How To Tell If Your Bearded Dragon Has Pinworms

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Bearded dragons are gentle and inquisitive lizard species that look like dragons and are considered the best lizards to pet. And just like other replies, bearded dragons are not spared by internal parasites like pinworms. But how do you tell if your bearded dragon has pinworms?

Well, your bearded dragon will have pinworm eggs in its faeces at some point during its life. If not effectively controlled or treated, pinworms will rob your bearded dragon of its nutrients and vitamins, cause serious infestation, and transfer to your family since they are contagious.

In this post, we will highlight what pinworms are, how they are treated, how you can prevent an infestation, and how you can tell if your bearded dragon has pinworms.

How to Tell if Your Bearded Dragon has Pinworms

Knowing your beardie and its typical behavior is an excellent place to start when diagnosing the reptile with an internal problem. When these little beardies are ailing from pinworms, their behaviour will change compared to how they act when they are normal.

Bearded dragons are generally joyful and playful; thus, when they seem depressed or somehow uninterested, you should seriously consider pinworms as the source of their problem. There is quite a high chance that pinworms are present if the beardie shows the symptoms below.

Signs of Pinworms in Bearded Dragon

Dehydration: pinworms are significant causes of dehydration in bearded dragons. Immediately you discover your bearded dragon is dehydrated, you need to rehydrate it as much as you can before seeking medical assistance from a professional vet.
Diarrhoea: bearded dragons experience diarrhoea due to worm-related infestations. Some signs of diarrhoea may include runny poop, changes in urine colour, and bloody stool. Get the dragon all the help it needs whenever you notice symptoms of diarrhoea.
Lying flat: while bearded dragons might lay flat for several reasons, they tend to spend more time in this position if pinworms are present. It’s best to check out your dragon at the veterinary to address any worrying issues.

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Pinworms in Bearded Dragon

Pinworms are internal parasites that survive in the lower gastrointestinal tract of captive bearded dragons and many other reptiles and animals. The parasitic worms absorb vitamins and nutrients essential for survival in bearded dragons. However, these parasites are normally common in beardies. Usually, they may result from poor hygiene.

Failure to clean your dragon’s enclosure regularly increases pinworm infestation, and as a result, the dragon reinfects itself. Unfortunately, pinworms tend to resist disinfectants and reliable cleaning products, meaning they can survive within the enclosure for long periods if not cleaned regularly and thoroughly.

Also, transference of pinworms between newly purchased pets and the bearded dragon is possible, usually by the pet owner. Normally, keepers fail to wash their hands before handling or touching items in the enclosure. Such behaviour can facilitate the risk of transference of pinworms to their bearded dragon.

How Do You Treat Pinworms in Bearded Dragons?

There are a couple of effective pinworm treatment methods that owners can embrace, but the most effective form of treatment is the use of antibiotics. Below are examples of forms of treatment that you can administer to your bearded dragon.

Deworming medications: This form of symptomatic treatment usually involves taking your beardie and faeces sample to the vet. After conducting a thorough examination of the dragon, the vet will administer deworming medication to treat pinworms. However, other pets and family members should also undergo deworming medication for the treatment to be effective.
Enclosure cleaning: although pinworms resist disinfectants, cleaning can be done using hot water and some soap. Consider prophylactic treatment of pinworms, which relies on adhering to sustained cleaning principles in fighting off pinworms and other infestations.
Post-diagnostic treatment: misdiagnosis is relatively high in bearded dragons, mainly because these reptiles are infested by a range of worms that cause different infections. Therefore, periodic tests are essential as they reveal pinworm caused infections on time for treatment. A professional exotics veterinary will provide the right pathway needed for treatment.

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Preventing Pinworms in Bearded Dragon

Even if the best preventive measures are set in place, pinworm infestation in bearded dragons is unavoidable. However, the preventive measures below can help lower the risk of pinworm infestation.

Hygiene: since pinworms are commonly found in the stool of bearded dragons, cleaning the tank daily will help prevent the infestation. We highly recommend a two-tank system. That way, your beardie can stay in one while the other is cleaned and left to dry.
Quarantine: if other pets or reptiles are present at home, keep your beardie separated from them to prevent pinworm transference from the pets to your beardie. If you have decided to buy another bearded dragon, don’t be haste to introduce the reptile to your other dragon. Ensure it has been isolated for a couple of days to watch for signs of pinworm infestation.
Wash your hands: even if other pets and your beardie are healthy, it is recommended that you should clean your hands before you handle your bearded dragon to help reduce the risk of pinworm infestation. On the other hand, washing your hands after handling the dragon prevents them from infecting you as well.

Conclusion

Pinworms are common in reptiles and bearded dragons. Good hygiene, properly washing your hands before and after handling your beardie, and quarantining new pets are steps keepers can take to protect their bearded dragons from pinworms infestation.

Although humans and bearded dragons are affected by different parasites, beardies should be handled using worm expellers. You should be safe than sorry.

If you are not sure how to tell if your bearded dragon has pinworms, watch out for symptoms such as lack of appetite, dehydration, and your dragon lying flat. Keep the habitat clean to prevent reinfestation. Treatment involves deworming your dragon and frequently taking it to the vet. Do not treat your dragon at home without the vet’s approval.