My bearded dragon is very sick. What's the best way to help her?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My bearded dragon is very sick. She won't eat or drink, she barely moves, her head hung low, she shakes when she does moves, can't keep her eyes open much and has a respiratory problem and bone problem from previous house. My question is do I keep trying to feed and water her or should I try and end her suffering. If so what's the best way of doing so?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 30th, 2017
Ideally, she should be examined by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. The "bone problem" may respond to treatment such as calcium injections or oral supplementation. The respiratory issue may respond to antibiotics. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution or water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage. Do this twice daily for 15-20 minutes each. It will help treat or prevent minor dehydration and warm her up. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Increase her tank temps by 5 degrees and keep it on 24/7 until she responds/recovers. Do not force feed her unless you have experience doing so. Euthanizing her at home on your own is never recommended. If necessary, have your veterinarian perform it in the clinic or by housecall.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 27th, 2018
Confirm proper temps in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. You can soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will provide warmth and hydration. Gently massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation in case he is constipated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
New Pet
I just recently adopted a baby bearded dragon who is trying to pull out of failure to thrive he is a little bloated and constipated trying to give him water and Emeraid IC .07ml seem to be pulling out of it for a while but past 3 days is not as inter
Confirm proper enclosure temperatures. Young dragons need warmer temps than adults. You can review care and feeding at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes daily. This will provide warmth and hydration. be careful when feeding or administering water by syringe, you can easily cause him to aspirate fluids into his lungs which will cause respiratory infection. Fluker's Repta Boost is another supplement that can be used if the EmerAid is not sufficient. Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our 5 year old Bearded Dragon seems sick. We’ve had him since birth. He’s always loved to eat meal worms crickets and greens. He’s very picky on the greens we’ve never been able to get him to eat any other fruits or veggies. Few months ago he started
Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for about 20 minutes every few days to prevent or treat mild dehydration. In case he is constipated, you can gently massage the abdomen, front to back, during the soak. You can supplement his diet with Fluker's Repta-Boost ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/flukers-reptaboost-insectavore-and-carnivore-high-amp-boost ). Find it in the local Petco. Continue to offer fresh, chopped greens and prey. Place them in a shallow cup to make it easy for him to eat. Survey the area in and around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, high traffic or cold drafts. Reduce or eliminate any if found. Consider a tank surround to limit his view in case something he sees is causing him stress or making him angry. If symptoms persist or worsen, he will need to be physically e
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I took my bearie to riverside vet I’m Elizabeth PA and they looked at him and said it was mouth rot. But the antibiotics didn’t work and he still won’t eat. Also his eyes are very gewy and crusted shut and he keeps his mouth slightly open all the tim
Consider a recheck with a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. You can find one here: http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 In the meantime, maintain proper environmental conditions. You can even increase tank temps by 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery. Soak Falcor daily in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide hydration. You can supplement him with Fluker's Repta-Boost. Find it in the local Petco or online. Keep his eyes clean by rinsing with sterile saline and a soft cloth. He may need different antibiotics and to have the affected area cleaned and flushed. It is never recommended to allow an ill dragon to brumate. Increasing the photo-period along with the increase in temp may bring him out of brumation, but his lethargy is more likely due to illness.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! My bearded dragon has been acting very lethargic and hasn’t been eating. This has been going on for about a couple months now. What should I do?
Thanks for reaching out about Bonita. Check and correct husbandry including temperature gradient (daily high and lows, warm and cool ends), UVB exposure and diet. Since this has been going on a long time, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide diagnostic/treatment plan. Try offering water and food via a syringe prior to the vet appointment. Intestinal infections or parasites, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney), other infections and more are all possible. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My beardie LJ seems kinda depressed. How can I help him?
Confirm proper environmental parameters first. Make sure his enclosure is warm enough. Low temps will make a beardie appear sluggish or lethargic. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm him up and treat or prevent mild dehydration. If he hasn't defecated recently, you can gently massage his abdomen, from front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. Make sure he is getting adequate UVB lighting and vitamin and mineral supplementation. If his behavior persists, have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I have a bearded dragon who is about a year and a half. Lately, he's been very lethargic. He's been a little "lazy" lately, and tends to poop about once a week (which I know is less than normal, but he was seen by a vet twice who said he seemed perfe
This behavior is a little concerning to me. You can try soaking him in warm water and see if that helps. You may also need to assist feed him with a critical care supplement. If you aren’t receiving help from your regular vet it is always ok to ask for a second opinion. I would recommend visiting a vet that specializes in reptiles. They may be able to perform lab work, a fecal examination, and xrays or an ultrasound to help determine the underlying cause. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My baby bearded dragon won't eat.. what do I do?
Confirm proper temperatures. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Soak Jax in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide heat and may treat or prevent mild dehydration. Be sure prey is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between the eyes. Look for pinhead crickets or freshly hatched/molted dubia roaches. Gutload them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Fluker's Repti-Boost can be used as a supplement. If Jax does not begin eating, have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose illness or injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What can I do for my bearded dragon who has recently laid (infertile) eggs and is now sleeping much more and eating much less?
Increase her calcium supplementation. Dust prey daily or provide a liquid calcium supplement. Check the UVB light source and replace it if it is more than 6 months old. Offer a variety of gut loaded prey (crickets, dubia roaches, etc), vegetables and a commercial beardie diet. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week until she perks up. Check for proper temperatures, ambient and basking, in the enclosure. If symptoms persist, have Beatrix examined by an experienced herp veterinarian in case she is impacted or egg bound.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My friends bearded dragon is gaging, had a black beard and isn't eating. They have been feeding him mealworms,superworms, crickets and strawberries. They said it started a month and a half ago They said she's also acting lethargic. They said this
Her diet is not nutritionally balanced. An adult beardie (12 months and older) should be eating mostly fresh greens and vegetables, about 75-80% of the diet with the remainder comprised of protein (crickets, dubia roaches, etc). For juveniles, the percentages are reversed. All food should be appropriately sized to make eating easier. The rule of thumb is to offer no greens or prey that is bigger than the space between the eyes. A multivitamin and a calcium supplement are also critical to good health. A bearded dragon also need appropriate temperature and UVB lighting. There should be a cool side, warm side and a basking area. The UVB light should be unobstructed and no more than 14-16 inches from th3e surface of the tank. You can find specifics for diet and environment here: http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=2730 The gagging may be diet related or not. The black beard is a sign of stress. These symptoms could be nutritional, en
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a tiny bearded dragon baby and is there anything I need to look out for specifically to see if she is unwell
Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or loose stool. Dehydration is a common cause of hatchling death. Mist her several times a day. Do not use a water bowl as it presents a risk of drowning. Feed appropriately sized prey. This can include roaches, crickets or silkworm. Fresh, chopped greens and a commercial pelleted diet should also be offered. Offer a calcium supplement daily and a multvitamin 5 days per week. Her enclosure should contain climbing furniture, a basking area, a heat lamp, UVB lightsource and a couple hides (one on the cool side, one on the warm side). Follow this link for more information: http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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