| Impaction in bearded dragons occurs when something | | | | regularly. You may also notice he trembles his legs |
| blocks their digestive tract. Although usually caused | | | | slightly or walks irregularly. Another sign to look for |
| by a solid mass, the digestive tract can also be | | | | is a small bump in the spinal area. If the condition |
| obstructed by a semi-solid indigestible mass. A | | | | becomes very serious, your bearded dragon may |
| blockage in the digestive tract is a very serious | | | | even develop partial paralysis. |
| situation and can be fatal if not treated in time. So, | | | | Treatment |
| what exactly causes this condition? | | | | It's important to treat impaction in bearded dragons |
| Causes | | | | promptly, especially if paralysis has set in. Less |
| Impaction usually occurs because your beardie ate | | | | serious cases can sometimes be resolved by bathing |
| something too large for him to digest properly. Also, | | | | in warm water. While bathing, you can gently |
| certain insects have hard exoskeletons or shells that | | | | massage his abdomen in an attempt to get the |
| aren't very easy to digest. This is commonly a | | | | blockage along the digestive tract. However, it's |
| problem with juvenile dragons. | | | | always best to seek veterinarian treatment in all |
| You should also know that these lizards require | | | | cases of impaction. |
| proper temperatures in order to digest their food | | | | Prevention |
| properly. Therefore, improper temperatures can | | | | There are a few things you can do to prevent this |
| also cause bearded dragon impaction. Another very | | | | condition. First, you should never feed your dragon |
| common cause is using problematic substrates in the | | | | food that's too large for him. Insects shouldn't be |
| vivarium. Some of the most dangerous include | | | | bigger than the space between his eyes. Also, you |
| calcisand, corncob, walnut shell, and wood shavings. | | | | should avoid potentially dangerous substrates that |
| Signs | | | | can be ingested. These substrates are particularly |
| Your dragon will display various signs if he becomes | | | | dangerous with juveniles as they can easily ingest |
| impacted. At first, he will stop using the bathroom | | | | items accidentally. |