Bearded dragons are popular pet lizards known for their calm temperament. But like any pet, they can get injured. If you’re a bearded dragon owner, you may wonder – can bearded dragons heal themselves when hurt? The short answer is yes, to an extent, but they often need help from their owners as well.
In this approximately 3000 word article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the healing abilities of bearded dragons. We’ll cover how their immune system works, different types of injuries they can sustain, what you should do if your bearded dragon gets hurt, and more.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about bearded dragon injuries and recovery.
The Bearded Dragon Immune System
Leukocytes and Wound Healing
Bearded dragons have leukocytes (white blood cells) that help fight infection and heal wounds. When a bearded dragon gets a cut or scrape, leukocytes rush to the site of injury and release chemicals that promote blood clotting and tissue repair (isn’t the lizard’s self-healing ability awesome?).
Over time, new skin cells form to close the wound. Leukocytes also phagocytize (engulf and destroy) bacteria and dead tissue to prevent infection.
If a wound is severe, bearded dragons can even autotomize (self-amputate) the injured body part! This is an extreme measure to stop the spread of infection. The organ or limb can regrow over time. Bearded dragons are remarkably resilient creatures.
The Thymus Gland
The thymus gland produces the T lymphocytes (T cells) responsible for adaptive immunity in bearded dragons. T cells learn to recognize foreign invaders and stimulate other immune cells into action. The thymus gland reaches maximum size when a beardie is a juvenile, to help establish immunity early in life.
It then naturally atrophies in adulthood.
A healthy diet with calcium, vitamins and antioxidants supports proper thymus gland development in young beardies. Make sure pet juveniles get appropriate nutrition to build lifelong immunity.
Seasonal Changes
A bearded dragon’s immunity may weaken during brumation, their winter dormancy period. Stress hormones like cortisol rise, while protective white blood cell counts fall. This makes them more prone to illness. It’s important to support their health during seasonal transitions.
Providing proper heating/lighting and isolating brumating dragons can reduce infection risks. Schedule a vet visit if you notice lethargy, swollen eyes, mucus secretions or appetite loss after brumation or during spring emergence. Catching problems early bolsters recovery odds.
Common Bearded Dragon Injuries
Broken Bones
Bearded dragons can unfortunately break bones from falls or other accidents. Signs of a break include swelling, bruising, and the limb resting at an odd angle. These injuries can be very serious if not treated properly.
The best course of action is to take the bearded dragon to an exotic vet as soon as possible. They will likely splint or cast the broken bone to help it heal correctly.
Tail and Toe Loss
Due to their anatomy, bearded dragons can drop their tails and toes if they feel threatened. This defense mechanism is called autotomy. The tail and toes will not grow back, but the areas will heal over time. Keep the tank clean to prevent infection.
Eventually, scar tissue will form where the tail and toes detached. Despite the dramatic loss of appendages, bearded dragons actually heal well from these injuries.
Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is caused by improper nutrition, specifically a lack of calcium or vitamin D3. Early signs include softened bones and limping. Left untreated, MBD causes deformities, fractures, and paralysis.
Providing proper UVB lighting and calcium supplementation is key to preventing this disease. At the first sign of MBD, increase calcium and take the bearded dragon to the vet. With early intervention, minor cases can fully heal over several months as the bones recalcify.
Mouth Rot
Mouth rot is a bacterial infection of the gums and tissue in the mouth. It causes inflamed, swollen tissue often with cheesy pus. Underlying causes include poor hygiene, trauma, and malnutrition. Without treatment, mouth rot can eat away tissue in the mouth and eventually spread internally.
Luckily, exotic vets can prescribe antibiotics to clear mouth rot infections rather quickly. Improving husbandry is also important for full healing and prevention of recurrence.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are common in bearded dragons kept in suboptimal environments. Infections are often caused by inadequate temperatures or humidity. Bacterial, fungal, or parasitic organisms attack the respiratory tract causing symptoms like mucus in the mouth, wheezing, and lethargy.
Respiratory infections can become life threatening if bacteria spreads to the lungs, so seeing an exotic vet is recommended. Antibiotic therapy along with environmental adjustments promotes healing and prevention of repeat infection.
Helping Your Bearded Dragon Heal
Providing Proper Husbandry
Ensuring your bearded dragon has the proper husbandry setup is crucial for helping them heal from illnesses or injuries. This includes having the correct temperature gradients (100-110°F basking spot), UVB lighting, substrate that is easy to disinfect (tile, paper towels, no sand), proper humidity levels (30-40%), and an appropriately sized enclosure (75-120 gallon recommended for adults).
Additionally, keeping their home very clean and disinfecting regularly will help prevent further issues.
Giving Medications
If your veterinarian prescribes any oral or topical medications to help treat your bearded dragon’s condition, be sure to carefully follow their dosage instructions and treatment schedule. Some tips for successfully giving medications include: gently wrapping them in a towel to restrict movement, using a medication syringe to administer oral medicine, putting topical ointments on a hard-to-reach spot using a cotton swab, and rewarding with a favorite treat after dosing them.
Assisting With Shedding
An unhealthy or stressed bearded dragon may have trouble shedding properly. To assist, provide a nice warm soak in dechlorinated water up to their shoulders for 10-15 minutes and gently rub the problem areas with a soft bristle toothbrush. Be very careful not to pull skin off forcibly.
The humidity and gentle scrubbing should help loosen the shed. You can also spray their enclosure daily with dechlorinated water to boost shedding humidity. After an incomplete shed, carefully check between toes and tail for any stubborn skin.
Monitoring Appetite and Energy Levels
Keep an eye on your bearded dragon’s appetite and activity levels when healing. Healthy dragons are usually eager to eat regularly (2 times a day for juveniles, once a day for adults) and will actively move about their enclosure basking and exploring.
Loss of appetite or lethargic behavior are causes for concern. Weigh them regularly to catch weight loss early on. Make sure to tempt sick beardies to eat with high protein offerings like phoenix worms, dubia roaches, silkworms, freshly shredded greens, bee pollen, and smoothies.
Consult an exotic vet if worrisome symptoms persist beyond 2 days.Early intervention can make all the difference!
When to Take Your Bearded Dragon to the Vet
Bearded dragons are generally hardy lizards, but they can sometimes fall ill or become injured. As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to monitor your bearded dragon’s health and know when a trip to the exotic veterinarian is warranted.
Here are some of the key signs that indicate your scaly friend needs professional medical care.
Signs of Illness
If you notice any of the following symptoms, a vet visit is likely necessary:
While an occasional “off day” is nothing to panic over, prolonged illness demands medical intervention. Catching health issues early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment.
Signs of Injury
Bearded dragons aren’t known for taking tumbles, but accidents can happen. Get your pet to a vet promptly if you observe any of these trauma indicators:
With injuries, time is often critical. Not only can untreated wounds become infected, but breaks, sprains and internal damage carry serious complications if not managed by a professional.
Preventative Checkups
Even if everything seems normal with your beloved “beardie,” annual wellness exams support long-term wellbeing. Your exotic vet can pick up early signs of issues, provide vaccinations, and advise optimal nutrition and care practices.
According to the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), all pet reptiles should get checkups at least once a year. For juveniles or breeding females, exams every 6 months are recommended.
Following this preventative schedule helps minimize health risks over your lizard’s lifespan, often into the 10-15 year range.
So be attentive to changes in your bearded dragon that might signal illness or injury. Note symptoms like appetite fluctuations or lethargy that persist more than a short time. And don’t skip those annual wellness visits that support longevity – your scaly buddy will thank you!
To learn more on recognizing signs of trouble in bearded dragons, visit the Bearded Dragon Care 101 and The Bearded Dragon websites. These are fantastic resources on keeping your beloved pet happy and healthy.
Conclusion
While bearded dragons do have some natural healing abilities, they often require assistance from owners when injured or ill. By understanding their immune system, common ailments, and proper care, you can support your bearded dragon’s health and help it recover if it sustains wounds or gets sick.
Monitoring for signs of pain, infection, and changes in behavior are key, and don’t hesitate to involve an exotic veterinarian at the first sign of trouble.