Did you know female bearded dragons can develop eggs even if they’ve never been around a male? In fact, they’re not the only exotic species that this can happen to!
Just last month, we saw the life-saving importance of this procedure firsthand when our rescue, Bowser, underwent a preventative ovariectomy.
So, why is it crucial to spay female bearded dragons? What can you expect for your own pets? And how can you support the animals at HTI? We’re explaining it all in today’s blog!
Female Bearded Dragons Are Prone to Reproductive Problems
Bearded dragons have hormonal cycles to prepare for reproduction, typically starting when they’re 2 to 4 years old. But these cycles can be accompanied by a lot of health complications.
- Egg binding (dystocia) usually begins when a female produces eggs but can’t lay them. This could be because the eggs are oversized, malformed, or the dragon is lacking proper nesting conditions. Because the eggs are trapped, they put pressure on internal organs, restrict breathing, and can eventually lead to infections or organ failure.
- Follicular stasis happens when the eggs don’t fully develop due to the beardie experiencing a hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficits, or chronic stress. The retained follicles can cause pain, internal inflammation, and a high risk of infections.
- Ovarian cancer typically develops when abnormal cells form in the ovarian tissue and grow uncontrollably. It’s often undetectable until the tumors become advanced.
- Coelomitis, or inflammation within the body cavity, usually begins when something (like retained eggs) inside the coelom ruptures, leaks, or becomes infected. Once inflammation spreads around the body, it becomes life-threatening.
How Do Bearded Dragon Elective Spays Prevent Health Risks?
A bearded dragon ovariectomy is essentially a planned surgery where a veterinarian removes the ovaries before any reproductive complications show up. By removing the ovaries, you’re removing the source of egg production—and the associated risks—altogether.
Plus, preventative surgery is significantly safer than emergency surgery! When a bearded dragon is already sick, stressed, or full of retained eggs, surgery becomes much riskier.
What to Expect from an Ovariectomy
When preparing for a bearded dragon ovariectomy, it’s important to consider the expertise of the veterinarian. We recommend only taking pet reptiles and amphibians to a trained exotic veterinarian to ensure a higher success rate. These vets work with reptiles regularly, so they will better understand the anatomy and physiology of your pet!
Thanks to modern surgical techniques and improved anesthetics, this procedure has become increasingly safer for bearded dragons. Clinics use specialized tools, monitoring equipment, and gentle anesthesia protocols designed specifically for reptiles.
After an ovariectomy, dragons typically need a few weeks of rest, limited climbing, and a clean, warm environment to recover.
Does Electing to Get an Ovariectomy Matter?
When a surgery is planned before complications arise, your dragon is healthy going into it, which makes for a safer recovery afterward. This will also save you, as the pet-parent, a lot of stress and unexpected veterinary bills later on.
Emergency surgeries are typically more complex, expensive, and emotionally draining. Elective care allows you to plan, budget, and keep your pet comfortable the whole time!
The Expertise Behind the Procedure: UTCVM’s Role
We feel extremely blessed to be able to partner with such a powerful and renowned vet program – the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTVCM).
UTVCM’s team is deeply involved with researching advanced anesthesia protocols and innovative surgical techniques for the safety and well-being of exotic species. And they continue to raise the bar for the standards of exotic pet care! Which is exactly why we’ll continue to partner with UTCVM for all of our exotic veterinary care.
Promoting Safe Practices for Bearded Dragons
Our team at the Healthy Trade Institute is working diligently to keep reptiles and amphibians across the country safe and healthy. To continue rehoming surrendered animals and providing the highest-quality care, we need your help!
Every donation HTI receives goes toward rescued animal housing, care, elective surgeries, and education for pet businesses and owners. Learn more about our mission through our website!