How to Tell if Your Bearded Dragon is Dying or Not Well
The bearded dragon is one of the very most robust creatures that you will ever come across, but they are still actually very prone to health issues very similar to you. This means that it is going to be very important that you are able to pay attention to any type of sign that may signify that they are suffering from an illness or a certain type of distress. To help you make sure that your bearded dragon is never in any type of danger in regard to their health, here are 14 different signs that will let you know your bearded dragon is unhealthy.
If you are a bearded dragon owner, there are times when you may encounter certain health needs that can be considered special for your pet from time to time. On top of that, there are also going to be times when your unhealthy bearded dragon is going to start showing symptoms and signs of certain conditions without you really knowing that they are actually happening. However, if you allow your bearded dragon to become unhealthy, there is a good chance that you are not going to be able to tell what is really wrong with them. On top of that, you will probably not know what is required to fix them either.
With this being said, it is extremely important that you are able to pay attention to all of the different tell-tale signs that your bearded dragon is going to show you that is amiss, to them being healthy. It is these signs that are going o allow you to know what it is that is wrong, or why it is that your bearded dragon is unhealthy and suffering from conditions that they can suffer from. While there are going to be times when your bearded dragon will shows signs of being happy and healthy because of a simple change to their diet or habitat, there ae also going to be some conditions that will require a much more severe change, such as a visit to your local veterinarian or reptile specialist.
Here are some of the top 14 possible symptoms that will lead you to have a very unhealthy bearded dragon. Which on a side note, if you allow these to happen, you probably should not have a bearded dragon.
#1 – Cloudy or Filmy Eyes
When you have eyes on a healthy bearded dragon, they are going to be clear, alert and bright. If their eyes seem to appear duller, this can be caused by a shedding issue. However, if there is some type of discharge that is coming from their eyes, it can definitely be a concern, meaning that something much more serious is actually to blame, such as some type of serious infection. With this being said, make sure that you always check your potential bearded dragons’ eyes, and if your bearded dragon does show these symptoms, be sure to take them to your local veterinarian as soon as you are able too.
#2 – They Start Acting Lethargic
There are only going to be a few reasons why your bearded dragon will every seem to be acting lazy or lethargic. If you do notice this happening, it can be caused by many different factors, some of which include an insufficient diet, internal parasites, or even improper housing. All of these issues can lead to a lethargic bearded dragon.
Another extremely common reason for a lethargic bearded dragon is going to be because of lower habitat temperatures. You must keep in mind that bearded dragons are reptiles, meaning that they are cold blooded. With that in mind, they are going to require a regular basking temperature that will range from 95 to 110 degrees, being on the cooler side of between 80 and 90 degrees. But when your aquarium does have lower temperatures, it will coincide with a drop in your bearded dragons’ appetite as well.
#3 – Runny, Foul, or Soft Stool
When your bearded dragon has runny or soft stool, it can be a major indicator that they have a potential parasite or some type of inadequate diet. When you feed your bearded dragon lettuce, it can potentially cause them to have a runny type of stool and even malnutrition. When they have a yellow-tinged urate (which is also known as the end of their regular poop that is normally white when they are healthy), it can be a major sign that your bearded dragon is actually dehydrated. If this is the case, you are going to want to allow them unrestricted access to water so that they are able to rehydrate. However, if their urate is a rusty or red-color, it is an indication that they do actually have some type of parasite.
#4 – A Swollen Tail or Other Limbs
When your bearded dragon has a swollen tail or other limbs, it is a great indicator that they have either fractured or broken a tail or limb. While this can come from many different reasons, the most common are going to come from either falls or a skirmish of some kind. Now you must keep in mind that limbs that are going to break off or fracture very easily will more than likely be a sign of some type of Metabolic Bone Disease. This means that there is potentially some type to bacterial infection, that to include tail rot, and/or swelling.
#5 – Your Bearded Dragon Loses Its Appetite
When your bearded dragon has a loss of appetite, it can be caused by many different reasons. These can conclude such things as temperature, all the way to stress. When it comes to our bearded dragon friend, they are unable to tell us what their real problem really is. This means that you are going to need to use your absolute best judgment to make sure that they are in the absolute best conditions.
#6 – Their Mouth is Hanging Open
One of the most notorious signs of Metabolic Bone Disease in bearded dragons is going to be slack jaw. This means that their mouth is going to be hanging open when it should not be. If you have a bearded dragon that has a mouth that is regularly hanging open, or has a difficulty hanging on to the food that they are fed, it could be a sign that they are suffering from slack jaw. If this is the situation, you are going to need to take your bearded dragon to a veterinarian as soon as you are able too so that they can be tested for Metabolic Bone Disease. Your veterinarian will be able to make sure that all of your questions are answered.
#7 – Your Bearded Dragons’ Mouth is Discolored or Black
If your bearded dragon has a mouth that is either blackened or discolored, it can be a sign that they have mouth rot. Mouth rot in a bearded dragon means that they are going to have a bacterial infection that is affecting their gums and mouth. This type of disease is normally caused by some very unsanitary conditions, as well as lower temperatures than a bearded dragon should have to deal with. If your bearded dragon does have mouth rot, it will need to be treated by a special reptile veterinarian.
#8 – They Have a Decolored Stomach
When you have a bearded dragon and their stomach starts to become a darker color, it is a really good sign that your bearded dragon is under a lot of stress. This is normally going to be seen in bearded dragons that are newer side of being brought home or changing habitats. But if you are to give it some time so that the bearded dragons are able to adapt, it will be much easier for them to acclimate to their new home.
#9 – If They Have a Malnourished/Boney Appearance
When your bearded dragon has a malnourished, boney appearance, it can easily be a direct sign to your bearded dragon not being fed the proper diet. While there are going to be many different reasons that our bearded dragon is not going to eat what it needs to eat, you will need to figure this out as it will be one of the main reasons that your bearded dragon will die while in your possession.
#10 – Bearded Dragon Brittle Bones and Disfigured Tails
When you have a bearded dragon, they can easily lose a limb or tail. In fact, this can actually be from the impact or breaking of a certain bone at a certain time. When your bearded dragon has brittle and weak bones, they will more than likely have Metabolic Bone Disease. Just in case you notice your bearded dragons’ tail is starting to turn into a clack tip color that looks dead, there is a good chance that you should seek out medical attention asap.
#11 – Bearded Dragon Obesity
When they are in the wild, bearded dragons are actually very wild and mobile creatures. However, when you are going to raise one of these majestic beasts in captivity, they are not going to have the same amount of space when compared to when they are in the wild. Anyways, a poor diet that has been combined with a lesser amount of activity 9s athe perfect way your bearded dragon fast.
#12 – Bearded Dragon Shaky Behavior
While there are going to be many different reasons why your bearded dragon is going to be either shaky or jerky, the most common ones are going to fall back on a poor nutrition system. In fact, the most common reason that bearded dragons have any type of medical conditions is due to the amount of calcium and Vitamin D3 that they get. Bearded dragons are going to require both calcium and vitamin D3 in order to maintain their health and be strong.
#13 – Your Bearded dragon has a Damaged or Bloody Snout
While there is no doubting that seeing a bearded dragon snout that has been bloodied and damaged is going to be caused by some type of snout rubbing, this is more commonly reserved for when a bearded dragon is forced to live in an enclosure that is much too small for the size of the bearded dragon.
#14 – Your Bearded Dragon has Sunken Eyes
Whenever you see that our bearded dragon has any type of sunken eyes, it is a definite possibility that they are also dehydrated or have some type of infection. In this particular situation, all that would need to do is to give your bearded dragon a lukewarm bath, allowing it to lap up any kind of dechlorinated and clean water.
While it would serve you best to make sure that they are not dehydrated and are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, it is only advice and should be followed accordingly. This means that you will need to provide a continuous supply of very fresh, dechlorinated water on a daily basis. When you are collecting water, be sure that you always use a container that is not he more shallow side that will prevent any bearded dragon drowning, as well as any bearded dragon hanging during their bath time.
When it comes to having a bearded dragon as a pet, there are many different things that you are going to need to consider. While many of the problems, as well as the solutions, can be found by going online, there is always going to be a certain want for having the happiest and healthiest bearded dragon ever. If you follow these simple 14 tips to helping keep your bearded dragon happy and healthy, you will have absolutely nothing to worry about at all. However, if you don’t follow the signs and symptoms that bearded dragons are going to give you to help be healthy and happy, you will have everything that you will ever need ever again in order to have the healthiest and happiest bearded dragons that you have ever had in the history of bearded dragons.
