My bearded dragon is lethargic with runny poop. Should I see a vet?

Hi Katie. Any abnormalities you are seeing with Zillo should be checked out by your vet. I don't see anything outwardly abnormal based on those photos. Most health issues that we see in reptiles is due to improper husbandry (diet, lighting, housing, etc) so I suggest you check and make sure you are doing everything 100% correct. Here is a good reference for you to read about Beaded Dragon husbandry. I also suggest you get him an exam with a reputable reptile vet - he could have intestinal parasites causing that are causing his problems. ( http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Bearded-Dragon/ ) If you don't already have a vet that you use, I found this one in your area that will treat reptiles. ( http://applevalleyanimalhospital.com/wellness/avian-exotic/ ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

The first thing I would do is take Eragon to a vet and has his feces examined. It can be common for young reptiles to have parasites and he might need to be dewormed. If he does not have parasites the vet can discuss proper husbandry with you. Make sure to dust the crickets with calcium and gut load them before feeding.

Thanks for reaching out about Jabberwocky. Yellow runny feces is not normal, nor a sign of acclimation. A veterinary visit is highly recommended as this bearded dragon appears to be ill. Intestinal parasites or infection, metabolic disorders such as liver (atadenovirus) and other possibilities. Offer water and food through a syringe until you have a veterinary appointment. Good luck.

Mealworms can be a problem for some beardies, especially juveniles, due the chitinous body. If you can, switch her over to appropriately sized crickets or dubia roaches. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering and dust with multivitamin and calcium powders to maximize nutritional value. Maintain adequate temperatures as well. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. A temp gradient ranging from about 76 F (cool side) to 86 F (warm side) with a basking spot of 90 F to 100 F is recommended. To stimulate defecation, soak Lizzie in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Gently massage her abdomen from front to back during the soak. The soak will also hydrate her and aid in shedding.

Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temperatures can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50 /50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. This can warm him up and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. Offer appropriately sized crickets and mealworms as well as fresh, chopped greens and fruits. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/waterdragons.html

Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Monitor Drogon for difficulty breathing, blowing bubbles, lethargy, or odd sounds while breathing. These are symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Parasites or URI may cause the condition you are seeing. Bump cage temps up by about 5F for a few days. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte twice daily for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the UVB light source is not older than 6 months and use quality vitamin and mineral supplements. If Drogon gets worse or does not begin eating soon, have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian.

A bit of mucus is normal to see as long as there are no other symptoms (lethargy, decreased appetite, difficulty defecating, etc). One episode is no cause for concern. If it persists or if Lizzie develops any other symptoms, then have her examined by your veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.