragon hanging out

 

Symptoms:

  • Acting lethargic
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Wheezing or snorting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Weight loss
  • Discharge or bubbles coming from their nose 
  • Open mouth breathing

 

Causes:

  • Improper temperatures
  • Too high of humidity

 

 

Yellow Fungus in Bearded Dragons

Yellow fungus is an extremely contagious fungal infection. This disease can be challenging to catch and treat, as it is a disease that starts internally. Beginning symptoms for yellow fungus disease include lethargic behavior and lack of appetite. If the yellow fungus disease in your bearded dragon continues to go unnoticed the symptoms become more severe, such as discolored yellow or brown patches, open wounds, and sunken eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms in your bearded dragon, contact an exotic vet immediately. Oftentimes yellow fungus is untreatable and fatal, but if caught early enough a vet may be able to prolong your bearded dragon’s life. Poor hygiene is the leading cause for yellow fungus in bearded dragon’s, which is another reason why it is so important to make sure your bearded dragon always has a clean tank. High humidity can play a factor as well, since it will promote the growth of bacteria in the enclosure. Yellow fungus is extremely contagious which is another example of why it is so important to always quarantine new reptiles before allowing them in the same room with any other reptiles you own. I have an in depth article on how to properly quarantine a reptile here if you’d like to learn more.

 

Two baby bearded dragons

 

Symptoms:

  • Acting lethargic 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Yellow or brown spots/patches
  • Open wounds
  • Sunken eyes

 

Causes:

  • Dirty enclosure
  • Your bearded dragon in contact with an infected reptile
  • High humidity


Check out The Ultimate Bearded Dragon Care Sheet to learn how to supply your bearded dragon with the best care!