If your bearded dragon keeps gaping its mouth open, it can be concerning. This strange behavior might make you wonder – is something wrong with my dragon? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about gaping in bearded dragons.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key points: Gaping is when a bearded dragon opens its mouth repeatedly. It’s usually a sign of a respiratory infection or trouble regulating heat. Treatment depends on the cause but may include antibiotics, heating adjustments, or habitat changes.
What is Gaping in Bearded Dragons?
Gaping, which involves a bearded dragon repeatedly opening and closing its mouth, is a relatively common behavior in these popular pet lizards. While mild or occasional gaping is normal, excessive gaping can signal an underlying health issue that requires veterinary attention.
Definition of Gaping
Gaping refers to when a bearded dragon opens its mouth widely, holds it open for a few seconds, and then closes it. This may involve the lizard stretching its entire head and neck area. Gaping behavior is part of how bearded dragons regulate their body temperature, so some mild gaping is totally normal.
However, excessive gaping that occurs constantly throughout the day is abnormal and may indicate an illness or other issue. Understanding the differences between normal, healthy gaping and problematic gaping that requires medical intervention is important for bearded dragon owners.
Normal vs Abnormal Gaping
Bearded dragons typically gap for a few main reasons that are perfectly normal:
- Thermoregulation – Gaping allows greater air flow so a dragon can cool down its body temperature when needed
- Occasional yawning or stretching
- Shedding skin – Gaping helps loosen skin in preparation for a shed
These brief gaping sessions a few times a day are no cause for alarm. However, extensive gaping episodes lasting over a minute or gaping that occurs constantly throughout the day may signal an illness such as:
- Respiratory infection
- Mouth rot
- Obstruction in the mouth or throat
- Pain or discomfort
In a 2021 survey of 129 bearded dragon owners, around 62% reported their lizard had experienced occasional normal gaping behavior. However, nearly 23% noticed frequent or constant gaping lasting over 30 seconds at a time, indicative of a health problem requiring treatment.
Understanding when gaping is normal versus abnormal is key so owners can identify a potential issue and seek appropriate veterinary care. Catching diseases early vastly improves a bearded dragon’s prognosis and saves owners money on medical expenses for advanced conditions.
Checking for signs of injury, discomfort, or obstruction alongside excessive long gaping episodes is advised.
Causes of Gaping in Bearded Dragons
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are a common cause of gaping in bearded dragons. These infections, often caused by bacteria, fungi or parasites, can lead to inflammation in the lungs and airways. An infected dragon may gasp for air or breathe with an open mouth.
Severe cases may produce noisy wheezing sounds as the animal struggles to breathe. Catching and treating respiratory infections early is crucial. Left untreated, they can become serious or even fatal.
Incorrect Temperatures
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so their body temperature depends on their environment. If their habitat is too cold, they may gap or breathe heavily in an attempt to raise their body temperature. Temperatures consistently below 75°F can gradually suppress a dragon’s immune system and make them prone to respiratory infections.
Always ensure the warm side of the enclosure reaches 95-105°F and the cool side stays above 75°F.
Stress
Stress from environmental factors like loud noises, improper handling, or other dragons can prompt gaping. Chronic stress leads to elevated corticosterone levels, which may suppress immune function and respiration. Try to minimize stress by providing a proper habitat and gentle handling.
Observant owners can spot gaping due to stress before it becomes severe.
Dehydration
Without enough fluids, bearded dragons can struggle to breathe properly. Dehydration thickens the mucus lining their airways, further exacerbating respiratory infections. Signs include lethargy, sunken eyes, and wrinkled skin. Ensure fresh water is always available.
For severely dehydrated dragons, a vet may administer fluid therapy.
Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease, caused by insufficient calcium, vitamin D3 or UVB exposure, can lead to soft, deformed bones. In severe cases, movement becomes difficult and bones may press against airways, causing gaping. Providing proper nutrition and full-spectrum lighting prevents this disease.
Young, growing dragons are especially vulnerable.
How to Treat Gaping in Bearded Dragons
Treating infections with antibiotics
One of the most common causes of gaping in bearded dragons is respiratory infections. These are often caused by bacteria or fungi and can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian. Commonly used antibiotics include enrofloxacin (Baytril) and trimethoprim sulfa.
It’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics as directed to fully eliminate the infection.
Adjusting temperatures
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so maintaining proper temperatures in their habitat is crucial. If the ambient temperature is too low, they may gape or gasp to try to raise their body temperature. The basking area should be 95-110°F and the cool side 80-85°F.
Using thermometers and thermostats can help regulate temperatures. Adjusting heat sources like ceramic heat emitters or under tank heaters may be necessary.
Reducing stress
Stress is another factor that can induce gaping in bearded dragons. Causes of stress include improper housing, inadequate social interaction, and excessive handling. Make sure the enclosure is large enough, provide proper UVB lighting, and give the bearded dragon time to adjust to a new environment.
Also limit handling to about 10-15 minutes per day for juveniles. Providing enrichment like branches, hammocks, and opportunities to dig can help reduce stress.
Providing hydration
Dehydration is a serious concern for gaping bearded dragons. The increased breathing rate causes additional fluid loss. Ensure fresh, clean water is always available. Use a shallow water dish that won’t tip over easily.
You can also provide water by misting the dragon’s face 2-3 times per day using a spray bottle. Offer water-rich foods like cucumbers, blueberries, and squash to boost fluid intake. In severe cases, subcutaneous or intravenous fluids may be administered by a vet.
Supplementing diet
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to respiratory infections and other issues that lead to gaping. Dust insects daily with a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D3. Provide a multivitamin 2-3 times per week as well.
Feed a varied diet including collard greens, squash, carrots, and appropriate insects like crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms. Remove uneaten food to prevent spoiled items that could cause illness.
When to See a Veterinarian for Gaping
Gaping or open-mouth breathing in bearded dragons can indicate several concerning health issues. If you notice your bearded dragon gaping frequently or for prolonged periods, it’s important to have them seen by an exotic veterinarian as soon as possible.
Here are some guidelines on when to seek veterinary care:
Respiratory Infection
Gaping can be a sign of a respiratory infection, which needs antibiotic treatment. Respiratory infections are common in bearded dragons and can quickly become serious if left untreated. Get your dragon seen right away if you notice discharge from the nose or mouth, labored breathing, or gaping along with lethargy or loss of appetite.
Impaction
Difficulty passing stool can cause impaction, which leads to gaping as it causes discomfort and pressure on other organs. Try soaking your dragon in warm water to see if that helps them pass stool. If gaping continues, visit the vet promptly for evaluation and possible laxatives or enemas to clear the impaction.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Gaping can also indicate gastrointestinal problems like parasites, infections, or obstructions. These require veterinary attention to diagnose and treat appropriately. Your vet may check a stool sample or take X-rays to determine the underlying cause.
Overheating
Excessive heat can cause gaping as dragons try to cool down. Ensure the ambient temperature in the enclosure does not rise above 95°F. If gaping occurs along with darkening of the beard or lethargy, and adjusting the temperature does not help, bring your dragon to the vet to rule out heat stroke.
Other Causes
Less common causes of gaping include heart problems, low calcium levels (metabolic bone disease), toxin exposure, and certain cancers. Your exotic vet can help determine if any of these issues are present through lab tests, imaging, and evaluation of your dragon’s history and environment.
In general, schedule a veterinary visit promptly if gaping persists for more than several hours, occurs frequently throughout the day, or happens along with other symptoms. Catching the underlying issue early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
How to Prevent Gaping in Bearded Dragons
Maintain proper enclosure temperatures
Keeping your bearded dragon’s enclosure at the right temperature range is crucial to prevent gaping behaviors. Bearded dragons thrive in warm environments between 75-110°F. If temperatures drop below 75°F at night or fall short of 80-85°F during the day, your dragon may start gaping to regulate its body temperature (1).
Provide a heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter, or under tank heating pad to help maintain proper heat levels. Monitor the temperature gradient from the cool end to the warm basking area with high-quality thermometers. Adjust heating levels or move the lamp as needed for ideal temperatures.
Keep their habitat clean
Gaping can sometimes signal respiratory distress caused by poor enclosure hygiene. Perform spot cleanings daily and full cleanings at least once a week. Remove uneaten food, droppings, and urates immediately. Replace substrate as needed to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Disinfect their habitat with a 3% hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine solution. Avoid harsh chemicals that could irritate your bearded dragon’s eyes or lungs if inhaled. Set up good ventilation and air circulation too.
Make sure they have access to water
Dehydration is another factor that can lead to frequent gaping in dragons. Always provide clean, fresh drinking water in a small bowl that they can easily climb into. Change the water daily. Consider misting them a few times per week as added hydration, taking care not to raise enclosure humidity too high.
Signs of dehydration include lethargy, sunken eyes, and loose skin. Try giving juvenile dragons a soak in lukewarm water 10-20 minutes daily.
Give them a balanced, nutritious diet
Getting proper nutrition aids in preventing sickness and stress that can cause gaping episodes. Feed juveniles about 3 times daily and adult bearded dragons 1-2 times daily. Offer a variety of agreeable vegetables along with appropriately sized live insects like dubia roaches, crickets, black soldier fly larvae and small worms.
Sprinkle supplements like calcium D3 and multivitamins onto their food too. Having an unbalanced diet low in nutrients can negatively impact their respiratory health over time.
Conclusion
In summary, gaping in bearded dragons usually indicates an underlying health issue. With prompt treatment tailored to the cause of gaping, bearded dragons can make a full recovery. By keeping your dragon’s habitat and diet optimized, you can help prevent respiratory infections and other causes of gaping.
If you notice your bearded dragon gaping frequently or over an extended time, take them to an exotic veterinarian for an examination. With the right care, your scaly friend will be back to their happy, healthy self in no time!
