| Bearded Dragons are extremely hardy lizards, when | | | | exactly as clean as you would haveliked. |
| they are providedwith the proper temperatures and | | | | They may be infested with coccidia, roundworms, |
| lighting in their environment. | | | | pinworms,hookworms, or numerous other pests. If |
| However, they are also pets who do their best to | | | | you should buy from areputable breeder, this is much |
| hide theirsymptoms from us when they become ill, as | | | | less likely to be the case, buteven then, it is possible. |
| do most other reptiles. | | | | For this reason, once you have had your dragon for |
| This is no doubt an instinctual behavior, since a sick | | | | two weeks, youshould make it a point to have him |
| Beardie, inthe wild, would probably not live for very | | | | or her seen by a reputable vet,who is well versed in |
| long. | | | | the care of reptiles, and take in a stoolsample for |
| Since your Beardie can't groan or complain about | | | | testing. Give your dragon at least two weeks to |
| where it hurts,you must use your observation skills | | | | settlein, unless it is apparent that they are ill, as when |
| to determine when something isnot right. There are | | | | they arestressed, their parasite count, particularly the |
| times when a healthy Beardie will actdifferently, but | | | | coccidia count,may be higher than normal. |
| these changes should be seen for what they are | | | | Diseases and Disorders |
| bythe experienced veterinarian. | | | | Normally, if you provide your dragon the standard |
| Because of this, you need to be very aware of what | | | | habitat, food andcare, you will have the healthiest |
| normal behavioris for each of your particular dragons, | | | | bearded dragon on earth. But,from time to time your |
| and what is not. An alerteye can generally spot a | | | | dragon could get sick. The most oftendiseases, |
| problem long before it becomes a majorconcern. | | | | beardies get are: |
| Particular attention should be paid to each | | | | 1. Mites |
| dragon'seating habits, and the amounts that they | | | | 2. Terminal Ingestion |
| usually eat, as well aswhat is the norm as far as how | | | | 3. Thermal Burns |
| often they present with bowelmovements, and what | | | | 4. Calcium Deficiency |
| they usually look like, when they do. Attentionshould | | | | 5. Impaction |
| also be paid to the amount of urates (the white solid | | | | 6. Hypovitaminosis A |
| orpowdery materials) that are passed within the | | | | 7. Respiratory Infections |
| bowel movements, as achange in this can be a sign | | | | 8. Dehydration |
| of kidney problems. | | | | 9. Stomatitis |
| If you purchased your dragons from a pet shop, | | | | 10. Internal Parasites |
| unfortunately youmay have gotten more than the | | | | 11. Coccidia |
| one living thing that you paid for...there is a better | | | | 12. Other Parasites |
| than a 50% chance that your dragon may becarrying | | | | 13. Dystocia (Egg Binding) |
| some type of intestinal parasite, particularly if | | | | 14. MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) |
| theywere being housed with other dragons, and the | | | | 15. |
| conditions that theywere being kept in were not | | | | |