Common Bearded Dragon Health Issues

Is my bearded dragon sick?

This is a common question many bearded dragon keepers ask when they notice their lizard acting differently. Here I will address some of the most common health issues bearded dragons can experience, the symptoms to look for and what needs to be done to correct the issue.

An important point to remember; Bearded Dragons, as with most reptiles, show little signs of being ill until it is almost too late to do anything about it. Always do your research so you have the contact information for a qualified Herp vet readily available if necessary.

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Untypical Behavior

If your bearded dragon is not shedding, in brumation or in breeding season any one or a combination of any of these signs could indicate a problem and should be addressed immediately.

·        Anorexic

·        Changes in stool such as smelly, runny, bloody or none at all

·        Depressed

·        Discharge from the mouth, eyes or nostrils

·        Favoring a limb, tail or quadrant

·        Hunching (abdomen tucked up)

·        Lack of appetite

·        Lack of usual activity

·        Lethargy

·        Limping, lameness

·        Reluctance to move

·         Restless

·        Slowed reflexes (in the absence of being too cold)

·        Stands holding foot or limb elevated

·        Sunken eyes

·        Unusual aggression to any contact

·        Withdrawal or avoidance behavior, especially in a usually sociable dragon

·        Won't lay down, even in favorite places

See the table below for common health problems that can affect Bearded Dragons

for more information.

Illness/Disease	Symtoms	Description	What Needs to be Done
Coccidia	Smelly Stool Diarrhea	Coccidia is a microscopic parasite that, in very small amounts, in the intestinal tract is normal. The immune system will keep these parasites at bay unless the bearded dragon becomes stressed. If the bearded dragon becomes stressed, the immune system will stop working properly and allow the parasite multiply to unhealthy levels. If left untreated, can cause serious illness or death.	See a qualified Herp vet
Dehydration	Lack of appetite Lethargic Sunken Eyes Wrinkled Skin	In order to process food, the digestive tract needs fluids. If the bearded dragon is dehydrated, it's body may take what fluids there are from other critical systems.	Put the dragon in a bath. It may drink on its own. Try dripping water on it's nose with an eye dropper or needless syringe. (Misting a bearded dragon will not hydrate it.)
Hypothiaminosis	Muscle Twitches Tremors	Lack of vitamin B1. It usually occurs when the dragon is not getting enough fresh greens and vegetables. Often can be misdiagnosed as MBD.	Feed only fresh greens and vegetables. Avoid frozen or canned vegetables.
Hypovitaminosis A	Swelling og the eyes, throat and body. Lack of energy	Overdose of vitamin A from using a multivitamin containing artificial vitamin A.	Replace the Multivitamin  supplement with one that contains only natural vitamin A
Impaction	Lack of defecating Leg Trembles Regurgitation Dragging one or both back legs Not walking properly Slight bump along the spine	Impaction is a condition that is caused when the digestive tract becomes blocked by a solid or semi-solid object. It can be caused by the dragon eating food items that are too large, temperatures too low for proper digestion or the accidental ingestion of substrate.	Bathing in warm water and massaging the stomach may help the dragon pass the impaction. If it doesn't see a qualified Herp vet asap.
Infectious stomatitis (Mouth Rot)	Yellowish/White substance in and around the mouth. Swollen mouth Loose teeth Decreased appetite	Can be caused by many pathogens including bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is typically a response to stress and can be brought on by; inappropriate temperatures, parasites, poor nutrition,  overcrowding, vitamin C deficiency and inappropriate calcium/phosphorous levels.	With mild cases, finding the cause of the stress and correcting it may clear up the stomatitis. In more advanced cases you need to see your Herp vet
Metabolic Bone Disease	Lumps on the legs, vertical column of the back and tail Twitches, ticks, spasms or tremors. Soft or swollen jaw. Jerky movements	MBD is the weakening of bone, caused by an imbalance or deficiency in vitamin D3, calcium and phosphorus.	Moderate cases can be treated with the proper diet, temperatures, UVB and a good calcium supplement. More severe cases require vet treatment that may include calcium and vitamin A/D/E shots administered.
Mites	Will be seen congregating around the eyes, ears, neck folds, armpits and head	Mites are an eight-legged blood sucking organism that can carry and transmit diseases from one reptile to another.	Try bathing the dragon and cleaning its environment but this will take multiple tries and still may not get rid of the mites. It's best to ask your Herp vet for assistance. They may be able to offer a treatment product that is safe for your dragon.
Parasites	Diarrhea weight loss Worms in stool Gaping Listlessness	Healthy bearded dragons naturally have a small amount of parasites in their digestive tract, but stress can cause these parasites to multiply to an unhealthy level. Parasites can also be contracted from eating wild caught insects or passed on from another infected reptile.	Take a stool sample to your Herp vet.
Respiratory Infection	Forced exhalation Gaping Puffing of the Throat Puffed up appearance of the body Lack of appetite Mucus around the mouth or nostrils	Respiratory infections may result from improper temperatures, humidity and poor cage conditions	See a qualified Herp vet immediately.