How to Treat the Most Common Injuries in Bearded Dragons

The Bearded dragons or beardies are exceptional lizards that are native to Australia.

These lizards get their name from the flap of skin that hangs down from their necks, which looks like beards.

The beardies are the most popular lizards in captivity in some parts of the world.

If well taken care of, they can live for up to 15 years; therefore, adopting this pet is a long-term commitment.

Bearded dragons have grown in popularity over the last few decades, thanks to the fact that they’re docile and easy to care for.

But this doesn’t mean that you can leave them alone for a few days without a pet sitter when you’re out of town, right!

Like all the other pets, these beautiful popular reptiles are prone to a wide range of injuries.

These delicate creatures can harm themselves, fall, or be bitten by their prey when feeding.

Therefore, knowing these injuries, how to prevent them, and in the worst case scenario, how to treat them is mandatory for Bearded dragon owners!

This and more are what we will cover in this post.

What Are the Most Common Bearded Dragon Injuries?

All pets are prone to injuries; therefore, as a Bearded dragon owner, you need to worry about more than what do bearded dragons eat.

You need to be prepared for a wide range of injuries, including falling injuries, improper shedding injuries, crushing injuries, and biting injuries, among others.

Bearded Dragon Biting Injuries

The most common bearded dragon injuries you’ll ever have to deal with are biting injuries.

In most cases, it’s usually the male biting the females during the breeding process or the huge ones biting the small ones.

At times the injuries can be caused by some of the prey, including juvenile mice and crickets.

Biting injuries are also common among juvenile Beardies, particularly in a multi-colony enclosure or limited food.

Biting injuries are a major issue with breeders, primarily where overcrowding occurs.

Some of the most common biting injuries you will have to deal with include:

Leg and Tail Biting Injuries

Tail and leg biting are triggered by bullying among juvenile beardies; therefore, you should provide more than enough food for them to prevent this from happening.

This means increasing their feeding frequency to about thrice per day.

Another solution is separating them into batches as soon as they reach 6 weeks old.

Dividing them into smaller groups will prevent overcrowding and mixing giant lizards with smaller ones.

Male dominance during the breeding season can also result in some injuries when fighting against each other.

Lip and Neck Biting Injuries

Lip and neck biting is typical vigorous behavior when breeding.

During the mating season, the male Beardies tend to bite the lips and necks of susceptible females.

To reduce the likelihood of this happening, you should allow a proper resting period during the mating season or introduce more females to the group.

How to Treat Bite Injuries

A considerable percentage of these injuries will require a little intervention from you.

But if the bleeding can’t be controlled or it results in an infection, you may have to apply antiseptic ointments or give them some antibiotics.

If the bleeding gets out of control, you should consult a veterinarian.

If your bearded dragon has an injury to the skin, you should clean it with warm water and mild soap.

Apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling.

Do not apply any ointments or creams to the area, as they may cause further irritation.

Bearded Dragon Fall Injuries

Fall injuries are also quite popular, and they are usually the outcome of falling from significant heights.

These pets can also fall after being mishandled by the owners or when climbing their cages.

Fall injuries can result in bone fractures or internal bleeding.

Too many falls can result in anorexia and even pet loss, which can be challenging for pet owners.

Since they love climbing, the Bearded dragons can fall from high cage furniture or from the side of their enclosures.

Therefore, you should do proper planning when designing cage furniture and enclosures.

Unfortunately, determining the extent of the fall injuries in bearded dragons can take a few hours after the accident occurs.

Some of the signs of a fall injury to watch out for include:

• Bleeding from the mouth
• Difficulty or fast breathing
• Enlargement of their abdomen
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fractures can affect their mobility

How to Treat Fall Injuries

You should take your pet to a qualified reptile vet for inspection when you notice the above symptoms.

Specialized ultrasonography or radiography can be costly, but it will help with diagnosis.

Some severe injuries will require a combination of surgical repairs, rest, and a variety of parenteral fluids.

Treating Other Common Bearded Dragon Injuries

Injuries to the Eye

If your bearded dragon has an injury to the eye, you should keep it clean and dry.

Apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling.

Do not apply any ointments or creams to the area, as they may cause further irritation.

If the injury is severe, see a veterinarian.

Injuries to the Mouth

Injuries to the mouth can be caused by bites from live prey or if they consume too dry foods.

If your bearded dragon has an injury to the mouth, you should keep it clean and dry.

Apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling.

Do not apply any ointments or creams to the area, as they may cause further irritation.

Give the injury time to heal and prevent other infections, but if it persists or prevents your pet from eating, then you should consider taking it to the vet.

Final Verdict

Injuries are a part of life, whether you’re a bearded dragon or not.

But that doesn’t mean we have to just sit back and take them!

There are ways to treat the most common injuries in bearded dragons, and with a bit of know-how, you can have your pet on the mend before you know it.

But in severe cases, you may have to take your pet to a reptile-friendly vet for diagnosis and treatment.