There are no other recognized subspecies of Chinese Water Dragon, but there are other similar lizard species, the closest genetic relative being the Australian Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii).
The Chinese Water Dragon is also known by the names Asian, Green, and Thai Water Dragon.
Chinese water dragons are active, intelligent lizards that make great pets when properly cared for. However they can develop health problems that require swift treatment. Learning to recognize signs of illness and taking quick action can help sick dragons recover.
Common Signs of Illness
Some common symptoms that indicate a Chinese water dragon may be unwell include
- Lethargy and sleeping more than usual
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or bloody stool
- Wheezing, gaping, or making clicking noises
- Bubbling mucus around the nose, mouth, or eyes
- Sunken eyes
- Inability to poop
- Swollen body or limbs
- Mouth sores or cheesy discharge around the mouth
Severe lethargy, not moving for extended periods, and a swollen or misshapen body may signal a critical situation requiring emergency veterinary care
Top Diseases and Conditions
Several diseases and conditions frequently affect the health of pet Chinese water dragons. Being able to recognize the signs can help owners seek proper treatment.
Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease is caused by improper calcium metabolism, often due to vitamin D3 deficiency. Signs include weak bones, muscle twitching, bent spine, and open mouth. Prevent with proper UVB lighting and calcium supplementation. Severe cases may require calcium injections and supportive care.
Parasites
Intestinal parasites like nematodes, tapeworms, and protozoa can cause weight loss, appetite loss, smelly diarrhea, and even death. An annual fecal test can catch parasites early. Treatment may require anthelmintic medication and tank disinfection. Prevent reinfection by quarantining new dragons.
Respiratory Infection
Symptoms of respiratory infection include mucus bubbles, wheezing, gaping mouth, puffy appearance, and lethargy. Caused by cold temperatures or high humidity. Raise basking area temperature, lower humidity, and improve ventilation. Vet may prescribe antibiotics.
Mouth Rot
Cheesy discharge around the mouth signals mouth rot, a bacterial infection. Caused by damaged snout or weakened immune system. Gently clean mouth with diluted antiseptic. Vet can provide antibiotic treatment and pain medication if needed.
Egg Binding
Egg binding happens when a female can’t pass her eggs. Signs include lethargy, swelling, and straining. Make sure she has a proper nesting box and calcium supplementation. Seek immediate vet care as it can be fatal if untreated. The eggs may need surgical removal.
Skin Infections
Skin infections cause blisters, patches, and swelling. Keep the enclosure clean and dry. Apply antiseptic soaks at home. Vet can provide medication for fungal or bacterial infections.
When to See a Veterinarian
At the first sign of illness, schedule a veterinary visit, especially for potentially serious issues like egg binding, bone disease, or respiratory infection. For less severe cases like simple mouth rot, try home treatment for 1-2 days and see a vet if it doesn’t quickly improve. But don’t delay too long, as many illnesses can rapidly worsen.
To find an experienced reptile vet, check listings from the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. Describe all your dragon’s symptoms in detail. The vet will examine your dragon and may run lab tests on blood, skin, or stool samples. Follow their expert recommendations to help your water dragon recover and get back to full health.
With attentive care and prompt treatment when required, pet Chinese water dragons can thrive for many years in captivity. Learning to spot signs of illness early goes a long way in ensuring your dragon lives a happy and healthy life.
Chinese Water Dragon Care Level
Chinese water dragons make good pets for those with some reptile experience as well as for more advanced herpetoculturists. They are quite friendly, as far as reptiles are concerned, but Chinese water dragons require a great deal of commitment in terms of time and resources, so make sure you’ve given the matter enough consideration before deciding to buy one as a pet.
Chinese Water Dragon Health
Owning a healthy pet Chinese water dragon begins with the selection. We always recommend buying pets from reputable breeders or pet shops. Always opt for captive-bred over wild-caught because imported, wild-caught dragons may not adapt well to captivity. Plus, they usually come crawling with internal and external parasites. Once you’ve brought your new pet home, maintaining a clean habitat is paramount to its health. Just like any pet, there are several health concerns to be on the lookout for in your pet dragon.
The following is a short summary of Chinese water dragon diseases and disorders.
Mouth rot is one of the most common health problems and is typically the result of a secondary infection that isn’t treated properly, or an injury that goes untreated. Water dragons often rub or bang their head/nose/chin into the walls of the enclosure. This behavior commonly causes rub sores that can lead to full mouth rot. Signs that your Chinese water dragon may have mouth rot are swelling around the mouth, open ulcers at the mouth or nose, and white curd-like secretions around the mouth. As soon as you notice any of these symptoms you should see your reptile vet immediately. Also, try to give your dragon the largest anclosure possible so they are less inclined to rub against the walls.
Metabolic Bone Disease, also known as MBD, is an extremely serious and often fatal disease for these animals. It is caused either by a lack of calcium in the dragon’s diet or inadequate exposure to UVB light. Signs that your dragon may have contracted MBD include twitching, lethargy, fractured bones, muscle spasms, and swelling of the legs or back. The best solution for MBD is prevention; usually all it takes is to dust every other meal with calcium powder and to always provide exposure to sunlight and/or UVB light. If you see symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease in your Chinese water dragon, see your veterinarian immediately.
When Chinese Water Dragons become stressed it’s easy for parasites to multiply beyond the capability of the dragon’s body to handle. The only way to tell what kind of parasites your dragon has is to see your vet for a fecal exam. Signs that your dragon may be suffering from a parasite infestation include lethargy, loose stools, decreased appetite, dull eyes, failure to gain weight, and, rarely, finding worms in the stool.
Bacterial and fungal infections are usually a result of a dirty, poorly maintained cage. They appear as dark-colored patches on the skin that can be raised and/or filled with fluid. It’s crucial that as soon as you notice signs of a skin infection that you take your dragon to the vet. Only your veterinarian can prescribe the proper medication.
Do not try to treat a skin infection without your veterinarian’s advice. If the infection isn’t treated in time it will spread to the dragon’s bloodstream and become fatal. Always maintain proper hygiene in your Chinese water dragon’s habitat and allow the cage to fully dry out between mistings to prevent the growth and spread of fungus and bacteria.
Female dragons lay eggs even if they haven’t mated with males. Occasionally, a condition called dystocia or “egg binding,” may occur. Dystocia is a life-threatening condition in which the dragon is unable to pass her eggs. If you see signs of dystocia in your female dragon(s) seek veterinary assistance immediately. It is crucial that you set up an adequate egg laying box in the dragon’s enclosure, and that you do so early enough to prevent egg binding.
Signs that your dragon may have dystocia include lethargy, weakness, and frenzied digging, as if looking for a place to lay eggs.
Common issues in Water Dragons
FAQ
Why isn’t my Chinese water dragon eating?
–Lizards may not eat normally due to emotional or physiological stress. Changes in environment such a new tank or changes in décor, or changes in lighting, temperature or diet might trigger temporary disinterest in food.
Why is my Chinese water dragon turning brown?
Water dragons are diurnal (more active during the day) and arboreal (“tree-dwelling”) reptiles that enjoy spending their days exploring trees. When humidity and temperatures change, water dragons can change color from green to brown.
How long can Chinese water dragons go without eating?
The feeding frequency largely depends on the animal’s age. Juvenile Chinese water dragons need to be fed more frequently than adults to promote healthy growth, while adults require fewer feedings. Juveniles usually require daily feedings, while adults may only need to be fed every two to three days.
Do water dragons carry diseases?
Keeping Water Dragons also presents the same zoonotic risks presented by all animals in captivity; zoonotic infection can occur from contact with organisms such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi as well as internal and external invertebrate parasites.