Phillip Done

You would generally see a pet owner walking a dog or a cat in public places. But have you ever seen one tagging along with a bearded dragon with a leash on its neck? You may have not yet seen one, but for many dragon pet owners, this is becoming a trend. You might even soon see a few walking their beardies along the park.

The bearded dragon that has long inhabited the arid woodlands and deserts of center Australia is now a well-favored pet among keepers. Their docile and interesting personality and trait enticed many animal lovers in many parts of the world. As they live for more than ten years (the oldest, Sebastian, was 18 when it died in 2016), you will have more than enough time to cherish this gentle creature should you decide to own one.

There are several things that you need to consider when deciding to look for the best-bearded dragon for a pet. These include the habitat set up, the dragon’s diet and caring for the bearded dragon. This exotic reptile loves to bask in the sun in their original habitat. Once you have them boarded in their cage, you will also have to set up the right lighting, temperature, and humidity for the dragon so that they will remain healthy longer. They need much of the heat during the day to help them control their body temperature. This will allow them to synthesize the food that they eat.

If you give them time to roam around in the sun, they will surely be happy to have a stroll with you. Of course, you wouldn’t want your dragon to stray away. That’s the reason why a good bearded dragon leash is what you will need to feel safe while keeping your beardie.

Since you are on this page tells me that you are looking for pertinent information about handling your bearded dragon using a leash. Read on then and you will also learn the things that you should and should not do when it comes to using a leash for a pet reptile like a bearded dragon.

Things to consider when choosing a best bearded dragon leash. There are several varieties of bearded dragon leash that you may see online or at brick and mortar retail stores. You should not just grab one because you like the color of the leash, or because it is the only store where a leash is available. You have to make sure that you get a good leash. You wouldn’t want to hurt your dragon when testing it, right? Then, you have to take the time to find the best leash for your beardie.

This guide will help you pick a good one, make sure that consider all these factors when finding the best-fitted dragon leash for your pet. One of the best marketplace for this find will be Amazon.com. You’ll find hundreds of variety from different sellers. You will even get to read reviews from other people who bought the same item. Just make sure that you verify that the reviews posted are reviews from real buyers of the item you are considering to buy, however.

Opt for one that has a good rating, perhaps considered as Amazon’s best seller or recommended product. Don’t just pick one because it’s the cheapest, though. There are other factors that should also come into play when deciding which beardie leash will do well for your pet.

The material

Your leash can choke your beardie or  if you are you are not able to find the right leash that is made with a material that is not soft enough that won’t hurt your beardie.

The size

Consider buying a leash in two sizes depending on what you need. A longer leash will allow you  a safe distance from your pet yet will allow the dragon to have more freedom to walk around

The color

You might also need to consider buying a few in a variety of colors (bright color leash are preferable). This will allow you to keep the extra leashes when they are not in use.  Change the leash with a different color when you have to wash the other leash.

The design

Opt for one that will be easy to put or take off your dragon. Just make sure that it will stay put on the dragon’s body and will not let your pet to slip out of it.

The packaging

It’s best if you can find one with a support email address together with an instruction manual or, perhaps, a link to a digital step-by-step picture guide on how to use the leash. If you will have any problem with your purchase, you can easily send them an email. Fortunately, most sellers on Amazon may also be contacted directly on their pages. You can even upload your review (text or video) for other future buyers to refer to.

Things that you should not do when using the leash on your dragon

Never walk your bearded dragon like a dog. Note that you want to allow your experience to enjoy the sun and everything outside. Let your pet dragon explore and enjoy a new found environment.

Never pull on the dragon’s leash. Even if the material may not hurt your pet, but the force that you may have applied on the leash may choke him or scratch his skin off. Be sure to pull very gently and slowly.

Never make the leash “just a little bit tighter”. Just allow the leash to rest firmly but not tightly that your pet may feel so uncomfortable in it.

Never let your guard down. Your pet is a great explorer. Do not let it wander off too quickly and too far from you that you will have a hard time catching up with it. Also, take note of any birds above who may be on the lookout for their next prey. You also need to keep your dragon off anything that it may want to nibble off the ground. There may be insects and plants along the way, but you are not sure whether they may have brushed off with anything that has toxic chemicals in it, so keep your pet away from them.

Your dragon will be glad if you find the right leash for it, so take time to look around and find one that will best provide the comfort and satisfaction that one can provide for your pet.

Even animals in the desert can have parasites living in their bodies. The most common parasites found in reptiles are known as the Nematodes, which is more commonly known as ringworms. The most common of these nematodes found in lizards are “Kalicephalus, Parapharyngodon, Physaloptera, Physalopteroides venancioi, Rhabdias, Spauligodon oxkutzcabiensis, Dracunculus, and Strongyluris.” These nematodes have been found in about 500 types of reptiles. These parasitic organisms can infect a reptile’s  bloodstream. It can be found in the lungs, liver, and other parts of the body. They can just lay their eggs and both the larvae and the mother Nematode will feed on wherever they are in your body. Once a large infestation happens and is not treated right way, it could be fatal to your pet.

Signs that a reptile, like your bearded dragon, is infected with nematodes

A reptile may display different symptoms depending on the type of nematode as well as the place of infestation. Here are some of the symptoms that accompany particular nematode types.

1. Kalicephalus, Parapharyngodon, Physaloptera, Physalopteroides venancioi, Rhabdias, Spauligodon oxkutzcabiensis

• Nausea
• Vomiting or regurgitating food
• Diarrhea
• Infective lesions
• Depression
• Lethargy

2. Dracunculus

• Skin lesions anywhere on the body
• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Sudden death

3. Strongylus vulgaris in horses

• Agitation
• Abnormal Breathing
• Weakness
• Cheerlessness
• Diarrhea

What may cause a parasitic infection like that of a nematode?

Nematode infestation in lizards is usually caused by one or more of these reasons:

• Eating food matters that are already infested with nematodes
• Co-habitation or a large group of lizards co-existing in the same enclosure
• Lesion in the skin
• Passage through the vent
• Unsanitary health and enclosure

How are lizards with Nematodes diagnosed?

To determine the severity of the infestation, a vet will diagnose your lizard. The diagnosis will include a complete physical examination and will check vital signs, body condition, as well as the overall health of your pet.

The veterinarian may also require radiographs (x-rays) or an ultrasound to identify where the infestation occurred as well as the severity of the suspected infestation. Laboratory testing will also be required. Blood count and chemistry panel, urinalysis, and even a liver enzyme culture may likewise be required. A stool sample will also be made to check fecal floatation (eggs of the nematodes do not float), sedimentation culture, and also a microscopic analysis of its fecal smear.  The vet will also determine if it is necessary to have a lung, cloacal, or gastric wash to identify the type of nematode that is infesting the reptile’s body.

Treating nematode infestation is crucial. If a reptile is left untreated the reptile’s health may be compromised. It may also lead to the lizard’s death. Because of this parasite’s pervasive nature, various drugs have been formulated to treat an infestation.

Fenbendazole: A Common Nematode Infestation Treatment

Fenbendazole is a drug usually prescribed by veterinarians as a cure for nematode infestation. It is a broad spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic that is orally administered to reptiles and other mammals that get infected with worms. It’s used for the removal and control of worms like roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, aelurostrongylus, paragonimiasis, whipworms, tapeworms, strongyles and strongyloides.

This anthelmintic formula is  widely used in veterinary medicine as it has been observed to be effective not only on fully grown worms but also on larval and even those that are in the encysted stages. It also has an effective ovicidal effect and decreases egg production by sterilizing the worm.

Fenbendazole is considered the safest dewormer that can be used not only for reptiles like the bearded dragon. It can also effectively eradicate worm infestation in other animals like dogs, cats, and even to larger animals like lambs, cow, and horses. The drug is available in both liquid and paste form. This drug is known by its generic name Panacur.

Panacur is considered to be quite mild. Side effects are rarely heard of. Overdosing is quite impossible as it has been reported that even dosages more than 10 times the prescription can easily be tolerated by the reptile and other animal being treated with the drug.

Dosing instructions are indicated in the drug’s packaging. It should be stored in a tightly sealed container at room temperature.

In combination with the treatment, you must clean the cage, gutter, food tray. Choose the best food for Bearded Dragon, full of nutrients for them to grow and you have to control the diet, avoid the unbalanced diet that causes disease to grow.

How It Fenbendazole Works

Once administered to the reptile, the drug interrupts the parasites’ cellular transport and metabolism. It also lessens the parasites’ energy reserves as well as limit their ability to eliminate waste. It also provides a protective effect from the parasites’ cells.

If your reptile is showing signs of infestation, you need to bring your pet to a veterinarian right away for proper diagnosis and administration of the right treatment as well.

You may just think it is just natural to see some yellow tinge on your nails. You might even pass it as a discoloration caused by your regular salon visits for a fresh manicure and pedicure. If you knew that this could signal something else, you will do something about it right away. Yes, the yellow discoloration that starts to form at the tips of your nails could actually be manifestations of a fungal infection called onychomycosis.

If left untreated, the fungi on your nails will soon multiply. Once the infection becomes severe, your nails may get too thick and may even cause your nails to crack and be painful at times. By then, you might need more intense treatment to get rid of the fungi totally. But even before that happens, you should know how to prevent best fungal nail treatment.

Tips On How To Prevent and Treat Nail Fungus

1. Keep your feet and hands clean and moist-free Fungi thrive in warm and moist places.

That means you will need to keep your hands and your feet clean and dry. Make sure that everything you put on them is also clean and sanitized. Your gloves, socks, stockings, and pantyhose, and even your shoes may just be the next breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and fungus. Alternate wearing these items with any of their alternate items (i.e closed shoes and open-toed footwear or another pair of shoes, etc.).

You may also need to sprinkle an antifungal powder or apply an antifungal cream on your feet to provide double protection to your nails and your feet. Once your socks become damp with sweat after a workout or from wearing shoes for some time, make sure you change them.

2. Soak your dirty socks, pantyhose, and stockings in a disinfectant before washing

To make sure that all the bacteria, germs, and fungi that are still clinging on the threads of your socks, pantyhose, and stockings are eliminated totally, soak them first in a disinfectant solution.

3. Soak your feet in a vinegar solution

If you notice that there are some white or yellowish spots on your nails, it will help to dissolve the fungi that might be have started to settle there with a weak acid solution. Mix two parts vinegar to four parts water. Soak your feet in the solution for about thirty minutes before taking a bath.

4. Protect your nails

Unnecessary pressure, even improperly cutting your nails may create a small wound or cut. This can create an opening for the fungi. You also need to make sure that you are wearing shoes that are not too tight or too big. Both will create unnecessary pressure to your nails and your heels. Once your nails or your skin get damaged, fungi can start to thrive. Finally, when cleaning your nails and your feet, be careful that you don’t brush your skin and your nails too hard or you may damage your nails, nail beds, or your skin.

5. Protect your immune system

A weak immune system makes you more prone to fungal and other types of infections. Make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle to boost your immune system. Allow your body to have at least 7 hours of sleep. Exercise, drink regularly, eat foods that will help boost the immune system, and learn to manage stress well. With a healthy immune system, your body can easily defend itself from any external and internal microorganisms that may strive to harm it.

6. Soak your foot in saline solution

Here’s another quick and easy home remedy you can do to prevent or treat nail fungus. This preventive solution can also lessen perspiration and soften the skin while creating a hostile environment for the fungus. Soak your feet in warm water mixed with salt (two teaspoons of salt per pint of water) for about 10 to 15 minutes after a bath or before you apply an antifungal medication.

7. Have your nails done properly

Salons which are usually filled with customers can be a hot spot for fungi. If you need to have your nails done, make sure that you find a well-sanitized salon. Observe how they use and clean their tools. You may also need to inquire if they hold a safety inspection certificate. It would be best if you can bring your own nail polish to make sure that your nails won’t be painted with nail polish from bottles that have long been opened.

You have to take the health of your nails seriously. If ever you see possible signs of fungal infection, make sure to apply the proper medication right away. If your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worst, see a podiatrist immediately.