Thank you for the feedback! I am not noticing any of those things but starting about a week ago he has been gaping a lot more (I also just got a hotter lamp) this only occurs when he's basking though. What I did notice though was as he was just resting on my shoulder, his breathing was very heavy which caused some concern.
It's good he's gaping - the shoulder rides no so good-- please keep a hand on him if doing that for some reason they will jump and you don't want that -- they think they're superman and try to fly
Hi; we reacue and rehome. YES; this is definitely an “Upper Respiratory Infection”; he needs a good reptile vet ASAP. He will be given 3doses of antibiotics; do not give him any baths rite now & do not mist him. Have you been leaving the water bowl in his tank at nite when he sleeps? Always remove all food & water dishes before bedtime. Also, did he get water in his ears when bathing? Never ever get water in his ears. Or is the humidity higher than 40percent? Get a digital hygrometer & place it on the hot side in the basking area a few Inches from the top of the tank to monitor the humidity. Or did u take him outside in the cold. Only take a Beardie outside in the summer. Does the the temp drop below 70 at nite? If so get him a 60watt ceramic heat emitter; this emits heat but no light. Beardies cannot ever have lights on at nite except a heat emitter. Is there an AC vent above his encloser; if so; then the tank needs to be moved. All this causes a RInfection. Please get him to the vet ASAP; he’s in bad shape at this time. Antibiotics will cure him or it leads to death.
Hi thank you so much for the help! I am terrified at the moment becuase we really have no vets in the area, and the ones that are a few hours a way do not have good ratings. Is there a way I can purchase the antibiotics my self? Also how much does the vet cost for these type of things? I would have to pay myself so it would be great to a have range!
His humidity level is good --- if hes not breathing hard outside the tank and only in the tank it would not be a RI-- how long have you had him? My guess its relocation stress and I would let him acclimate to his tank and surroundings only holding a minimum of time - I do recommend you get a digital probe hydrometer - the dial ones you haft to calibrate so often - the probe should go on the back center wall of tank so its registering the whole tank for humidity -- as long as your humidity level is good basking temps are what they should be and UVB is in correct place and distance he should be good - is he eating and basking and pooping good and active? Eating might not be up to par for now as relocation stress and shedding will cause it to be off -- as long as hes eating something and not nothing you are good - its when they quit eating all together become lethargic that is not good
40pwecent humidity is great is it a digital hygrometer? 30-40 is good jsit never higher than 40. Does he have a nice size cage? 40 gallon if he’s under 8mntsh old & 120 gallon of he’s bigger they get dressed if cage is too small & wallpaper on at least the left & rigth side of greenery/Palm tees so he doesn’t see his reflection maybe he can watch tv from the back or front glass part of the enclosure. Also the temp is it too high? Zoomed basking bulb please with a digital themonter placed on the basking side; 2 inches below the top of the cage.
Heavy breathing, bubbling, noises, gaping, feeling suffocated and wanting out of cage is all Upper Resparatory; needs a vet and 3shots of antibiotics of Purcel.
Thank you! I am looking for these signs and I should be booking an appointment shortly
I am hoping to update his tank soon and he’s he is eating regularly but not pooping as much
Gr8 to hear; the sooner the better, the heavy breathing is a sign in and of itself. So get him in ASAP cuz it’s deadly & can only be treated with the antibiotic shots.
The Beardie will still eat and poop but the RI will not go away and needs to be treated. We have dealt other this with several Beardie rescues.
I'm with Zontar's mom. Doesn't sound like an RI. There are usually several indications of an RI, not just heavy breathing. I know my guy will breathe quicker and heavier when he's introduced to a new situation or is startled by something. His breathing does gradually go back to normal once he realizes he ok. Sometimes this can take up to 15 minutes.
