My bearded dragon is inactive, not shedding, and rarely poops. What's wrong?

Question

My bearded dragon never really been very active but she's alert and her eyes are clear, etc, but she stopped shedding sometime this fall and she doesn't go to the bathroom very often but she isn't blocked. She has at good appetite and I feed her every other day or so and keep fresh water with her. Are all of these things "normal"? The vet checked her late summer and said health wise she was good but it just seems odd that she doesn't move much. Her cage is kept at the recommended temps. Pet's info: Reptile | Bearded Dragon | Female | 1 year and 11 months old

Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM · Accepted Answer

Thanks for your question about Tarzan. The lack of activity that you are describing may be normal for Tarzan, but when you then combine it with her not shedding and not going to the bathroom very often I begin to suspect that there is something else going on. I would recommend feeding Tarzan a small salad of dark leafy greens on a daily basis, with calcium supplementation 2-3 times per week based on her age. I would also recommend protein 2 times per week based on her age as well. You eluded to having recommended temperatures in the cage, but I didn't see how you were monitoring the temperatures or if there was UVB light provided. I would recommend monitoring using a digital thermometer and changing the UVB light every 4-6 months. I am glad that she seemed to be doing okay at her vet visit in the fall. I didn't see if blood work was performed, but that is something that I recommend for every reptile at regular intervals for wellness examinations, as reptiles are very good at hiding their illnesses from their owners. I would also consider performing radiographs (x-rays) if these haven't been performed previously, as well as a fecal examination. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Tarzan feels better soon.

My bearded dragon is inactive, not shedding, and rarely poops. What's wrong?

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