Bearded dragon respiratory infection.

[Tony3619]

Hey

My bearded dragon has heavy breathing and opens his mouth and has a popping noise.

I've seen the vet who has given me metacam and advised to up the temps slightly.

If this doesn't work after 3 days I have to get antibiotics.

Will metacam do anything apart from act as a painkiller? I'm abit confused why I'm being advised to try metacam on its own first?

 

[Sadie]

Hey

My bearded dragon has heavy breathing and opens his mouth and has a popping noise.

I've seen the vet who has given me metacam and advised to up the temps slightly.

If this doesn't work after 3 days I have to get antibiotics.

Will metacam do anything apart from act as a painkiller? I'm abit confused why I'm being advised to try metacam on its own first?

Not sure either- keep temps warmer at night 80 -- what kind of uvb? Coil or tube?

 

[Tony3619]

Not sure either- keep temps warmer at night 80 -- what kind of uvb? Coil or tube?

I use a tube uvb. Checked the humidity which is about 20% and the temps at the moment are 29c at cold end and 40c at hot end.

I looked it up and metacam is basically an anti inflammatory? I dont see how this will cure the respiratory infection unless the vet is suggesting it will clear up on its own?

 

[Sadie]

I use a tube uvb. Checked the humidity which is about 20% and the temps at the moment are 29c at cold end and 40c at hot end.

I looked it up and metacam is basically an anti inflammatory? I dont see how this will cure the respiratory infection unless the vet is suggesting it will clear up on its own?

I doubt it- usually a antibiotic is given -- where is the uvb inside the tank or top of screen ? What brand and bulb and is there a reflector on the fixture? All this iam asking is very important

 

[Tony3619]

I doubt it- usually a antibiotic is given -- where is the uvb inside the tank or top of screen ? What brand and bulb and is there a reflector on the fixture? All this iam asking is very important

The uvb is screwed on the Inside with a reflector. It's made by reptile systems.

 

[Sadie]

The uvb is screwed on the Inside with a reflector. It's made by reptile systems.

Brand and bulb T 5 or a T 8? Distance is key here to the overall health a long w/ the brand ---- there are brands better than others and we recommend certain brands --- this is going to reflect on the dragons over all health -- the basking temps and the UVB are the most important things in the tank --- are you using a CLEAR bright white bulb? NO off white NO yellowish NO colored and NO daytime bulbs they have a coating on them called neoyidium that is bad for the eyes

 

[Sadie]

Brand and bulb T 5 or a T 8? Distance is key here to the overall health a long w/ the brand ---- there are brands better than others and we recommend certain brands --- this is going to reflect on the dragons over all health -- the basking temps and the UVB are the most important things in the tank --- are you using a CLEAR bright white bulb? NO off white NO yellowish NO colored and NO daytime bulbs they have a coating on them called neoyidium that is bad for the eyes

I saw your post on the other forum -- please make sure your T 8 is not over 6 months old what brand is the
Uvb lighting is a 900mm tube T8 -- do you have a reflector on the T 8 fixture and if so is there a clear plastic cover over the bulb? Distance and placement for the UVB is critical --- screen and plastic covers block 30% of the rays - and it should be in the tank w/a distance directly over the basking decor 6-8 inches --- basking temps and the UVB are the most important things in the tank --- the person that answered your post is a vet tech mod - she can better guide you w/ the medical care he should be getting ---
what size is the tank? If its over 40 gallons I recommend you upgrade your UVB to a Arcadia Pro T 5 12% bulb