Are bearded dragons high-maintenance? Do they fall sick often? How much is a vet visit for a bearded dragon? How much do they cost?
We’re here to tend to your queries.
Bearded dragons are easy pets to keep, provided you know how to take care of them. If you are still unsure about whether to purchase one or how much their upkeep will cost you, particularly the vet visits, we’re here to help.
This article discusses everything you need to know about the cost of a vet visit for your bearded dragon and the factors affecting it.
How Much Is a Vet Visit for a Bearded Dragon?
A visit to the vet can cost you anywhere from $50-$100, depending on the issue you come up with.
We’re not talking about severe health cases or injuries here, though.
When the vet has determined your beardie’s health, they can advise better. The medical expenses will increase if your pet becomes unstable and requires immediate medical attention.
Do Bearded Dragons Need to Go to the Vet?
Yes, they do. Beardies require veterinary care occasionally.
Immediately after purchasing your beardie, you should visit a vet for a check-up.
If your beardie has a health problem, getting checked by a vet will allow for a thorough diagnosis. This will prevent the sickness or health condition from worsening.
Secondly, most bearded dragons are not provided with the proper care. They are often kept in cramped cages and are given a poor diet and little to no exercise. This can lead to multiple health problems, including a poor immune system and diseases that the pet might have picked up from nearby animals.
Apart from this, what other signs should prompt you to see a veterinarian?
Loss of Appetite
Perhaps one of the most common issues that beardies suffer from is loss of appetite.
Lack of nutrition can lead to a loss of appetite. Ensure your bearded dragon receives a balanced diet to ensure its digestive system works efficiently.
To enhance your beardie’s metabolism, consider supplementing its diet with calcium powder.
Secondly, watch out for vitamin deficiencies. This will require you to visit a vet so they can conduct blood tests. If your beardie suffers from a deficiency, supplement its diet with the necessary vitamins, and your pet will be up to speed in no time.
Breathing
If you see your beardie finding it difficult to breathe normally, it’s time to visit a vet. This is a fairly obvious indication, so we don’t think you’ll be able to miss it if this happens.
Walking Oddly
By any chance, is your beardie walking oddly? This could indicate that your beardie is either lethargic or suffering from a foot-related problem.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is caused by digestive problems. If your bearded dragon has suffered from diarrhea for a long time, it is in your best interest to consult a vet. Since this is abnormal, prolonged diarrhea could be caused by a poor digestive system or a compromised immune system.
Brumation
Most pet owners might be oblivious to this word. Brumation is when a dragon enters deep sleep mode.
During this period, the beardie will refuse to eat anything because its digestive system is sleeping as well, so to speak. Therefore, do not force your bearded dragon to eat.
Confirming this from a professional veterinarian is better to ensure your suspicion is correct. Look for other behaviors such as hiding, sleeping more than usual, not using the bathroom very often, and avoiding contact.
How Often Do Bearded Dragons Go to the Vet?
It is better to visit a vet every 6-12 months for a check-up. Regular checkups are necessary because they increase the chances of early detection in the case of a disease.
If your beardie suffers from a vitamin deficiency, the vet can prescribe a supplement to fortify your pet’s immune system. This will prevent sickness and disease from bypassing the immune system.
As discussed above, you do not need to worry if your bearded dragon has entered the brumation phase.
However, if you have a young beardie, it is not suitable for them to enter brumation. If you suspect that their behavior is not normal, ask a vet for assistance.
How Much Does Bearded Dragon Care Cost?
“Care” is a very broad term. Generally, everything that the bearded dragon needs (healthcare included) may cost you less than $500.
The majority of this cost will be taken up by the beardie enclosure. Since these dragons are used to roaming around on land, the bigger the enclosure, the better.
You will also need substrate to make the beardie feel at home. The price of the substrate will depend on the quality you buy and the size of the enclosure you have.
Thirdly, proper lighting is necessary to keep your beardie stable. Lighting and heating will ensure that your beardie stays in tip-top shape. A heat lamp will cost you between $20-$30, whereas lighting may dent your wallet by around $50.
As the quality of the items increases, the price will go up. But high-quality items are a bonus because they will provide your beardie with optimal living conditions, preventing sickness and disease in the long term.
How to Help Lower the Cost of Your Bearded Dragon’s Visit?
Every pet owner out there is looking to reduce their costs. We’ve got a few things that you can watch out for to ensure that your next visit to the vet doesn’t cost you more than what you bargained for.
Diet
First and foremost, the most important thing you need to consider is your bearded dragon’s diet. We discussed a balanced diet above, but what does a balanced diet look like?
A decent portion of greens, vegetables, some fruits, and protein is what is referred to as a balanced diet. In the wild, bearded dragons have all sorts of food available to them. From worms and such to fruits and vegetables, this is what you want to replicate at home.
A healthy bearded dragon needs to be fed thrice daily. Regarding protein, you can provide your beardie with just about any insect. They like eating mealworms, slugs, grasshoppers, earthworms, and other common insects.
Fruits and vegetables such as apples, watermelon, cucumbers, bananas (very rarely), peas, sweet potatoes, and broccoli (broken down into little pieces) will support the immune and digestive systems.
If you can get your hands on some berries, that’s a cherry on top. They contain antioxidants that will boost your beardie’s health.
You can always supplement your bearded dragon’s health with vitamins and calcium powder (coat the insects) to support bone health and prevent bone-related diseases.
Heating & Lighting
Pay attention to the living conditions in your bearded dragon’s artificial environment. Bearded dragons require an adequate amount of lighting and heating to stay stable.
The temperature should range from 95-110 ℉ during basking and 80-90 ℉ when it is time to cool down.
Purchase a high-quality thermometer to check the temperatures occasionally.
Use a heat basking lamp. They are excellent at providing sufficient heat to beardies. These lamps come in various shapes and styles; choose the one that goes easy on your wallet.
We don’t recommend using heat rocks because they can burn your pet.
Regular Checkups
What’s better? Paying a meager amount every few months or letting go of a massive amount at once? We think you know what we’re talking about.
It is always better to go for regular checkups (every 6 months or so) when it comes to bearded dragons. This will save your pet from getting in harm’s way while saving you a lot of money.
Exercise
Take your bearded dragon out for a stroll regularly. A well-exercised pet beardie will have a higher chance of living longer and avoiding major illnesses and diseases.
You can purchase a special leash for your bearded dragon. Visit your local park or take your adorable beardie to the beach.
Make sure that your pet walks for an ample amount of time. This will assist the digestive system in working better.
Apart from this, you can take your pet for a ride to boost its mood and to help it stay active. Remember to bring snacks, water, and your pet’s enclosure when you go out.
Conclusion
By now, we’re sure you’re equipped with enough knowledge to take care of your bearded dragon regarding healthcare and vet support.
Don’t worry if you run into a health problem; bearded dragons are resilient animals that can live for more than 10 years if taken care of properly.
