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"Pet Bearded Dragon Care & Information (Pogona vitticeps)"

Bearded Dragon Worms

Bearded Dragon Worms

Bearded dragon worms are internal parasites that infest the gastrointestinal tracks of these animals. Worm infections are probably the most common parasitic disease seen captive Bearded dragons, and are certainly very common amongst this species. It must also be said that although this is so, Bearded dragon worms are not always clinically significant as a disease. Most Bearded dragons will live with these parasites without even becoming sick. Some Bearded dragon worms are more dangerous than others.

Healthy Bearded dragons are less prone to the effects of worms than for example stressed or diseased ones. This is why young, pregnant, overcrowded and wild caught Bearded dragons tend to be more affected.

Bearded Dragon Oxyurids

The most common Bearded dragon worms are probably the Oxyurids. Less common worms include Hookworms and Roundworms.

The Oxyurids, also called Pinworms, probably occur in most Bearded dragons. They are commonly seen on faecal examinations, but it must be said that they do not always cause disease. When large numbers are present, or when the host's immune system is weak, they can however cause significant amounts of damage which lead to the following signs:

Bearded Dragon Worm Life-cycle

Most Bearded dragon worms have a direct life-cycle and are transmitted faeco-orally, meaning that eggs are ingested via unhygienic environments. The eggs hatch in various parts of the gastro-intestinal tract. Immature worms parasitize on the host (giving rise to various degrees of related disease) as they grow into adults, which in turn mates and lied eggs again. These eggs are then excreted with the faeces to be ingested by the next Bearded dragon again.

Bearded dragon worm eggs can accumulate in the environment. This is why it is so important to clean faeces on a daily basis before re-infestation takes place. Bearded dragon hygiene is even more important when they are still babies or juveniles or when more than one Bearded dragon is kept in the same vivarium.

Bearded Dragon Worm Prevention

Bearded dragon worm prevention should always start by buying healthy, non-stressed babies or juveniles. Thereafter it is always recommended to quarantine newcomers before it is introduced into an established Bearded dragon collection.

Some veterinarians end herpetoculturists believe that Bearded dragons should be dewormed on a regular basis. It is recommended that deworming takes place at the start and the end of the Bearded dragon quarantine period, and then at least once a year for single animals and every six months where more than one dragon is kept in the same environment.

Bearded dragon hygiene also plays a large roll in Bearded dragon worm prevention and reduction. Make sure to clean droppings on a daily basis. Food and water bowls should be cleaned and disinfected every day or when needed (i.e. directly after soiling). Complete cage cleaning and disinfection should also take place regularly.

Bearded Dragon Worm Signs

Most significantly infected Bearded dragons only show general clinical signs (not specific to worms). These include 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 worm symptoms include:

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

• Blood tinged stool

• Vomition

Bearded Dragon Worm Identification

When any of these signs are seen in your Bearded dragon, animals in the same cage (sick or healthy) must be presented to a reptile friendly vet as soon as possible. Remember to collect multiple / pooled fresh stool samples sealed in a plastic ziplock or similar bag.

Your veterinarian will use these faecal samples to do a faecal flotation and a faecal wet preparation. A faecal flotation is more specific to identify Bearded dragon worm eggs.

Bearded Dragon Worm Treatment

Bearded dragon worm treatment can either be prophylactic (as discussed earlier), symptomatic, or after a diagnoses has been made. Treatment should only commence under the supervision of an experienced Bearded dragon veterinarian. Additional Bearded dragon worm treatment might include antibiotics, parenteral fluid replacement (drips) and tube feeding.

The Advanced Bearded Dragon Manual
For Basic & Advanced Bearded dragon care incl. Bearded dragon worms & more...
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