Why Is My Dragon Not Moving?

If your dragon is not moving, it's a serious indicator that something is wrong and typically requires immediate attention from a qualified reptile veterinarian. This immobility or severe weakness can stem from various health issues, with metabolic bone disease (MBD) and gastrointestinal (GI) impaction being two of the most common and critical conditions.

Understanding Common Causes for Immobility

A dragon's inability to move is often a sign of significant discomfort, pain, or systemic illness. Here are the primary reasons your reptile might be exhibiting this concerning symptom:

1. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Metabolic Bone Disease, also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, is a complex and unfortunately common disorder in pet bearded dragons, especially juveniles. It occurs due to an imbalance in the calcium-phosphorus ratio, inadequate vitamin D3 synthesis (often from insufficient UVB lighting), or insufficient dietary calcium.

Symptoms of MBD include:

Weakness or lethargy: Your dragon may appear tired and unwilling to move.
Shaking, tremors, or twitching: Especially noticeable in limbs.
Soft or rubbery jaw/limbs: Bones become weak and malformed.
Swollen joints: Painful and can hinder movement.
Bowed limbs or spinal deformities: In advanced stages.
Fractures: Bones become brittle and break easily.
Inability to lift body or move: Leading to complete immobility.

Prevention and Solutions:

Proper UVB Lighting: Ensure your dragon has appropriate UVB lighting (e.g., fluorescent tube T5 or mercury vapor bulb) that is replaced every 6-12 months, depending on the type, as UVB output degrades over time.
Calcium Supplementation: Dust insects with a calcium supplement without D3 at most feedings, and a calcium supplement with D3 a few times a week, as recommended by your vet.
Balanced Diet: Offer a varied diet of appropriate feeder insects and leafy greens.
Veterinary Care: If MBD is suspected, immediate veterinary consultation is crucial for diagnosis and treatment, which may include calcium injections, oral supplements, and husbandry adjustments.

For more information on MBD, you can refer to resources like the Veterinary Partner article on Metabolic Bone Disease.

2. Gastrointestinal (GI) Impaction

GI impaction occurs when indigestible material blocks a dragon's digestive tract, preventing normal bowel movements. This can be extremely painful and life-threatening if not addressed promptly.

Common causes of impaction include:

Ingesting inappropriate substrate: Such as sand, calcium sand, crushed walnut shells, or other loose particles.
Feeding oversized prey items: Insects too large for your dragon to digest properly.
Dehydration: Insufficient water intake can make stools hard and difficult to pass.
Low basking temperatures: Dragons rely on external heat to digest food efficiently. If temperatures are too low, food ferments and can lead to impaction.

Symptoms of GI impaction include:

Lack of defecation: No bowel movements for several days.
Loss of appetite: Refusing to eat.
Lethargy and weakness: Your dragon may appear very tired and unable to move.
Distended or firm abdomen: The belly may feel hard or swollen.
Straining to defecate: Attempts to pass stool without success.
Inability to move: Due to pain and systemic illness.

Prevention and Solutions:

Appropriate Substrate: Use solid substrates like reptile carpet, tile, newspaper, or non-adhesive shelf liner. Avoid loose substrates, especially for juveniles.
Proper Prey Size: Feed insects no larger than the space between your dragon's eyes.
Hydration: Provide fresh water daily and offer regular baths to encourage drinking and aid digestion.
Correct Temperatures: Ensure basking spots reach the optimal range (e.g., 95-105°F for bearded dragons) and ambient temperatures are maintained.
Veterinary Care: An impacted dragon requires immediate veterinary attention. Treatment may involve warm soaks, fluid therapy, laxatives, or in severe cases, surgery.

You can learn more about impaction in reptiles from resources like the Reptiles Magazine article on impaction.

Other Potential Reasons for Immobility

While MBD and impaction are critical, other factors can also lead to a dragon not moving:

Inadequate Temperatures: Reptiles are ectothermic, meaning they rely on their environment for heat. If the enclosure is too cold, your dragon's metabolism will slow down drastically, leading to extreme lethargy, poor digestion, and an inability to move.
- Solution: Check and correct all basking and ambient temperatures using reliable thermometers.
Dehydration: Chronic dehydration can lead to lethargy, weakness, and can exacerbate impaction.
- Solution: Offer daily fresh water, provide baths, and ensure humidity levels are appropriate for the species.
Parasites or Infections: Internal parasites (like pinworms or coccidia) or bacterial/viral infections can cause systemic illness, leading to weakness and immobility.
- Solution: Only a veterinarian can diagnose and treat parasites or infections through fecal exams and appropriate medication.
Injury: A fall or impact could result in a broken bone, internal injury, or neurological damage, causing pain and inability to move.
- Solution: Carefully inspect your dragon for visible injuries and seek veterinary care.
Stress: Severe environmental stress from improper husbandry, bullying by other dragons, or frequent handling can lead to withdrawal and lethargy.
- Solution: Review husbandry, ensure proper enclosure setup, and minimize stressors.
Brumation (Natural Dormancy): Some species, like bearded dragons, naturally enter a period of reduced activity and appetite during cooler, shorter days. While they might move less, they usually respond to handling and aren't completely immobile or showing signs of illness.
- Distinction: Brumation is a gradual process, and the dragon should appear healthy otherwise. If it's sudden, accompanied by other symptoms, or the dragon is a juvenile, it's likely not brumation.

What to Do If Your Dragon Is Not Moving

Assess the Environment: Immediately check all temperatures (basking spot, cool side, ambient) with a reliable thermometer. Ensure UVB lighting is working and within its lifespan.
Observe for Other Symptoms: Look for signs of impaction (distended belly, no stool), MBD (shaking, swollen limbs), injury, or unusual breathing.
Offer a Warm Bath: A shallow, warm (not hot) bath can encourage hydration and sometimes aid in passing stool if impaction is mild.
Contact a Reptile Veterinarian: Regardless of your initial assessment, a dragon that is not moving requires urgent veterinary attention. These animals often hide signs of illness until they are critically ill, so prompt action is vital.

Summary of Potential Causes

Condition	Key Symptoms	Contributing Factors	Urgency
Metabolic Bone Disease	Weakness, tremors, swollen joints, rubbery jaw/limbs, inability to move, deformities	Inadequate UVB, insufficient calcium, improper calcium-phosphorus ratio	High
GI Impaction	No defecation, lethargy, loss of appetite, distended abdomen, straining, immobility	Ingesting inappropriate substrate, oversized prey, dehydration, low temperatures	High
Inadequate Temperatures	Extreme lethargy, slow metabolism, no movement	Malfunctioning heat sources, incorrect wattage/bulb type	High
Dehydration	Sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, lethargy, weakness	Insufficient water, low humidity, poor diet	Medium-High
Parasites/Infections	Lethargy, weight loss, abnormal stool, weakness, poor appetite	Poor hygiene, contaminated food, stress	High
Injury	Visible trauma, pain, lameness, swelling	Falls, accidents, aggressive enclosure mates	High
Stress	Withdrawal, hiding, lack of appetite, lethargy	Improper habitat, overcrowding, excessive handling, environmental changes	Medium
Brumation (natural)	Reduced activity/appetite, healthy appearance (seasonal)	Seasonal changes (cooler temperatures, shorter days)	Low (monitor)

If your dragon is not moving, it is a critical sign demanding immediate professional veterinary evaluation. Early intervention can significantly improve the outcome for your beloved pet.