My bearded dragon is sick, won't eat, and has a dark tail. What to do?

Thanks for reaching out about Diaga. Concerns would be around a septic infection, inability to clot (liver or bone marrow problems), or other concerns. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. This does sound serious. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Bonita. Check and correct husbandry including temperature gradient (daily high and lows, warm and cool ends), UVB exposure and diet. Since this has been going on a long time, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide diagnostic/treatment plan. Try offering water and food via a syringe prior to the vet appointment. Intestinal infections or parasites, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney), other infections and more are all possible. Good luck.

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.

Check temps in the enclosure first. Low temps can affect digestion which could lead to regurgitation. It can also cause stress resulting in the black beard. Other potential causes include impaction, constipation, overeating (less likely with a decreased appetite) or infection (bacterial, viral, parasites). Survey the area in and around the enclosure for other negative stimuli. Reduce or eliminate if found. Continue soaks in a 50/50 mix of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide supplemental heat and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. Gently massage the abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. If symptoms persist, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Your vet may recommend x-rays to rule out or diagnose impaction, tumors or foreign body.

Thanks for reaching out about Leo. Hibernation is stimulated by winter conditions (cold temperature, decreased food opportunity). If the environmental temperature is still hot, concerns are that she is ill and a veterinary visit is recommended. Intestinal parasites or infections, metabolic disorders and other possibilities exist. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Spikey and including a photo. A veterinary visit is recommended, for diagnostics and treatment recommendations, as something might be done to improve quality of life. Check and correct heat support and other husbandry parameters. Offer food and water via a syringe. A vegetable based baby good would work well. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Anastasia and including photos. By the pictures she appears very thin and pliable. Metabolic bone disease (calcium deficiency) would be a primary concern. This could be due to inappropriate diet, lack of UVB radiation, too low temperature or metabolic disorders to prevent intestinal absorption. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. The open mouth breathing could be due to muscle weakness, pneumonia, as well as other problems. Good luck.