Dragon shakes his head when swallowing food

[Rwtf8]

Hello,
I have 2 yo dragon. Very active, like to eat, like to bask a lot. Brumates every winter, poops good as well.
But when he eats, his head shakes in very weird way.
He does that ONLY when he swallows a food.

I give him food 3 times a week: greens, Repashy and dubia roaches. 1x Cal, 1x Cal+D3, 1x Vitamins.
UVB lamp is always under control, I replace it every 8 months (Arcadia 12%).
What that might be? I'm a little bit scared if that thing will progress.

Attaching reddit thread video.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BeardedDragons/comments/117z9on

 

[Sadie]

Hello,
I have 2 yo dragon. Very active, like to eat, like to bask a lot. Brumates every winter, poops good as well.
But when he eats, his head shakes in very weird way.
He does that ONLY when he swallows a food.

I give him food 3 times a week: greens, Repashy and dubia roaches. 1x Cal, 1x Cal+D3, 1x Vitamins.
UVB lamp is always under control, I replace it every 8 months (Arcadia 12%).
What that might be? I'm a little bit scared if that thing will progress.

Attaching reddit thread video.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BeardedDragons/comments/117z9on

The video was blocked -- its possible hes choking or has something caught in his throat --- how big are the roaches your feeding ?

 

[Rwtf8]

The video was blocked -- its possible hes choking or has something caught in his throat --- how big are the roaches your feeding ?

The video was blocked -- its possible hes choking or has something caught in his throat --- how big are the roaches your feeding ?

Should not be that case - he's doing that since the last year. He was brumating for 4 months and I hoped that this thing will go away, but it's not yet

20230221_111848.mp4

Visit this link to download: 20230221_111848.mp4

files.fm

 

[Sadie]

Should not be that case - he's doing that since the last year. He was brumating for 4 months and I hoped that this thing will go away, but it's not yet

20230221_111848.mp4

Visit this link to download: 20230221_111848.mp4

files.fm

I can see the video but it wont play - something to do w/ the format - I would try and get it on youtube then post the link -- what are you surface basking temps? How are you taking them? No stick ons please - they are inaccurate and you want a digital probe thermometer - UVB is a great one - where is it placed your screen will determine placement and distance

 

[Rwtf8]

Right, there's YouTube

 

[Sadie]

Right, there's YouTube

He seems to be fine -- I dont really see anything concerning-

 

[Rwtf8]

He seems to be fine -- I dont really see anything concerning-

Thanks for having your time on that. Just wanted to confirm, 00:18, can you see that dragon "shakes" it's head during swallowing? I hope video shows that properly

 

[Sadie]

Thanks for having your time on that. Just wanted to confirm, 00:18, can you see that dragon "shakes" it's head during swallowing? I hope video shows that properly

Does he does this all the time? I will have some one else take a look

 

[Rwtf8]

Oblu

Does he does this all the time? I will have some one else take a look

Does he does this all the time? I will have some one else take a look

Only when swallows food, especially when his head is turned 45-90 degress to his body. I mean when he turns head to me, but body remains in same position
Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

Oblu



Only when swallows food, especially when his head is turned 45-90 degress to his body. I mean when he turns head to me, but body remains in same position
Thank you!

Ok gonna have some on take a look at it -- I will get back w/ you

 

[Sadie]

Ok gonna have some on take a look at it -- I will get back w/ you

Ok so they got back w/ me and this is what they have said
It could just be an odd habit or might be a slight neurological issue. Can't say for sure.
So w/ that being said where is your UVB? top of screen or inside the tank - this is very important w/ them saying slight neurological issue makes me want to find out more about your UVB placement -- this is critical for what she has said --

 

[Rwtf8]

Ok so they got back w/ me and this is what they have said
It could just be an odd habit or might be a slight neurological issue. Can't say for sure.
So w/ that being said where is your UVB? top of screen or inside the tank - this is very important w/ them saying slight neurological issue makes me want to find out more about your UVB placement -- this is critical for what she has said --

UVB is placed inside. Arcadia 12%, I get a replacement every 8 months. Enclosure is 45x45x90cm

 

[Sadie]

UVB is placed inside. Arcadia 12%, I get a replacement every 8 months. Enclosure is 45x45x90cm

Ok make sure you have a piece of basking decor directly under it 12-15 inches --- w/ that being said it could be just a habit as mentioned -- you have a good UVB and if placement is correct I dont see the neurological issue being a problem

 

[Rwtf8]

Ok make sure you have a piece of basking decor directly under it 12-15 inches --- w/ that being said it could be just a habit as mentioned -- you have a good UVB and if placement is correct I dont see the neurological issue being a problem

Sure! He has a good basking spot, few places to hide and proper shade in the opposite corner.
Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

Sure! He has a good basking spot, few places to hide and proper shade in the opposite corner.
Thank you!

Is your dragon still shaking his head?

 

[Rwtf8]

Is your dragon still shaking his head?

Hello again,
Yes, he's still doing that when he swallows food with head turned 45-90 degress to any side. When his head is looking straight - everything is fine. Also I noticed that "second" and all next swallowing are also good, with no shaking

 

[Sadie]

Hello again,
Yes, he's still doing that when he swallows food with head turned 45-90 degress to any side. When his head is looking straight - everything is fine. Also I noticed that "second" and all next swallowing are also good, with no shaking

I am going to see if Tracie has any ideas as to why he's doing this
@Drache613

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

To confirm, you are giving calcium 3 times weekly, & is it powder or liquid?
It is possible he has a slight calcium issue, which essentially is neurological problems. How long has
he been doing this, quite awhile?
The Arcadia D3 12%, is the T8 tube bulb? That is great it is mounted inside of his tank. Is it directly
overhead or mounted on the back wall?

Tracie

 

[Rwtf8]

Hey again,
Cal, Cal+D3 + Vitamins. In total 3 times a week, powder ZooMed.
He has been doing that since last mid summer. He did brumate for 4 months and after waking up it still the same.
I use T5 Arcadia Pro set and replace lamps each 8 months.
It's mounted on "ceiling" of his enclosure, so there's no metal mesh or any other obstacles

Hello,

To confirm, you are giving calcium 3 times weekly, & is it powder or liquid?
It is possible he has a slight calcium issue, which essentially is neurological problems. How long has
he been doing this, quite awhile?
The Arcadia D3 12%, is the T8 tube bulb? That is great it is mounted inside of his tank. Is it directly
overhead or mounted on the back wall?

Tracie

 

[Sadie]

Your UVB is a T 5? If so the distance needs to be 12- 15 inches directly above him -- NO back wall if so -- for a T 8 distance would need to be 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor