Health

Most bearded dragons are healthy. They are a hardy lizard that can live ten or more years. Even with proper care your pet may become sick. When you suspect he may be ill, a visit to a veterinarian is always recommended.

Below is a list of common illnesses that may affect your bearded dragon.

Genentic Disease
Genetic diseases are hereditary health problems bearded dragons are born with. They occur in the offspring of dragons that are closely related. Some genetic diseases involve deformed limbs, tails, and possibly extra appendages.

Calcium & Vitamin D3 Deficiencies
When a bearded dragon has deficiencies it can cause seizures, stunted growth, deformities, poor bone growth, and brittle bones. Vitamin D3 and calcium problems can be solved by making sure your bearded dragon receives proper lighting and dietary supplements.

Beta-Carotine Deficiencies
A deficiency in bera-carotine will cause the coloration of your bearded dragon to fade over time. This is especially prevalent in lizards with bright color variations. The easiest way to rectify the problem is to include carrots and yellow vegetables in the bearded dragon’s diet.

Overfeeding Babies & Juveniles
Overfeeding baby and juvenile bearded dragons causes paralysis in the hind quarters and is usually fatal. It results from the pressure of the food bolus on the spinal nerves. Therefor, do not overfeed the young lizards and do not give them insects that are too large.

Injuries
It is not uncommon for bearded dragons housed together to inflict unjury upon less aggressive lizards. They may lose toes or tail tips from the combative behavior. The injury should be treated with a disinfectant ointment. If aggression persists, separate caging is the only way to stop the fighting.

Respiratory Infection
Signs of respiratory infection are gaping, noisy breathing, and mucus discharge from the nose and mouth. It is usually caused by low temperatures, high humidity, or both. You should keep your bearded dragon warm and at a relatively low humidity. It is often required to see a veterinarian.

Gastrointestinal Infections
Signs of gastrointestinal infection are weight loss, lack of appetite, and foul smelling  diarrhea. This type of illness must be treated by a veterinarian.

Fungal Infections
Fungal infection are caused by a warm, damp environment. The infection occurs in a cut or scrape on your bearded dragon. It should be treated with an anti-fungal ointment.

Egg Binding
Egg binding can be caused by calcium deficiency, being under or overweight, or the bearded dragon can’t find a suitable egg nest. Have a deep soil substrate for your lizard to dig a nest. If egg binding is caused by a different reason, you will need to take the animal to the veterinarian. If there is a suitable spot to dig a nest and the animal stops eating for days and keeps looking for a place to lay its eggs, there is a problem.