Bearded Dragon nutrition: peer-reviewed evidence (Europe PMC)
Source: Open-Access peer-reviewed abstracts retrieved verbatim from Europe PMC (www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc) via REST search on 2026-08-01, filtered to bearded dragon nutrition/toxicology literature. Each block below is a verbatim abstract; nothing is paraphrased.
Effect of different dietary supplements on the growth and blood parameters of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). (Acta veterinaria Hungarica (2026), PMID:41632107)
> Metabolic bone disease of nutritional origin (Ca/vitamin D3 deficiency) is common in pet reptiles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four dietary supplements with or without artificial UVB irradiation. Selected blood parameters, health and growth were also examined. Thirty-six, one-month-old bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were housed individually and fed five times a week; dietary supplements were given daily. Blood samples were taken from 3 animals in each group (n = 18) seven times, once at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15, and twice at 16 months of age (with 2 weeks difference). Measured parameters were Ca (2.6 ± 0.5 mmol*L-1), Ca2+ (1.2 ± 0.2 mmol*L-1), uric acid (358 ± 243 µmol*L-1), total protein (66.2 ± 14.9 g*L-1), alanine-aminotransferase (<1-83 U*L-1), Na+ (161 ± 8.0 mmol*L-1) and K+ (3.9 ± 1.1 mmol*L-1). The UVB exposure enhances both the Ca (P = 0.0489) and Ca2+ (P = 0.0222) levels. The 24-h fasting before sampling resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) lower uric acid values. The effect of age seems clinically relevant in total protein, with lower levels in juveniles (P = 0.0016). Treatments did not affect the animals' body weight and length; all of them were clinically healthy.
— *verbatim, Europe PMC PMID:41632107*
Reoccurring Salmonella Cotham Outbreak Linked to Pet Bearded Dragons - United States, 2024. (MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report (2025), PMID:40839529)
> In April 2024, CDC's PulseNet identified a cluster of seven Salmonella Cotham cases from five states. Isolates were highly related by whole genome sequencing (WGS), and one patient reported contact with a pet bearded dragon. CDC initiated a multistate investigation and as of December 10, 2024, an additional 19 cases had been identified, for a total of 26 confirmed cases from 13 states; state public health partners identified one probable case in an additional state for a total of 27 cases. Eighteen of 25 cases (72%) were among persons who reported contact with a bearded dragon or lizard. Children aged <5 years, especially infants, were disproportionately affected, accounting for 17 (65%) of the 26 confirmed cases; most had bearded dragons in the home without direct animal contact. WGS of two bearded dragon specimens collected in 2024 and three bearded dragon specimens collected during 2012-2014 confirmed genetic relatedness of this rare Salmonella strain and continued circulation among commercially sold bearded dragons. CDC implemented a One Health approach in response, working with pet industry representatives to disseminate information about biosecurity best practices to bearded dragon suppliers and retailers. Investigators contacted a common bearded dragon supplier identified in the traceback investigation to share biosecurity and prevention recommendations. CDC used social media and a website investigation notice to inform the public, recommending that caregivers prevent young children from indirect reptile contact by restricting reptiles from roaming freely, separating reptiles and supplies from food preparation areas, and washing hands and changing clothes after handling reptiles and before holding infants.
— *verbatim, Europe PMC PMID:40839529*
Systemic CD3+ T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Bearded Dragon (<i>Pogona vitticeps)</i>: Clinical, Therapeutic, and Pathological Findings. (Animals : an open access journal from MDPI (2025), PMID:41007981)
> A three-year-old male bearded dragon (<i>Pogona vitticeps</i>) exhibited acute anorexia. Biochemistry revealed mild hyperproteinemia (88 g/L) and elevated liver enzymes (ALT 60 U/L, AST 272 U/L), while the hematology report showed marked lymphocytosis. The animal had been clinically normal at a routine examination 10 months earlier. Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was suspected. Treatment was initiated with methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg PO q24h), marbofloxacin (10 mg/kg IM q24h), and lomustine (80 mg/m<sup>2</sup> PO q14d), calculated according to reptile-specific body surface area formulas. A transient stabilization was followed by sudden deterioration on day 3, characterized by hematemesis and severe respiratory distress, leading to spontaneous death. A complete necropsy including histopathology and anti-CD3 immunohistochemistry revealed disseminated infiltration of neoplastic T-lymphocytes throughout all major visceral organs and confirmed the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (L/L). This case represents a rare report of systemic acute lymphoblastic L/L in a bearded dragon and underlies the importance of comprehensive diagnostics in reptiles with non-specific clinical signs and the challenges in the treatment of neoplastic diseases in exotic species.
— *verbatim, Europe PMC PMID:41007981*
Claims (verified C1 substrings of source_file)
Metabolic bone disease of nutritional origin (Ca/vitamin D3 deficiency) is common in pet reptiles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four dietary s…
In April 2024, CDC's PulseNet identified a cluster of seven Salmonella Cotham cases from five states. Isolates were highly related by whole genome sequencing (W…
A three-year-old male bearded dragon (<i>Pogona vitticeps</i>) exhibited acute anorexia. Biochemistry revealed mild hyperproteinemia (88 g/L) and elevated liver…