Constipation is a common problem for pet bearded dragons. If your beardie is acting lethargic, has a swollen abdomen, or is straining to pass stool, it may be time to consider giving a laxative. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using laxatives to relieve constipation in bearded dragons.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Mineral oil or pediatric glycerin suppositories can safely be used as laxatives for bearded dragons under the direction of an exotic vet. Withhold food for 24 hours, hydrate with a warm soak, then carefully administer the laxative.
Monitor for improvement over 12-24 hours. Contact a vet if there’s no improvement.
Signs of Constipation in Bearded Dragons
Lethargy and Swollen Abdomen
Two common signs of constipation in bearded dragons are lethargy (lack of energy) and a swollen abdomen. When a bearded dragon is unable to pass stool, the backed up waste causes bloating and discomfort. This often makes the dragon act tired, move less, and generally seem unwell.
A swollen or hard belly is a sure indicator that there is a blockage.
Bearded dragons are usually active reptiles that explore their habitat and hunt for food often throughout the day. So if a dragon is sleeping more than normal or not moving around, constipation may be the culprit. The swelling pushes on other organs, further contributing to feelings of illness.
Difficulty or Straining to Pass Stool
Another obvious constipation symptom is trouble pooping despite efforts to go. Bearded dragons will often frequently visit the warm spot in their enclosure that they use as a toilet area. You may witness them straining, seemingly unable to pass anything.
Their muscles may ripple as they push to no avail. After some time trying, they will give up and bask under the heat lamp or go to their hiding spot looking defeated. The dragon knows something is wrong when it can’t eliminate like normal.
Change in Appetite or Behavior
As creatures of habit, bearded dragons tend to have predictable routine behaviors like basking, eating, and going to the bathroom. When constipated, appetite and actions can shift. For example, a dragon might refuse its live insects at feeding time when it normally would be excited to hunt them.
Personality might adjust too. Docile dragons can become nippy and aggressive when they don’t feel good. On the other hand, active dragons might withdraw from daily habits and interaction. These variations from the status quo occur as a result of distress and discomfort from constipation.
Causes of Constipation in Bearded Dragons
Dietary Issues
One of the most common causes of constipation in bearded dragons is poor diet. Bearded dragons are insectivores, meaning insects should make up 75% of their diet. Feeder insects like crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches provide fiber that aids digestion.
Lack of fiber can slow down the passage of food through the gut. In addition, too many fruits which are high in sugar, or calcium-rich veggies like spinach and kale can also lead to constipation. Stick to a varied diet of insects, leafy greens, vegetables, and limited fruits.
Dehydration
Ensure your bearded dragon is drinking enough water! Dehydration thickens the gastrointestinal contents making it harder to pass stool. Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, saggy skin, and urates that are creamy or chalky white rather than white and solid. Provide fresh water daily.
Consider adding water to leafy greens or giving hydrating foods like cucumbers, melon, or berries which have high water content.
Gut Impaction
Impactions occur when hard-to-digest material gets stuck in the gut, obstructing the passage of stool. Possible causes include accidental ingestion of substrate like sand or bark chips, or eating prey that is too large. Impactions are serious and require veterinary assistance.
Prevention is key – house beardies on safe loose substrates like tile, paper towels, or textured shelf liner. Feed appropriately-sized prey no wider than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
Underlying Health Conditions
Sometimes constipation results from an underlying health issue. Parasites, microbial infections, and metabolic diseases like gout can all slow motility. Older dragons may develop arthritis that impairs mobility needed to pass stool.
Other possibilities include spinal cord trauma, cysts, or cancerous growths. If diet and husbandry changes do not resolve constipation within 2-3 days, have your dragon evaluated by an exotic vet to diagnose and treat any underlying condition.
Natural Remedies and Preventive Care
Adjust Diet
One of the best ways to prevent constipation in bearded dragons is by feeding them a balanced diet high in fiber. Fruits and vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots and apples provide a great fiber boost (BeardedDragon101).
Leafy greens like dandelion greens and turnip greens also help support healthy digestion. Cut back on insects, which are harder for dragons to digest. An improved high fiber diet can often relief constipation on its own through natural means.
Increase Hydration
Dehydration is another common cause of constipation in reptiles. Make sure your bearded dragon has constant access to fresh, clean water. Change the water daily. You can also give them regular baths and mist their enclosure to increase humidity. Proper hydration keeps their system functioning smoothly.
Provide Appropriate Heat
Bearded dragons need belly heat from below to aid their digestion. Make sure their tank is set up with a proper basking spot reaching 100-110°F. Having this heat source and temperature gradient allows dragons to thermoregulate and raise their body temperature as needed to digest their food and pass waste.
An incorrect tank temperature is a common reason dragons can become “backed up”.
Increase Exercise
Lack of exercise can lead to sluggish digestion and constipation. Make sure your dragon gets plenty of supervised play time outside their enclosure each day. This gives them a chance to crawl around and be active. The stimulation helps move food through their digestive tract.
Natural sunlight also provides beneficial Vitamin D to support healthy digestion.
How to Administer a Laxative to a Bearded Dragon
Contact an Exotic Vet
The first step when you suspect your bearded dragon is constipated is to contact an exotic veterinarian for expert advice. Reptiles can be very sensitive to medications, so you’ll want to consult a vet before giving any laxatives or remedies.
An exotic vet can help determine if constipation is indeed the issue, or if something more serious like an intestinal blockage is going on. They can suggest the gentlest and safest laxatives or treatments for your particular dragon based on symptoms, weight, age, and other factors.
Choose the Right Laxative
Vets often recommend gentle laxatives like mineral oil or lactulose syrup for bearded dragons. These help lubricate the digestive tract to allow blocked feces to pass easier. The dosage must be carefully calibrated based on weight, so follow your vet’s exact recommendations.
Some vets may prescribe oral medications like Laxatone or Bene-Bac. These are formulated for reptiles and aid digestion. Never give a lizard laxatives made for humans or other animals ─ dangerous side effects could occur.
Stop Feeding for 24 Hours
It’s important to let your bearded dragon’s digestive system rest before giving laxatives. Stop feeding insects for 24 hours since food in the stomach could interfere with the medication working properly.
Still provide fresh water so your dragon stays hydrated. Limit handling as well, since stress can make constipation worse.
Hydrate with a Warm Soak
Try giving a 10-15 minute warm water soak prior to administering the laxative. The water should only reach about halfway up your dragon’s sides when they’re sitting down. This can aid hydration and relax the muscles to promote defecation.
| Safe Water Temperature | 82-88° F |
| Soaking Duration | 10-15 minutes |
Carefully Give the Laxative
Administer the laxative in the method advised by your exotic vet – this is often orally via a syringe without the needle tip attached. Go slowly and avoid squirting into the back of the throat so liquid doesn’t accidentally get inhaled.
Never give a second dose without your vet’s consent, as overdosing laxatives can be extremely dangerous for bearded dragons.
Monitor for Results
Observe your bearded dragon closely over the next 24 hours. Look for signs they passed stool like twitching tail, straining motions, or waste visible in the enclosure.
Contact your exotic vet again if no result occurs within 48 hours for additional advice. Constipation can progress to complete impaction so prompt veterinary treatment is essential.
With the proper laxative medication and dosage from an experienced reptile vet, most cases of bearded dragon constipation can be successfully relieved. Just be vigilant about monitoring symptoms and recovery.
When to See a Veterinarian
Giving your bearded dragon a laxative is usually a last resort when home remedies haven’t worked. It’s important to know when it’s time to seek veterinary care for a constipated dragon.
Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to take your bearded dragon to the vet:
- No bowel movement for over 1 week
- Hard, dry urates or difficulty passing urates
- Swollen abdomen or constipation for over 3 days
- Loss of appetite or lethargy
- Straining to pass stool with no results
A veterinarian can do an exam to check for underlying health issues and determine the cause of constipation. They may prescribe laxatives or give fluid therapy to help get things moving again.
Vets can also rule out impaction, a life-threatening blockage that requires emergency treatment. An x-ray or palpation exam allows the vet to check for hard masses in the digestive tract.
Some other reasons to seek veterinary care include:
- Your dragon is a juvenile under 1 year old
- There are signs of pain or discomfort
- Lethargy lasts more than 1 day
- Appetite decrease lasts over 2 days
- Previous home remedies haven’t helped
Constipation in bearded dragons can be serious if left untreated. It’s better to be safe and have a vet evaluate your dragon if natural remedies aren’t working. Proper treatment can get your dragon back to regular bowel movements and prevent dangerous complications.
Conclusion
Constipation in bearded dragons should never be ignored. With some basic care and monitoring at home, mild cases can often be relieved. But if natural remedies and over-the-counter laxatives aren’t providing improvement within 12-24 hours, don’t hesitate to have your dragon seen by an exotic vet.
They can provide more advanced treatments and diagnostics to identify any underlying illness causing your pet’s constipation issues.
With the proper diet, hydration, and environment, most healthy dragons can avoid problems with constipation altogether. But knowing how to safely administer laxatives under a vet’s supervision can be an important part of keeping your beardie comfortable should the need arise.
