We all love our pets, and we do our best to keep them safe and healthy. Bearded dragons are mainly reptiles that are easy to be fond of because of their exciting personality. They might be wild animals in their typical habitats, but we still need to give them the care they deserve.
Bearded dragons are not normal pets like dogs or cats, which may lead to pet owners being entirely confused about what is happening to their bodies. Such of that are clogged pores. You might think these are just regular wax you can wipe off, but these should be given attention too!
The Femoral Pores
Did you know? In the wild, this waxy secretion from the pores is rubbed by male bearded dragons to the ground that leaves a scent or mark to attract the females.
Out of all pet reptiles, only bearded dragons and iguanas are the species that have femoral pores. It’s not a normal body part to have in your cute little ones, and it may confuse you as an owner.
What is a femoral pore? Where is it located? Do you need to know anything more about it? Here’s the answer!
To locate the pores, look at the underside of your bearded dragon’s thighs. If you still can’t pinpoint the femoral pores, find it near the anal opening, as it is not far from here. Pores located near the anal area are also considered or known as the pre-anal pores for added information.
These femoral pores have secretions that are used by the reptile to mark its territory. These secretions may also heighten if it’s the mating season, and there’s a tendency for the pores to appear protruded.
Expert Tip: Those educated enough about bearded dragons also use these pores to identify the age of the reptile.
Causes of Clogged Pores
Bearded dragons may have clogged pores caused by themselves or your ignorance of their needs as an owner. A clogged pore is most likely to happen if your bearded dragon doesn’t like to move much around their tanks.
The second reason is because of you: there might be loose substrates in the tank, or there are no provided rough objects for them to rub their bodies on to.
Loose substrates are often added to the tank as it is commonly used for other amphibian or reptile pets. However, it’s not good for a bearded dragon. Having this as bedding will not only cause clogged pores, but it can also lead to a severe impaction.
It’s better to use tiles or paper towels as a substrate. Also, don’t forget to add a platform or a basking rock for rubbing!
Risks of Clogged Pores
You might think that getting the pores clogged are okay, but it can lead to infection once it fills up in an abnormal amount. It also causes an abscess that swells the legs of your pet. You will need to take them on a pricey trip to the veterinarian for this, as this causes unbearable pain for your bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons might need surgery at worst if their infected clogged pores are done by an unprofessional. Never squeeze out a buildup if it looks like it is situated deep in the poor or infected. It is also another risk for pet owners who aren’t knowledgeable.
There’s a massive chance that you will risk your bearded dragon for an infection if you do this.
Does Your Bearded Dragon Have Clogged Pores?
Lucky for you, even those who don’t know much about bearded dragons will find it easy to tell if a bearded dragon’s pores are clogged or not. After learning the location of the femoral pores, inspect the holes thoroughly. Does it look full of some substance spilling out? If it is, then it’s probably clogged.
A clogged pore can either be just mild or heavy. You will find a waxy consistency substance in mild blockages to appear either clear or yellowish. If the femoral pores have a severe blockage, the wax filling may be hard than waxy and have a darker color like yellow, orange, or brown.
Expert Tip: It’s pretty easy to determine if the pores are clogged mildly, as they somewhat resemble earwax.
Cleaning Clogged Pores
Cleaning clogged femoral pores in bearded dragons can be done by yourself, given that the pores do not look like they are infected with pus or they don’t have swollen legs.
For owners whose bearded dragons do not manifest pus or infection in their clogged pores, here is a quick instruction on how to get rid of it.
- Firstly, soften up the buildup by soaking your bearded dragon in a lukewarm bath. Prepare them a few days prior with 25-30 minutes of warm baths to make it easier. Pedialyte, an oral solution, can also be used in loosening up the buildup.
- With a clean and soft-bristled toothbrush, scrub the pores gently. Once it gets softer after a few scrubbings, you can try taking out the buildup manually using your hands or a tweezer.
- After the bath, apply some Neosporin (can be switched to any antibiotic you trust) on the pores as a softener and prevention for infection.
- If you still find the buildup challenging to take out, use oil every night. Any oil safe for human consumption can be used, such as coconut or olive oil, that you can find in your homes.
- Make sure to repeat the process until the clogs are soft enough to remove. Bearded dragons with a milder buildup accumulation are easier to get rid of, so clean the buildups every time you can.
Conclusion
Clogged pores are the least of what you’d want for your bearded dragon. It would just result in unnecessary dirt stuck on their femoral pores or even scarier, a painful situation for your loved pets.
All in all, you can prevent a clogged pore from the start if you give your bearded dragon the tank they need. Just make sure that they have a suitable substrate and a rough surface, and they can clean their pores by themselves.
