6 Widespread Bearded Dragon Illnesses (Well being Points)

Bearded dragons are typically hardy reptiles, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t ailments that generally happen in these reptiles. Husbandry points are extraordinarily widespread in reptile care as a result of many individuals aren’t absolutely educated on the wants of animals earlier than bringing them house.

Though hardy, bearded dragons are reptiles, which implies they’ve very particular necessities with regards to issues like lighting, heating, food regimen, and humidity. Understanding these necessities can usually assist forestall the most typical problems in bearded dragons.

The 6 Bearded Dragon Illnesses

1. Metabolic Bone Dysfunction

Usually thought of to be the most typical dysfunction in captive bearded dragons, MBD¹ is a critical concern that’s often related to poor husbandry. MBD can also be referred to as dietary secondary hyperparathyroidism, which makes it clear that this dysfunction is often related to dietary points.

Younger beardies appear to develop this dysfunction extra generally than grownup beardies do. Diets excessive in phosphorus and low in calcium or vitamin D3 result in MBD. Low vitamin D3 ranges can happen when a bearded dragon’s food regimen lacks sufficient vitamin D3 or once they lack acceptable ranges of UV-B lighting of their setting.

Beardies with MBD can exhibit a number of indicators of the dysfunction, together with swelling of the decrease jaw, softening of the bones of the face and jaw, and swelling of the again legs and toes. Weak spot and trembling of the legs additionally happen. Fractures of bones all through the physique can happen with MBD. Whereas the causes of MBD can often be mounted, the harm accomplished by the dysfunction usually can’t be reversed.

2. Mouth Rot

Also referred to as infectious stomatitis¹, mouth rot is a bacterial an infection that happens within the mouth. It could actually additionally affect the jawbone, resulting in vital swelling and discomfort.

Indicators of mouth rot embrace swelling of the gums, loosening of the enamel, and petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages). Some beardies develop thick mucus within the mouth that takes on a consistency just like cottage cheese. It’s not unusual for bearded dragons with mouth rot to expertise inappetence.

This an infection isn’t as widespread in bearded dragons as it’s in lots of different lizards, however it’s nonetheless a comparatively widespread drawback. Mouth rot is treatable with antibiotics from a veterinarian.

3. Higher Respiratory An infection

The first reason for URI in bearded dragons¹ is inappropriate husbandry. Excessive ranges of humidity, low temperatures, and an total inappropriate enclosure can result in these infections in beardies. You might even see extra mucus across the mouth and nostril, however this mucus received’t be as thick because the mucus seen with mouth rot. Gaping of the mouth, puffing of the throat and physique, and normal issue respiration are all indicators of a URI.

Whereas URI may be handled with medicines from a veterinarian, it’s extraordinarily essential that you just reassess the husbandry and enclosure setup in your beardie to make sure you get every thing arrange appropriately to maintain your beardie wholesome.

4. Adenovirus

Adenovirus¹ is a viral an infection that mostly impacts younger bearded dragons, however it may additionally happen in grownup beardies. Additionally it is known as “losing illness”.

This virus results in infections inside the digestive tract, hepatitis, and kidney illness. Adenovirus can result in acute and persistent infections, so some beardies could also be sick for brief intervals and die shortly resulting from weak point, not consuming, and different damaging results of the an infection. Others might endure from a extra persistent model of adenovirus.

Power adenovirus results in failure to thrive, weak point, paralysis, and inappetence at random. Different indicators of adenovirus embrace stargazing, seizures, and shaking of the limbs.

Acute and persistent adenovirus each are more likely to result in loss of life. Adenovirus is contagious, so correct hygiene between reptiles is critical to stop the unfold. There is no such thing as a remedy for this an infection, however there are some therapies which will assist handle the illness. Wonderful husbandry will help handle this illness as nicely.

5. Impaction

Impaction is when the digestive tract turns into blocked. This mostly happens when a bearded dragon consumes inappropriate issues, like substrate, tank décor, and different non-food gadgets. This may additionally happen in diets excessive in chitin, which comes from issues like mealworms and crickets, and poor hydration. Inappropriate enclosure temperatures can result in impaction as a result of bearded dragons can solely digest meals inside a selected temperature vary.

Bettering hydration, food regimen, and total husbandry and tank setup can all assist to stop and deal with impactions. Heat baths will help impactions transfer by the digestive tract, however a vet go to could also be wanted to deal with an impaction.

6. Prolapse

Prolapse happens when the internal a part of the cloacal vent is pushed outdoors of the physique. That is often straightforward to find out as a result of there might be a purple protrusion from the cloacal vent. A prolapse can also be usually accompanied by lethargy and black bearding. Prolapses generally happen with extreme impaction resulting from a bearded dragon straining to go an impaction. This situation requires speedy veterinary remedy to stop tissue loss of life and long-term harm.

The Significance of Husbandry

All pets have very particular care wants, however reptiles have a few of the most advanced care wants of all pets. There are such a lot of issues to contemplate with reptiles, together with temperature, lighting, substrate, hides, humidity, and food regimen. With out correct husbandry, a wide range of points can come up in reptiles like bearded dragons. With correct husbandry, they will reside lengthy, wholesome lives resulting from their normal hardiness, however beardies can die at a really younger age if they aren’t cared for appropriately.

There are a ton of nice sources to search out the correct husbandry necessities of bearded dragons, however a reptile vet or skilled keeper goes to be the perfect useful resource when figuring out find out how to present an acceptable setting in your bearded dragon.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons make nice pets, and they’re a fantastic possibility as a pet for first-time reptile keepers. That doesn’t imply that they will survive with out correct care, although. These animals have care wants that can hold them wholesome and supply them with lengthy lives.

Sadly, many individuals go into retaining bearded dragons with out absolutely understanding their wants. It’s important to the long-term survival of your bearded dragon that you’re conscious of correct care to maintain them wholesome.

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