Is heavy breathing like this normal?

[Nephaleim]

Hi!
Sadly lately I haven't been home much so I haven't been able to be with my beardie too much, other than feeding. (In the process of moving out)
Today I noticed some heavy breathing and I wanted to ask if this is normal?
His apetite remains unbothered: he gobbles up any fruits or bugs (veggies take a bit more effort for him to eat tho as usual).
Also, he was pretty active today, running around a lot, a bit too much than normal. I want to note he was breathing like this even before I let him out of his terrarium.

 

[Nephaleim]

I cant seem to be able to upload a video. Ill try with youtube then

 

[Nephaleim]

Hi!
Sadly lately I haven't been home much so I haven't been able to be with my beardie too much, other than feeding. (In the process of moving out)
Today I noticed some heavy breathing and I wanted to ask if this is normal?
His apetite remains unbothered: he gobbles up any fruits or bugs (veggies take a bit more effort for him to eat tho as usual).
Also, he was pretty active today, running around a lot, a bit too much than normal. I want to note he was breathing like this even before I let him out of his terrarium.

Here is the video:

 

[Sadie]

Here is the video:

He is fine - they all do this from time to time- mine do it as well --

 

[Nephaleim]

He is fine - they all do this from time to time- mine do it as well --

That's a massive relief to hear. I was getting really worried and now's the worst time to be dancing around vets.

Thank you!

 

[Nephaleim]

He is fine - they all do this from time to time- mine do it as well --

Hey Sadie,

He heavy breathing is persisting, and now he is not interested in any food, even bugs. Im starting to believe this is a respiratory infection. And now he also doesnt seem to want to move either. Usually he goes to a little corner to sleep but today he decided to just stay under the heat lamp and sleep there. I am concerned.
Already sent a mail to my vet, but she doesnt work until monday. Is there something I can do to help him hold on a little longer until monday?

 

[Sadie]

Hey Sadie,

He heavy breathing is persisting, and now he is not interested in any food, even bugs. Im starting to believe this is a respiratory infection. And now he also doesnt seem to want to move either. Usually he goes to a little corner to sleep but today he decided to just stay under the heat lamp and sleep there. I am concerned.
Already sent a mail to my vet, but she doesnt work until monday. Is there something I can do to help him hold on a little longer until monday?

Are you seeing any mucous hearing any crackling or wheezing- I would keep his ambient temps to around 80 overnight - get a ceramic heat emitter if you dont have one place on one side of the tank and let it run overnight- this will help keep his immune system up till you get him into the vet -- what are your surface basking temps? you want 95-100 and you are using a long tube fixture for a UVB? I am sending this to Tracie shes the vet tech on the board -- she can give some more advice on this issue

 

[Nephaleim]

Are you seeing any mucous hearing any crackling or wheezing- I would keep his ambient temps to around 80 overnight - get a ceramic heat emitter if you dont have one place on one side of the tank and let it run overnight- this will help keep his immune system up till you get him into the vet -- what are your surface basking temps? you want 95-100 and you are using a long tube fixture for a UVB? I am sending this to Tracie shes the vet tech on the board -- she can give some more advice on this issue

Hey,

Im not hearing any noises while he breathes. His beard is fully black, so he seems stressed and his eyes seem a bit... Dull? I mean not all bright eyed.

I have a uvb tube from arcadia, prot5 uvb kit at an appropriate distance. The heat bulb is exo terra intense basking bulb 50w, but im looking to get a 75w. I have a ceramic heater and i think ill put it on as well.

Temps on one side of the tank are 26C, and on the hot spot (other side of the terrarium) is 41-42C.

 

[Sadie]

Hey,

Im not hearing any noises while he breathes. His beard is fully black, so he seems stressed and his eyes seem a bit... Dull? I mean not all bright eyed.

I have a uvb tube from arcadia, prot5 uvb kit at an appropriate distance. The heat bulb is exo terra intense basking bulb 50w, but im looking to get a 75w. I have a ceramic heater and i think ill put it on as well.

Temps on one side of the tank are 26C, and on the hot spot (other side of the terrarium) is 41-42C.

Ok you dont want his surface basking temps over 100 F - adult dragons like temps 95-100 F - when he sits under the basking light is he directly under it or off to the side? If hes sitting directly under how long does he stay there? I would run the CHE at night for now w/ temps being around 80 F - I have sent Tracie the link for your post again - fully black beard is either hes in distress or pain - my guess its distress -- get him into the vet do you have a reptile vet? NO enemas at the vet please -- get copies of anything done X rays blood work etc - infection will be determined by blood work and X rays should show fluid etc around lungs something is definitely off w/ him black bearding -- hoping Tracie responds here tonight - your UVB is in the tank ? how far from basking decor and can he sit directly under it? How old is the bulb?

 

[Nephaleim]

Ok you dont want his surface basking temps over 100 F - adult dragons like temps 95-100 F - when he sits under the basking light is he directly under it or off to the side? If hes sitting directly under how long does he stay there? I would run the CHE at night for now w/ temps being around 80 F - I have sent Tracie the link for your post again - fully black beard is either hes in distress or pain - my guess its distress -- get him into the vet do you have a reptile vet? NO enemas at the vet please -- get copies of anything done X rays blood work etc - infection will be determined by blood work and X rays should show fluid etc around lungs something is definitely off w/ him black bearding -- hoping Tracie responds here tonight - your UVB is in the tank ? how far from basking decor and can he sit directly under it? How old is the bulb?

The bulb was a bit further above a few days ago and I lowered it a bit since it seemed like it was too weak and he used to sit under it really long. I can put it up a bit more tho, and yeah he does sometimes sit directly under and sometimes a bit to the side. He doesnt seem to sit under it for too long lately. I think he figures when its too hot and moves.
What do you mean by CHE?
We are currently in the process of moving so maybe that is stressing him out a bit too? His enclosure hasnt been touched or moved yet though, but it does mean im barely at home lately so I dont get to watch him much for the past few weeks. So i cant confirm if he maybe ate something bad or the like. I try to feed him stuff we have at home. Lately its dandelion, cabbage, carrots, tiny bit of apples, raddichio.

The uv tube is in the tank slightly off center at the ceiling of the enclosure. Its a long tube and covers most of the terrarium. I bought the tube a few months ago, maybe half a year or so. It lights up the enclosure well, and when i installed it i made sure at the level he will be its the appropriate amount of uv for him, but i cant recall the exact numbers right now.

Thought he might be impacted too, but he pooped a few hours ago.

 

[Nephaleim]

The bulb was a bit further above a few days ago and I lowered it a bit since it seemed like it was too weak and he used to sit under it really long. I can put it up a bit more tho, and yeah he does sometimes sit directly under and sometimes a bit to the side. He doesnt seem to sit under it for too long lately. I think he figures when its too hot and moves.
What do you mean by CHE?
We are currently in the process of moving so maybe that is stressing him out a bit too? His enclosure hasnt been touched or moved yet though, but it does mean im barely at home lately so I dont get to watch him much for the past few weeks. So i cant confirm if he maybe ate something bad or the like. I try to feed him stuff we have at home. Lately its dandelion, cabbage, carrots, tiny bit of apples, raddichio.

The uv tube is in the tank slightly off center at the ceiling of the enclosure. Its a long tube and covers most of the terrarium. I bought the tube a few months ago, maybe half a year or so. It lights up the enclosure well, and when i installed it i made sure at the level he will be its the appropriate amount of uv for him, but i cant recall the exact numbers right now.

Thought he might be impacted too, but he pooped a few hours ago.

I also want to say he was running around his enclosure a bit today, but didnt want to go out. Tried offering some mealworms and crickets but he just closes his eyes at them.

 

[Nephaleim]

I also want to say he was running around his enclosure a bit today, but didnt want to go out. Tried offering some mealworms and crickets but he just closes his eyes at them.

Photo from a few hours ago when i was home.
I hope he will be okay because im really looking forward to redesigning and remaking his enclosure because the previous owner didnt do a good job.

 

[Sadie]

The bulb was a bit further above a few days ago and I lowered it a bit since it seemed like it was too weak and he used to sit under it really long. I can put it up a bit more tho, and yeah he does sometimes sit directly under and sometimes a bit to the side. He doesnt seem to sit under it for too long lately. I think he figures when its too hot and moves.
What do you mean by CHE?
We are currently in the process of moving so maybe that is stressing him out a bit too? His enclosure hasnt been touched or moved yet though, but it does mean im barely at home lately so I dont get to watch him much for the past few weeks. So i cant confirm if he maybe ate something bad or the like. I try to feed him stuff we have at home. Lately its dandelion, cabbage, carrots, tiny bit of apples, raddichio.

The uv tube is in the tank slightly off center at the ceiling of the enclosure. Its a long tube and covers most of the terrarium. I bought the tube a few months ago, maybe half a year or so. It lights up the enclosure well, and when i installed it i made sure at the level he will be its the appropriate amount of uv for him, but i cant recall the exact numbers right now.

Thought he might be impacted too, but he pooped a few hours ago.

The move will stress him out its called relocation stress -- please NO more cabbage - posting a nutrition website ignore the kale its a good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldrahgons.com/Nutrition.html
the UVB should not be over 15 inches above the basking decor 12-15 is appropriate
CHE is a ceramic heat emitter -- if hes moving away from the basking light and not sitting under it for long periods of time its too hot - please lower the temp to 95-100 F

 

[Nephaleim]

The move will stress him out its called relocation stress -- please NO more cabbage - posting a nutrition website ignore the kale its a good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldrahgons.com/Nutrition.html
the UVB should not be over 15 inches above the basking decor 12-15 is appropriate
CHE is a ceramic heat emitter -- if hes moving away from the basking light and not sitting under it for long periods of time its too hot - please lower the temp to 95-100 F

Okay, thanks for the suggestion!
The UVB is about 13 inches from the basking spot, so that's comfy.
I setup the CHE to keep the temps at 26+/-2C and im gonna raise the heat lamp a bit.

But also, knowing this guy he doesnt strike me as one to get stressed by new surroundings. The previous owner used to take him out quite a bit, and even to cafes and such. At one point when she was sick, he was with me for two weeks, in a completely new place along with cats. And he was always super chill and kinda curious, not stressed at all. So I'm more inclined to think he is in pain.

 

[Sadie]

Okay, thanks for the suggestion!
The UVB is about 13 inches from the basking spot, so that's comfy.
I setup the CHE to keep the temps at 26+/-2C and im gonna raise the heat lamp a bit.

But also, knowing this guy he doesnt strike me as one to get stressed by new surroundings. The previous owner used to take him out quite a bit, and even to cafes and such. At one point when she was sick, he was with me for two weeks, in a completely new place along with cats. And he was always super chill and kinda curious, not stressed at all. So I'm more inclined to think he is in pain.

Ok quite possible-- I would get him in for a check up and again NO enemas!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

He does seem to be breathing a bit labored. You aren't seeing any mucous around the nose or in the
mouth right now?
What brand of tube UVB are you using?
He does have a bit of a black beard there & he looks a little dehydrated also. Are you able to get some
oral fluids into him using a plastic dropper or syringe?
As Karrie suggested try to keep him a little warmer overnight, around 75-80F to help boost his immune
system.
Do you have any way to nebulize him with colloidal silver in case he is developing a respiratory issue?
What type of substrate are you using, a loose or solid substrate?

Tracie

 

[Nephaleim]

Ok quite possible-- I would get him in for a check up and again NO enemas!

He did poop so I don't think an enema will be needed, but I'll note nonetheless.

I think, and pretty sure, he is in pain.
Already contacted a vet, I'm gonna go there tomorrow I hope. I think even if I dont get an appointment ill go to the vet nonetheless because I don't want to be waiting for them

 

[Nephaleim]

Hello,

He does seem to be breathing a bit labored. You aren't seeing any mucous around the nose or in the
mouth right now?
What brand of tube UVB are you using?
He does have a bit of a black beard there & he looks a little dehydrated also. Are you able to get some
oral fluids into him using a plastic dropper or syringe?
As Karrie suggested try to keep him a little warmer overnight, around 75-80F to help boost his immune
system.
Do you have any way to nebulize him with colloidal silver in case he is developing a respiratory issue?
What type of substrate are you using, a loose or solid substrate?

Tracie

I dont know what colloidal silver is. I don't think its a respiratory issue anymore, there is no mucos or clicking, sniffing, coughing.
The substrate is cocofiber but there isn't much of it anymore and he doesnt hang around it much, mostly is above substrate.

He isnt interested in water or food

 

[Sadie]

I dont know what colloidal silver is. I don't think its a respiratory issue anymore, there is no mucos or clicking, sniffing, coughing.
The substrate is cocofiber but there isn't much of it anymore and he doesnt hang around it much, mostly is above substrate.

He isnt interested in water or food

Ok the cocofiber is not a good substrate please clean what is left out -- this might be the cause of the issues your having -- please clean the tank out and you can use some paper towels for now -- I was looking at your placement for the basking bulb and it should not be any closer than 6" to him -- risk for burns -- here is a website for the silver Tracie mentioned https://www.vitacost.com/natural-pa...id=84a62c073861151f0be34bee71f2035f&gclsrc=ds
please keep him hydrated - him not interested in eating or drinking is not good -- here is a website to find a reptile vet in your area - if your in a small town/ area type in the biggest cities zip code to you posting 2 sites one is for the states the other is for out of US

https://members.arav.org/search/custom.asp?id=3661

Herp Veterinarians

Extensive information on the captive care and behavior of green iguanas, and other reptiles and amphibians, by Melissa Kaplan, author of Iguanas for Dummies.

www.anapsid.org

 

[Nephaleim]

Ok the cocofiber is not a good substrate please clean what is left out -- this might be the cause of the issues your having -- please clean the tank out and you can use some paper towels for now -- I was looking at your placement for the basking bulb and it should not be any closer than 6" to him -- risk for burns -- here is a website for the silver Tracie mentioned https://www.vitacost.com/natural-pa...id=84a62c073861151f0be34bee71f2035f&gclsrc=ds
please keep him hydrated - him not interested in eating or drinking is not good -- here is a website to find a reptile vet in your area - if your in a small town/ area type in the biggest cities zip code to you posting 2 sites one is for the states the other is for out of US

https://members.arav.org/search/custom.asp?id=3661

Herp Veterinarians

Extensive information on the captive care and behavior of green iguanas, and other reptiles and amphibians, by Melissa Kaplan, author of Iguanas for Dummies.

www.anapsid.org

I already contacted my vet. Im waiting for a reply now.
I will not force him or move him much until I get to the vet. Whatever is the issue now nitpicking will not help him until tomorrow.

But changing out the cocofiber for a paper towel might be a good idea for now.

I'll let you guys know about the update