A bearded dragon with a swollen abdomen is a concerning sight for any owner. If your beardie looks bloated, it could be dealing with a potentially serious health issue that requires prompt treatment.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Bearded dragon bloat is usually caused by improper heating, overfeeding, impaction, parasites or certain diseases. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include correcting temperatures, fasting, soaks, massage and medication prescribed by an exotic vet.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the common causes of a bloated bearded dragon, symptoms to watch for, emergency first aid steps you can take at home, when to see the vet and how bloat is treated based on the cause.
Read on to learn more about relieving your bearded dragon’s abdominal swelling and preventing it in the future.
What Causes Bloating in Bearded Dragons?
Incorrect Temperatures
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. If the temperature in their enclosure is not warm enough, around 95-110°F, it can cause digestive issues leading to bloating.
Their metabolism will slow down, preventing proper digestion and causing food to rot in their stomach.
Overfeeding
It’s easy to overfeed your bearded dragon, especially young ones who always seem hungry! Unfortunately, eating too much at one time can lead to bloating. Their small stomachs can only handle a certain amount of food before it expands unnaturally.
Overfeeding can also cause obesity, leaving dragons lethargic and prone to more health issues.
Impaction
Impaction occurs when an object gets stuck in a bearded dragon’s digestive tract, blocking the passage of food and causing bloating. Common causes are substrate like sand or calci-sand that clumps together, pieces of bark or moss, or even undigested insect exoskeletons.
Impaction requires immediate veterinary care to clear the blockage.
Parasites
Intestinal parasites are a common problem for pet bearded dragons that can lead to bloating. Parasites essentially steal nutrients from the dragon’s food, irritate the digestive tract lining, or cause obstructions.
Some types like pinworms, hookworms, and coccidia are highly contagious between reptiles. A fecal test can identify parasites so proper medication can be prescribed.
Certain Diseases
Bearded dragons with certain conditions or diseases may be prone to bloating as well. Gastrointestinal diseases like gastroenteritis can cause gas, bloating, and abdominal swelling. Liver or kidney disease can result in poor nutrient absorption and instability of salts and fluids in the body.
Even respiratory infections can secondary cause digestive upset and bloating in bearded dragons.
Symptoms of a Bloated Bearded Dragon
Distended Abdomen
One of the most obvious signs of a bloated bearded dragon is a distended or swollen abdomen. Their belly will appear much larger or puffier than usual. This abnormal swelling indicates an accumulation of gas, fluid, or blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.
If the swelling is severe, the scales along the sides of the abdomen will actually protrude outward. A mildly bloated dragon may regain normal abdomen size after passing gas or a bowel movement. But a severely bloated abdomen that stays distended warrants a vet visit to diagnose the underlying cause.
Lethargy
Lethargic behavior often accompanies a swollen belly in bearded dragons. Reptiles are cold-blooded and typically perk up when warm. But a sick, bloated dragon will act sleepy and have little energy even when warmed up.
Lethargy indicates discomfort, poor health, or a systemic problem causing the bloating. Bloated dragons tend to spend more time sleeping and less time actively exploring their habitat. They may also stop grooming or seem generally uninterested in typical activities.
Loss of Appetite
Appetite loss goes hand-in-hand with lethargy in a bloated bearded dragon. These reptiles are normally voracious eaters, especially when young and growing. But gastrointestinal distress reduces their hunger drive. The discomfort of a swollen abdomen can physically prevent them from eating normally.
And illnesses causing the bloating also kill the appetite. This is concerning since a sick reptile needs optimal nutrition to recover. A dragon that goes more than 2-3 days without eating and continues acting lethargic needs an exam.
Difficulty Breathing
Severe bloating can interfere with respiration in bearded dragons.Their swollen abdomen may physically restrict the muscles involved in breathing. Labored breathing, gaping, or wheezing can occur. The accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract also presses against the lungs.
This compromises breathing ability even further. Medical assistance is urgently needed if a bloated dragon shows signs of respiratory distress. Breathing trouble combined with lethargy indicates a critical situation.
Change in Droppings
Any change in a bearded dragon’s urine or feces can reflect gastrointestinal issues. Constipation often accompanies bloating due to intestinal obstructions, gut stasis, or certain diseases. The droppings may be smaller, firmer, less frequent, dried out, or appear different than normal.
Conversely, diarrhea or runny stools can also occur with bloating. Watery stools containing mucus or blood points to infection or inflammation. Pay attention to the dragon’s waste elimination and bring droppings samples to the vet.
First Aid for a Bloated Bearded Dragon at Home
Check Tank Temperatures
An incorrect tank temperature is a common cause of bloating in bearded dragons. Check that the cool side of the tank is 70-80°F and the warm side is 90-100°F. Use a reliable thermometer to monitor temperatures. Adjust heating sources like lamps or heat mats if needed.
Temperatures that are too cold can slow digestion while excess heat increases risk of infection.
Stop Feeding
Do not feed an already bloated bearded dragon. Allow 1-2 weeks of fasting to give the digestive system a rest. Dehydration can occur when fasting so provide fresh, dechlorinated water daily. Refrain from feeding insects, veggies, fruits, pellets, or treats until bloating goes down.
Soft foods commonly lead to impaction.
Give a Warm Bath
A 10-15 minute shallow, warm water bath allows a bearded dragon to soak and potentially relieve constipation. Use a plastic container, avoid soap or chemicals, and monitor water temperature. The bath can encourage bowel movements. Gently massage the abdomen during the bath to stimulate digestion.
Consult an exotic vet if bloating persists post-bath.
Gently Massage the Abdomen
With clean hands, lightly massage a bloated bearded dragon’s abdomen. Apply gentle pressure then release in a downward motion to mimic muscle contractions. Repeat this for 5-10 minutes to help stimulate bowel function. Ensure proper tank heating allows digestive processes to resume normally.
Call a vet if massages and baths do not reduce bloating.
Catching impaction issues early and adjusting husbandry practices can resolve many mild bloating cases. But if severe, unchecked bloating lasts over 48 hours, a vet visit is recommended. Dehydration, gut obstruction, parasites or other issues may require medication or supplements to treat.
When to See a Veterinarian for Bloat
Bearded dragons can occasionally suffer from bloat, which is an accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause them to have an enlarged or swollen abdomen. Bloat may resolve on its own, but in some cases it requires veterinary treatment.
Signs of Serious Bloat
You should take your bearded dragon to the vet promptly if you notice signs of potentially dangerous bloat, including:
- Extreme lethargy or weakness
- Very swollen or distorted abdomen
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours
- Straining or inability to pass stool
These can indicate a gastrointestinal obstruction or toxin buildup requiring treatment. According to veterinarians, bearded dragons exhibiting serious signs of bloat often need medications, fluids, or other interventions to relieve the gas buildup and treat any underlying issues.
Other Reasons to See the Vet
You should also make a veterinary visit if the mild bloat persists more than 2 days or keeps recurring. This helps determine if there is an underlying condition causing the problem. Some potential reasons vets see bloated beardies include:
- Gastrointestinal parasites
- Bacterial overgrowth in the gut
- Foreign object obstruction
- Calcium deficiency
- Incorrect temperatures or habitat conditions
Diagnostic tests like fecal tests, blood work, x-rays or endoscopy can check for issues that require medication or changes in husbandry. Seeing an exotic animal vet ensures proper treatment tailored to bearded dragons when needed.
In short, lethargy combined with a swollen abdomen signals an emergency for bloated beardies requiring prompt veterinary assessment. Recurring mild bloat also deserves investigation to remedy any underlying problems and support your dragon’s health.
Treatment for Bearded Dragon Bloat by Cause
Adjust Heating if Too Cold
If a bearded dragon is kept in temperatures too low (below 75°F), it can develop an impaction from slowed digestion. Slow motility in the gut allows ingested substrate and food to mass together and obstruct the intestines.
To treat this, adjust the basking spot to 95-110°F and increase the overall temperature of the vivarium to 75-85°F during the day. Proper heating allows food to digest and move through the system normally.
Encourage Exercise if Overfed
Overfeeding is a frequent cause of bearded dragon bloat. If a dragon eats too much at one time, the gut can become distended with food. To resolve this, encourage exercise after eating by letting the dragon roam or adding climbing branches. Exercise helps excess food pass through the system.
Going forward, feed younger dragons 2 times a day and limit insects to as many as can be eaten in 10-15 minutes. Offer more vegetables which are lower in fat and less likely to cause bloating.
Give Laxatives for Impaction
One of the most common causes of bearded dragon bloat is impaction from ingesting substrate like sand or bark chips. These materials clump in the gut and block the intestines. To treat impaction, give laxatives like mineral oil (0.5 ml per kg) orally.
This lubricates the gut contents and allow it to be passed. Also give warm soaks in shallow water to provide hydration and encourage bowel movements. Going forward, house dragons on paper towels or textured tile instead of loose substrates.
Prescribe Anti-Parasitics for Parasites
Intestinal parasites like coccidia, pinworms, and tapeworms can cause bloating in bearded dragons. The parasites irritate the gut lining and cause inflammation that prevents proper food digestion and absorption.
If parasites are found on a fecal exam, prescribe anti-parasitic medication like fenbendazole (50 mg/kg for 5 days). Also suggest probiotics to help restore healthy gut flora balance after medication. Maintain good husbandry to prevent parasite transmission through proper sanitation and handwashing.
Treat Underlying Disease
Systemic diseases in bearded dragons can secondarily lead to gastrointestinal bloating. Conditions like kidney disease, liver disease, and certain infections cause electrolyte and fluid imbalances that disrupt gut function.
Treat the underlying condition with appropriate medications, IV or subcutaneous fluids, and supportive care. Also provide symptomatic relief for the bloating with warm soaks, massage, and stool softeners. Monitor hydration and appetite closely during illness.
Conclusion
A bearded dragon with a bloated, swollen belly is suffering and needs help promptly. By understanding the most common causes of bloat, watching for key symptoms and taking emergency at-home steps, you can start relieving the pressure and discomfort right away.
But critical cases do require veterinary treatment to resolve bloating safely and prevent it from recurring. With the proper handling, most beardies fully recover and avoid future tummy troubles through improved husbandry.
If bloat strikes again despite your best efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to an exotic vet, reptile rescue group or experienced bearded dragon owners for more advice. Stay vigilant for symptoms and act quickly at the first sign of abdominal swelling.
Consistent prevention is ideal, but even fast action can still save your beardie’s life.
