from that link i posted
. Owners who are attempting to breed their dragons may present a lizard because she has laid a clutch of eggs, but still appears to have retained some eggs. Examples of managing this condition range from basic supportive care to aggressive calcium supplementation and fluid therapy to hormonal management using oxytocin or prostaglandins to Caesarean section or ovariohysterectomy (ovariosalpingectomy). It is important to differentiate between pre-ovulatory egg stasis and post- ovulatory egg stasis when lizards are presented because treatment for
the two syndromes may differ. Concurrent egg yolk peritonitis can accompany some of these cases as well. Some female bearded dragons may have persistent necrotic ovarian follicles on their ovaries, which may result in coelomic disease and require surgical intervention.
Anorexia, Hepatic Lipidosis, and Brumation
A fatty liver-like syndrome occurs in adult bearded dragons commonly. Typically, these dragons are obese with large abdominal fat pads. Clinical signs are usually anorexia and depression. Adult bearded dragons need approximately 20% of their diet as fat but many captive diets that utilize a large portion of insects are closer to 40% fat. Hepatic lipidosis may result. Blood work is often unremarkable except sometimes AST is elevated and sometimes hyperglycemia is documented. Radiographs and ultrasound may reveal an enlarged liver and possibly ascites. Endoscopic liver biopsy or exploratory celiotomy and iver biopsy will confirm the diagnosis. Hepatic lipidosis in females during egg production is not
pathologic. Treatment involves supportive care including fluid therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotics, lactulose, and assisted feeding. Daily warm water soaks are also beneficial to help with hydration. Clients may need to continue this support at home for 3–4 weeks before the dragon may begin to accept food on its own. Unfortunately, many of these dragons are presented late in the disease cycle and a diagnosis is
made at necropsy. Etiology and techniques for prevention are unknown, but clients should be warned not to over-condition bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons may also refuse food as they start to brumate, or “hibernate” (a state of torpor induced by prolonged spells of low temperatures)—this should not be mistaken for a pathological condition. Low ambient temperatures due to husbandry problems or seasonal changes in the climate have been incriminated as potential causes. Increasing the ambient temperature and eliminating drafts often corrects the problem. If these corrective measures fail to improve the dragon’s appetite, further
investigation is warranted.