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How To Take Care Of A Sick Bearded Dragon

Is your bearded dragon sick?

Are you not sure what you should be doing to care for your sick reptile?

Sickness in bearded dragons is not uncommon, and if you are not experienced, it is a challenge to know how to help take care of your pet during this time.

If you are not sure what to do, you might ask yourself:

How can I take care of my sick bearded dragon?

If you want to care for your sick animal properly, you must first identify the symptoms assessing the severity of the sickness. If you feel you cannot take care of the animal on your own, be sure to take your pet to a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. Once you have accomplished this, be sure your pet has a clean and proper habitat, making sure your beardie is as comfortable as possible, all while following the vet’s recommendations.

If you have further questions on how to properly care for your sick bearded dragon, continue reading this article.

how to take care of a sick bearded dragon

Caring For A Sick Bearded Dragon

If you think your bearded dragon is sick, there are a few things you should do to care for your pet.

First, take an assessment of your dragon’s symptoms; this will help you determine how severe their condition is currently.

If you believe the condition is severe, taking your dragon to see the veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis is a good next step.

Once you have the diagnosis, the vet can give you a treatment plan best for your pet.

With a plan of action to treat your pet, it is important to follow it and also to practice good animal husbandry.

This means making sure your reptile has a proper habitat with a hot and cool side and a full temperature gradient.

Also, their enclosure should be clean, and they should have access to fresh water.

It is also a good idea to properly clean your beardie’s tank regularly, removing old food, feces, and messes daily and weekly cleaning of the entire tank.

This will help minimize bacteria and viruses in the tank, which will make or keep your pet sick.


Why Is My Bearded Dragon Sick? Common Health Issues

Bearded dragons, like humans, can get sick, and if you know what these health issues are, you will be better able to identify and treat them to get your bearded dragon back to feeling good.

Here is a list we have compiled of common health issues for bearded dragons.

Note these are not all of the issues you might see, just some of the most common ones.

Some of these are very easily treatable in your home without seeking professional help, but for a definitive diagnosis, a veterinarian will be essential.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms you might notice in your bearded dragon, which will help you determine if they are sick and the severity of their sickness.

Be sure to keep a close eye on your bearded dragon to see these symptoms and catch the problem before it becomes deadly.

Some symptoms include:

  • Lack of appetite
  • Lethargy or unresponsiveness
  • Open mouth
  • Mucus near the nostrils and mouth
  • Trouble breathing
  • Discolored skin often becoming grey or dull
  • Sunken Eyes
  • Problems with going to the bathroom
  • Foreign objects in their stool

It is important to remember your bearded dragon might have slightly different symptoms, but these are some of the common things to look for.

You will know your pet the best and can make some determinations based on your knowledge.

If they are acting differently than they normally do, be sure to watch your animal more closely to help determine if they are sick.


Finding A Veterinarian

Finding a veterinarian to care for your bearded dragon is sometimes tough, especially if you live in a more rural area.

More often than not, veterinarians have less training in reptiles, instead of focusing on popular pets like dogs and cats, which can make finding a vet to care for your dragon a challenge.

If you aren’t sure how to find a vet, there are a few places to start.

Your first instinct will be to use Google and find as much information as possible on local vets, and this is a great start.

We also recommend talking to local breeders or reaching out to a local herpetological society (a club or organization consisting of people who are reptile and amphibian enthusiasts).

They will be able to give you great insight into who they use for their veterinary needs and why.

If you hear about a certain vet from several different people, it is a good sign they are the first vet you should try.

Once you find a vet you want to try, ask them questions, like how much experience they have with bearded dragons or if they can do testing in house.

Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions, as you are looking for someone who can provide the best possible care for your beloved pet, but it is good to try to be open and polite when asking.


Conclusion

If you are sensing your bearded dragon is getting sick, it is important to know how to best care for the animal so they can get back to living a healthy and happy life in your home.

One of the best things to do when you think your bearded dragon is sick is to take your animal to the vet.

Once you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan, make sure their habitat is clean and ideal and give them fresh water.

Doing these things will give your bearded dragon their best chance at regaining their strength and putting them on the road to recovery.

We hope after reading this, you have a better idea of how to properly care for your bearded dragon when it is sick.

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