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Bearded Dragon Coccidia

Bearded Dragon Coccidia

Bearded dragon coccidiosis is a very common, highly contagious protozoal disease in these species. Bearded dragon coccidia invade the gastrointestinal tract of these animals and cause cellular damage, giving rise to various degrees of disease. The two main genera involved are Eimeria spp. and Isospora spp.

Bearded Dragon Coccidia Life-cycle

Bearded dragon coccidia has a direct life cycle and is acquired by exposure to faecal-contaminated food and water. After the ingestion of ripe oocysts, they give rise to various stages of the parasite, which grows and replicate in multiple sites of the small intestines of their host. At the end of their life cycle adults produce oocysts again which are excreted via faeces into the environment. Bearded dragon coccidia can build up in captivity. The diagnosis is made by finding the characteristic oocysts on faecal flotation.

Bearded Dragon Coccidia Signs

There is some controversy as to the significance of these parasites. Although moderate to severe infections are more related to clinical signs some dragons tend to show severe disease, even with lower oocyst numbers. Not all animals with coccidians have clinical signs of disease (sub-clinical). Severely affected Bearded dragons mainly show gastrointestinal signs which includes the following:

• Partial or complete anorexia (lack of appetite)

• Weight loss & poor body condition

• Dehydration (wrinkled skin & sunken eyes)

• Weakness (lying flat)

• Lethargy or dullness (unaware of its surroundings)

More specific Bearded dragon coccidiosis symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea (abnormal or runny faeces and / or cloacal soiling)

• Blood tinged stool

• Vomition

Bearded Dragon Coccidiosis Treatment & Control

At this stage it must be stressed that coccidians can be extremely difficult to treat or eradicate. Treatment should consist of a combination of pharmaceuticals and fastidious environmental control. Bearded dragon hygiene probably plays a huge roll in the prevention and control of these parasites. Treatment should only commence under the supervision of a experienced reptile vet.

Effective vivarium treatment includes sterilization with a properly diluted bleach solution. Some reptile clinicians advocate a two-cage system where one enclosure is properly cleaned and disinfected while using the other. Coccidiosis can take weeks to treat efficiently.

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