Breathing problems?

[Kcosgrove74]

Hi all,
Edit: Not sure why it states bearded dragon egg at the top. This post is not related!

Need some advice! My beardie Welder, is 1.5 years old and recently appears to have issues breathing. Typically, I don't see him taking deep breaths but he has been breathing quite heavily to where it is inflating his beard as he exhales. Also, the last several days, he has refused his super worms which he typically gobbles up. He has also not been very interested in his greens or fruit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I'm very worried about him as this is not normal behavior. Any recommendations would be appreciated! Pictures of lights and enclosure attached

 

[HoomanSlave]

Hi all,
Edit: Not sure why it states bearded dragon egg at the top. This post is not related!

Need some advice! My beardie Welder, is 1.5 years old and recently appears to have issues breathing. Typically, I don't see him taking deep breaths but he has been breathing quite heavily to where it is inflating his beard as he exhales. Also, the last several days, he has refused his super worms which he typically gobbles up. He has also not been very interested in his greens or fruit. Has anyone had any experience with this? I'm very worried about him as this is not normal behavior. Any recommendations would be appreciated! Pictures of lights and enclosure attached

The bearded dragon egg title is your rank, it's based on how many posts you've made.

Check for any discharge in his eyes or nose. A respiratory infection is a possibility. What are the temps and humidity readings in his enclosure? On a side note, it looks like the bulb you're using for UVB is a compact light. They don't give off adequate UVB and can lead to MBD and decreased appetite. It needs to be replaced with a tube light fixture as soon as possible.

 

[Kcosgrove74]

The bearded dragon egg title is your rank, it's based on how many posts you've made.

Check for any discharge in his eyes or nose. A respiratory infection is a possibility. What are the temps and humidity readings in his enclosure? On a side note, it looks like the bulb you're using for UVB is a compact light. They don't give off adequate UVB and can lead to MBD and decreased appetite. It needs to be replaced with a tube light fixture as soon as possible

The bearded dragon egg title is your rank, it's based on how many posts you've made.

Check for any discharge in his eyes or nose. A respiratory infection is a possibility. What are the temps and humidity readings in his enclosure? On a side note, it looks like the bulb you're using for UVB is a compact light. They don't give off adequate UVB and can lead to MBD and decreased appetite. It needs to be replaced with a tube light fixture as soon as possible.

Thank you. The temp is 95 and humidity is typically about 50%. No discharge from the nose.. Where is the best place to buy a tube light?

 

[HoomanSlave]

You can get a tube light fixture from most pet stores, but they're cheapest here:
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html This fixture comes with a bulb, but it's not strong enough for desert reptiles and will need to be replaced.
You can also pick up a strip light fixture from Walmart (or other stores), but you'll need to add tin foil to the inside to make it reflective.

Reptisun 10.0 lights (I prefer the T5, but you can also go with a T8 if you get a T8 fixture) can be found on Amazon and from reptile sellers. They're reasonably priced here: https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-10.0-uvb-t5.html
You can also use Arcadia 12% tube lights. They're as good, if not better, than the Reptisuns.

The fixture and UVB light size you need to get depends on your enclosure size. The bulb needs to cover at least 1/2 of the enclosure, but 2/3 is ideal.


When do you notice the heavy breathing? Is it during basking, after a meal, or when he has stress marks, or does he do it constantly?