Bearded dragons are generally found in relatively dry and arid areas. In recent years, they have become more popular as pets due to their resilience and even-tempered nature.
If you recently became or plan to become a bearded dragon owner, you know that they need proper care and a routine life just like any other pet. For instance, regular examinations with their specialized exotic veterinarian is recommended.
To know how often and why you may need to take your bearded dragon to visit a vet, read this short article.
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Check out our complete bearded dragon care guide.
Bearded Dragons As Pets
Bearded dragons are fantastic pets to have. They are inquisitive, active and fascinating to look at. You can find many species, each of which differs in temperament and size. However, you can identify almost all of them by their special hallmark beard.
On average, the life expectancy of bearded dragons ranges from 8 to 10 years, and they can grow to be about 24 inches in their lifetime. They are relatively easy to take care of, and they love to eat insects and leafy vegetables.
Make sure to choose the right feeders to keep them away from any emergency issues. Be sure to gut load crickets for proper nutrition or you can even grow a dubia roach colony to provide them the proper nutrition they need while keeping them at a safe distance from getting parasites.
When they are in captivity, they love to bask in the sunlight or enjoy the shade inside. These reptiles have become quite popular companions to people as they are easy and pleasant to handle.
Try to avoid holding them or squeezing them too tightly to keep them from being injured. Taking them to the vet annually to ensure they are healthy is strongly recommended. Moreover, there are lots of other fun facts about beardies that you must learn if you want to own one.
Taking the Bearded Dragon to an Experienced Vet
It's important to choose an experienced exotic veterinarian with expertise in treating bearded dragons for proper health check-ups. Specialized exotic veterinarians not only have the knowledge needed to treat your beardie properly, they have access to equipment and medication specifically designed for reptiles.
When to Take the Bearded Dragon to the Vet
Throughout its lifetime, it is recommended to bring your bearded dragon to the vet for annual health exams. Of course it is also important to bring your beardie to the vet if you notice any changes in behavior, eating habits, bathroom habits, or if they have encountered an injury or other health issues.
After bringing your beardie home, try to take it to the exotic vet within 48 hours. It is important to get a baseline assessment of your new pet’s health.
For instance, if there are any pre-existing conditions, you need to find them as early as possible. Ideally, you would probably like to begin your journey with a new pet with the assurance that it is in the best of health.
Once the first visit is done, make sure to schedule yearly examinations or checkups with the vet. At LIBEVC, we recommend a fecal check-up about every six months. As parasites are more common in bearded dragons, you should consider this recommendation for their well-being.
It is important to keep in mind that most emergency trips to the vet are due to impactions, hygiene issues, drops, wounds, improper food, etc. Almost all of these issues can be avoided with proper care, diet, and husbandry.
What is Examined When You Visit the Vet
Proper medical care is absolutely essential if you notice anything unusual in your beardie's behavior. During an examination the vet will check your beardie’s heart rate, temperature, eye movement, reflexes, and weight. They will also check for signs of dehydration, proper bone formation, signs of mouth infections, and the overall appearance of the skin and tail.
Final Words
If you are planning to get a bearded dragon or have one already, know that it will need just as much care and attention as other pets, if not more.
Give proper attention to their health to have the best chance of identifying anomalies on time. Understand how often and when to take your bearded dragon to the vet. These things can ensure that you can keep your beardie safe and healthy, and enjoy its company for its lifetime.
Have questions about your beardie’s health?