Saggy beard, or health problem?

[Jf123]

Hi Everybody,

I got a bearded dragon just over a week ago. She is supposedly a juvenile (thought to be around 7 months). She seems very healthy, eating lots of crickets, however, not as many veggies as I would like.

Problem is she has a really saggy beard. I was reading a book about beardies and it said they can develop goiters. I am worried that she either has a goiter, or something stuck in her throat.

She is pretty active and adventurous, lots of tongue tasting. As mentioned she eats tons of crickets. I dust these crickets in multivitamins and calcium every feed, as she is still a juvenile. She is fast on her feet and moves around well. I'm just worried something is wrong with her healthy because of her saggy beard.

I would really appreciate any advice. I will attach many photos.

Best,

Jon

 

[kingofnobbys]

SHe's fine.

HER beard and throat looks OK to me.

 

[Jf123]

@kingofnobbys

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate the reassurance. Glad she looks ok!

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree. She looks nice and healthy. Nice bright orange beard too - shows she's in a good mood and happy =)

 

[AHBD]

Congrats on your new dragon ! But....this dragon is already overweight. Even at 7 months they can overeat [ people may tell you it's impossible but that's like saying that an overweight teenager is impossible] you definitely should cut down on the feeder insects for this dragon to stay healthy. Best wishes !

 

[Jf123]

Congrats on your new dragon ! But....this dragon is already overweight. Even at 7 months they can overeat [ people may tell you it's impossible but that's like saying that an overweight teenager is impossible] you definitely should cut down on the feeder insects for this dragon to stay healthy. Best wishes !

Thank you I really appreicate your advice. I agree. I have tried all sorts of leafy greens and I can't get her to eat them, at least a significant amount of them. I have even tried mixing in little bits of mango, I don't want to feed her too much fruit (once a week type thing). I've tried sweet potatoes as well. Do you have any advice on how to get her to eat her leafy greens in bulk?

Thanks so much and I will cut down the crickets a bit.

 

[AHBD]

She will eventually eat some, cutting down on the insects is the important thing now though. That itself may prompt her to eat more greens. You can hold off on bugs for 2 days in a row for a few weeks and only offer greens.

 

[KevinsMom33]

Problem is she has a really saggy beard. I was reading a book about beardies and it said they can develop goiters. I am worried that she either has a goiter, or something stuck in her throat.

She's gorgeous - she doesn't have a saggy beard!! (you'll give a girl a complex :lol: :lol: ) she's looks great, she's supposed to have that look - its not goiters - she looks very healthy actually, they need those fat reserves in case of lack available food. Not that she has to worry about that... just keep a nice fresh bowl of salad (collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion, green beans, squash, red bell peppers - they seem to LOVE red - etc) always available to her, she'll munch away - they naturally start eating more salads as they get older.. and I agree with AHBD- maybe cut down on the feeders to every other day...

 

[AHBD]

It's not goiters but is def. overweight. Not to say it's very unhealthy right now but if overfed will def. be an obese dragon causing health problems down the road. Here's what a healthy sub adult/large juvie throat area should look like.

https://www.beardeddragon.org/media/29943/full