Bearded Dragon opening mouth to gasp, only SOMETIMES?

[Wolfgirl97578]

I'm sorry, but I really feel like the people responding to this thread are not actually taking anything I say into consideration and are just dumping their general knowledge of bearded dragon care in hopes of being seen as an expert or something?

I know all the causes of a URI, which is why I made this thread in the first place. Due to my confusion as to why this is happening despite having her checked for infections multiple times.
My vet has wondered if it's weight related, since her weight has been an ongoing issue. But that's just a thought, and we won't know for sure until I can keep her at a healthy weight.

I've since realized that it's not just him she'll do that on. She'll do it on me as well. From what I've seen, I really feel like it has something to do with her lungs being compressed in some way while she's laying down. Since she only does it while laying down, with the severity significantly depending on the part of my chest that she's laying on. And with that in mind I feel like the weight theory may be onto something? Being fat can often come with breathing problems in humans due to excess fat pressing up against your chest wall and diaphragm. Don't see why excess fat on lizards can't do a similar thing? I dunno. I've kind of put it aside for now, since she's still as active and excitable as ever, and it doesn't happen at all unless she's sleeping on someone's chest. And of course we've stopped doing that. So like, man I have no idea.

I know when my baby was little about 5 or 6 months he started this same thing and I thought it was a uri as well but he showed no symptoms and I couldn't hear anything took him to a vet perfectly healthy and after searching and searching I found one that said that maybe his tank was too small so I got a way bigger size and boom he stopped doing that I don't know if that's what is wrong with your beardie though

 

[Dae]

I know when my baby was little about 5 or 6 months he started this same thing and I thought it was a uri as well but he showed no symptoms and I couldn't hear anything took him to a vet perfectly healthy and after searching and searching I found one that said that maybe his tank was too small so I got a way bigger size and boom he stopped doing that I don't know if that's what is wrong with your beardie though

Huh, that's weird! My tank is 4x2x2, and she seems to appreciate the space.. she no longer wall surfs constantly like she used to in the exo-terra I had. (Unless she's got like, post-poop zoomies lmao) But I dunno, your case is honestly really interesting, I'm insanely curious now as to how that worked!


But yeah, honestly I have no clue. I send her in for check ups every year, right before she goes into brumation, just to see if she's healthy before she goes stealth mode in her hide for like 2 months lol. So it's something I've brought up the 2 years I've had her. Also, when I first rescued her from a family friend, I got her on antibiotics for tail rot. The same time she was doing this. So I feel like if it was a URI, the meds would've worked to clear it up as well? But no changes.

Also honestly, the more I think about it, the more I'm starting to take my vet's idea about her weight into consideration. Because it wasn't as severe as it has been in like the past year and a half. And she was like, skinny skinny back then.

So, I've been periodically watching over her while shes brumating, to see if she's gasping or opening her mouth at all. So far she's been pretty peaceful, which probably just has something to do with how deep she is in sleep. But normally, outside of brumation, she will open her mouth a bit while sleeping, though it's more like gaping more than it is gasping, like in the video.

(I'm off like, 2 Bangs so excuse my long rambly response LOL)

 

[Wolfgirl97578]

Huh, that's weird! My tank is 4x2x2, and she seems to appreciate the space.. she no longer wall surfs constantly like she used to in the exo-terra I had. (Unless she's got like, post-poop zoomies lmao) But I dunno, your case is honestly really interesting, I'm insanely curious now as to how that worked!


But yeah, honestly I have no clue. I send her in for check ups every year, right before she goes into brumation, just to see if she's healthy before she goes stealth mode in her hide for like 2 months lol. So it's something I've brought up the 2 years I've had her. Also, when I first rescued her from a family friend, I got her on antibiotics for tail rot. The same time she was doing this. So I feel like if it was a URI, the meds would've worked to clear it up as well? But no changes.

Also honestly, the more I think about it, the more I'm starting to take my vet's idea about her weight into consideration. Because it wasn't as severe as it has been in like the past year and a half. And she was like, skinny skinny back then.

So, I've been periodically watching over her while shes brumating, to see if she's gasping or opening her mouth at all. So far she's been pretty peaceful, which probably just has something to do with how deep she is in sleep. But normally, outside of brumation, she will open her mouth a bit while sleeping, though it's more like gaping more than it is gasping, like in the video.

(I'm off like, 2 Bangs so excuse my long rambly response LOL)

See when mine started doing weird breathing he was like 4 or 5 months so I definitely knew it wasn't brumation and all his symptoms I couldn't fine he was active just had some weird breathing problems went to a way bigger tank and he stopped so idk what his problem was lol

 

[Vic and Mars]

My 6 month old has done this as well. She's been to the vet three times since I got her in July and definitely does not have an RI. All my conditions are right too. Is your beardie hydrated and how big of food are you giving her?

 

[Julee1971]

I'm sorry, but I really feel like the people responding to this thread are not actually taking anything I say into consideration and are just dumping their general knowledge of bearded dragon care in hopes of being seen as an expert or something?

I know all the causes of a URI, which is why I made this thread in the first place. Due to my confusion as to why this is happening despite having her checked for infections multiple times.
My vet has wondered if it's weight related, since her weight has been an ongoing issue. But that's just a thought, and we won't know for sure until I can keep her at a healthy weight.

I've since realized that it's not just him she'll do that on. She'll do it on me as well. From what I've seen, I really feel like it has something to do with her lungs being compressed in some way while she's laying down. Since she only does it while laying down, with the severity significantly depending on the part of my chest that she's laying on. And with that in mind I feel like the weight theory may be onto something? Being fat can often come with breathing problems in humans due to excess fat pressing up against your chest wall and diaphragm. Don't see why excess fat on lizards can't do a similar thing? I dunno. I've kind of put it aside for now, since she's still as active and excitable as ever, and it doesn't happen at all unless she's sleeping on someone's chest. And of course we've stopped doing that. So like, man I have no idea.

No being Fat/overweight causes Fatty Liver Disease in a beardie & has nothing to do with breathing problems. If u are feeding mealworms; Stop asap, those are a horrible fatty cheap feeder. Stick to Dubia roaches & crickets 1-2 times per week if the beardie is over 2 years old amd everyday a plate of fresh greens amd veggies. Breathing issues is an URinfection and can lead to death. Find another reptile vet that’s reputable amd has good reviews or ask a Breeder or a specialty reptile store they will know of a good vet.

 

[Earls MUM]

Every since I adopted her in January, she has done this thing where she'll open her mouth and take big gasps in, but only when she's laying down on someone's chest? And it's a constant while shes sleeping there.
Since I've had her she's been to the vet twice, both times came back with a clean bill of health. Checking for respitory infections and finding nothing (both vets even said they were surprised by how good her mouth area looks lol) she doesn't emit any clicking noises when she does it. I honestly suspect that just the shape and firmness of a persons chest is just pushing up on her lungs or something? Especially since she's laying flat?

But I still can't help but worry, and googling usually brings me to the respitory infection answer, but that's already been ruled out.
I'll also mention that during this time, she's taken out of her tank into a somewhat colder climate than the tank. Could colder temp play a role in this too? Even if she doesn't do this while moving around in said temp?

Also, yes I don't lay her on my chest because of this, but my boyfriend has to be constantly reminded so I'm forced to be faced with it, and I can't help but worry when I see it.

So, I want to know, is this something others have seen? Situational gasping in an otherwise seemingly healthy dragon? Lemme know your thoughts.

It could be shes just gaping to regulate her body temp. It is something all deagons do, it's just sone people dont notice them doing it.

 

[Judge]

Ok; is the Reptisun a T5 or T8? The better one is a T5 & needs replacing every 12mnths & the T8 needs replacing every 6mnths. Switch to the T5 it’s brighter and emits more UVB & make sure it covers 70prcnt of the tank the length of it. 2ndly; heat & UVB should be on 10-12 in the winter so 10 is good for now but in the summer it’s 12-14; more like 14 tops. Che bulbs? A ceramic heat emitter use that at night YES if temp drops below 68-70. Humidity is great it can be 30-40 never higher than 40; assuming U have a digital hygrometer & a digital thermometer; others are never accurate so Digital only. Your scant stay at 32 it fluctuates depending on weather & temp in yoru house. If u have a digital reader u are good. Calcium (REPCAL) brand please up it to 3-4 times a week dusted once per day on the veggies or the feeders. And Herptivite once per week/per day. Once a month is not Enuff at all. Leave the veggie/green plate there for 2-3 hours when wilted switch it out they have to be able to eat when they want along with water bowl leave all those on the cold side. Just remove water and food 2 hours before lights out. Also the greens I are doing are great do that everyday salad only provides water no other value. Add dandelions, butternut squash, snap peas & Green beans those in addition to what u are doign are everyday ones u can give blueberries as a treat 2-3 times a week I do like 6/day. Also if the Beardie is over a year old he shoidl be also getting proteins Dubia roaches, large crickets, and super worms are the best ones. Don’t deprive him of proteins; he needs it does his bones & if u adopted chances are he was deprived. I feed mine between 15-20 crickets per day sometimes I add super worms too and hornworms 2-week as a treat & Dubia roaches are great lots of healthy protein. Sticking to Dubias, crickets and super worms are the healthiest & best for them. Don’t give them weird stuff but up the protein defintaley & up the calcium powder & the greens/veggies leave them in for hours when wilted switch it out; I do 2 fresh plates per day. Gr8 Job on the tank u have a 120 Gallon most people don’t know that this is the minimum for a “1” year old plus Beardie!!! They confine them in a 40gallon which is not cool. Also they love to look out the windows and watch TV; mellow stuff not violence; mine watch george Lopez and friends all day-Lol. Most people cover all walls in their cage like a prison cell I cover the left wall and the rigth with awesome palm tree paper. The back of my cage looks out a window and the front he can watch tv. Also make sure u are doing the 2baths per week in lukewarm dechlorinated water (Buy Reptisafe) for 15min minimum for hydration & More baths if shedding it helps them with itchiness & for skin to fall off.

If your being serious here all I have to say is I hope your beardy is still alive. This has got to be a troll but Incase I am wrong I am sorry for coming off rude and I hope you take the time to read what I have to say so you can better educate others in the future. But not when they've stated they already know what your telling them..... I can't stress these things enough though.
1. Beardies can't digest sugar and it rots their teeth. You literally shouldn't give them fruits ever bell peppers included. I treat mine once a year maybe with fruit.
2. Her beardy is overweight why are you encouraging over feeding. Adult beardies should not get bugs every day under any circumstance unless your feeding like a cricket a day but that seems rude to me twice or depending on age and health once a week. Meal worms being a health issue also largely depends on all the other factors of your setup a healthy beardy should be perfectly fine eating meal worms.
3. Everyday multivitamins will eventually kill your beardy/lead to organ damage.
4. Please re read her post
5. Humidity being high doesn't mean your beardy is going to get a RI its a contributing factor but again a healthy beardy can handle a bit of Humidity just not for prolonged periods of time. When it rains in Australia the dragons dont all die of pneumonia.... More importantly though 30-40% prolonged probably still isn't the best for them keeping levels below 30% is likely way more atune to there natural environment. I believe there is mixed information on this because eastern Bearded dragons tend to live in slightly more humid areas and 30-40% probably is fine for them. But our Central bearded dragons that we keep are not found in those regions of Australia because they can't thrive... if your beardy has an RI Humidity could have been what triggered it. But probably never the true culprit a healthy dragon won't get sick from some Humidity if they do its because of a weakened immune system and there set up diet and or stress levels need to be evaluated because thats where youll find the underlying problem really is.

 

[Judge]

No being Fat/overweight causes Fatty Liver Disease in a beardie & has nothing to do with breathing problems. If u are feeding mealworms; Stop asap, those are a horrible fatty cheap feeder. Stick to Dubia roaches & crickets 1-2 times per week if the beardie is over 2 years old amd everyday a plate of fresh greens amd veggies. Breathing issues is an URinfection and can lead to death. Find another reptile vet that’s reputable amd has good reviews or ask a Breeder or a specialty reptile store they will know of a good vet.

..... you know she said shes already done that right? You guys keep ignoring what she's saying to preach about URIs and how important it is to treat or.her beardy will die.... So tell me how many beardies have you known to live for years with a URI untreated? If the dragon had a URI it wouldn't be breathing still....

 

[Yvonne G]

This is an old thread.