Respiratory Infection

[Benbenz]

Hi, I need some guidance. My bearded dragon has been struggling with RI once more, and it has happened far too many times than I've liked it too. He's gone to the vet so many times and seen an exotics vet to get the issue fixed.. only for it to come back. I really wouldn't like to take him back to the vet once again because of this, and if there's any possible way is there at home treatments. Of course, if it's an absolute must.. he will revisit the vet, but I want to prevent this.

I'm not sure what's causing this, part of me thinks it has to do with humidity, but it's quite hard to gauge it. I have zoomed humidity+temperature trackers on both side of the tanks. I'm not sure if they're inaccurate, though. On the cool side, the humidity averages around 30. On the warm side, it reads as 22 right now. I expect it to be lower because of the heat, of course, and I'm aware humidity is good around 20-30(40?)%, so im not sure why these issues keep reoccurring frequently. I've even previously tried placing a wet rag into the tank on the warm side, and even still he falls ill, so I stopped.

My bearded dragons tank is 40 gallons, and he's about a year old. He has a tube uvb bulb that sits on top of the tank, but I've made sure to place something to get him closer, as I know the screen cuts off a lot of the effects from it. His heat bulb is 100 watts. The vets have commented that he is very physically healthy.

As for his diet, he regularly eats collard green as a staple, sprinkled with calcium 5 days a week and vitamins 2 days a week. He'll get something along with them sometimes, such as cucumber, bell peppers, and very occasional parsley. He eats Dubai roaches as a staple, which also get dusted when needed. The vet suggested occasional soaking, which is done, where the water is never too high for it to enter his nostrils and ear holes.

I really need help!! I can't have him getting sick anymore, and I want to get down to the issue.

 

[Sadie]

Hi, I need some guidance. My bearded dragon has been struggling with RI once more, and it has happened far too many times than I've liked it too. He's gone to the vet so many times and seen an exotics vet to get the issue fixed.. only for it to come back. I really wouldn't like to take him back to the vet once again because of this, and if there's any possible way is there at home treatments. Of course, if it's an absolute must.. he will revisit the vet, but I want to prevent this.

I'm not sure what's causing this, part of me thinks it has to do with humidity, but it's quite hard to gauge it. I have zoomed humidity+temperature trackers on both side of the tanks. I'm not sure if they're inaccurate, though. On the cool side, the humidity averages around 30. On the warm side, it reads as 22 right now. I expect it to be lower because of the heat, of course, and I'm aware humidity is good around 20-30(40?)%, so im not sure why these issues keep reoccurring frequently. I've even previously tried placing a wet rag into the tank on the warm side, and even still he falls ill, so I stopped.

My bearded dragons tank is 40 gallons, and he's about a year old. He has a tube uvb bulb that sits on top of the tank, but I've made sure to place something to get him closer, as I know the screen cuts off a lot of the effects from it. His heat bulb is 100 watts. The vets have commented that he is very physically healthy.

As for his diet, he regularly eats collard green as a staple, sprinkled with calcium 5 days a week and vitamins 2 days a week. He'll get something along with them sometimes, such as cucumber, bell peppers, and very occasional parsley. He eats Dubai roaches as a staple, which also get dusted when needed. The vet suggested occasional soaking, which is done, where the water is never too high for it to enter his nostrils and ear holes.

I really need help!! I can't have him getting sick anymore, and I want to get down to the issue.

The uvb is what bulb? Is it a T 5 or T 8? Brand? How are you getting humidity readings? Stick on or digital probe hygrometer temps are being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-? What are they? Is the dragon wheezing any mucous coming out of the mouth or nose?

 

[Benbenz]

The uvb is what bulb? Is it a T 5 or T 8? Brand? How are you getting humidity readings? Stick on or digital probe hygrometer temps are being taken w/ a digital probe thermometer-? What are they? Is the dragon wheezing any mucous coming out of the mouth or nose?

The uvb is a tube t5 high output by zoomed, which is the same brand for the digital probe humidity trackers which I will link Here. Again, his cool side ranges from 30 at most, but can drop to around 26. His hot side is usually lower with the heat.. about 22.. but sometimes may drop under. he has been open mouth breathing a bit rapidly from time to time.

 

[Sadie]

The uvb is a tube t5 high output by zoomed, which is the same brand for the digital probe humidity trackers which I will link Here. Again, his cool side ranges from 30 at most, but can drop to around 26. His hot side is usually lower with the heat.. about 22.. but sometimes may drop under. he has been open mouth breathing a bit rapidly from time to time.

So the probes are good - 30 ? What are these ? Celsius? I would get the T 5 unobstructed - screens block 30% of the rays - you want the basking decor directly under the uvb 12-15 inches

 

[Benbenz]

So the probes are good - 30 ? What are these ? Celsius? I would get the T 5 unobstructed - screens block 30% of the rays - you want the basking decor directly under the uvb 12-15 inches

Oh, sorry, i should've specified, they're in Fahrenheit. The uvb is inside a hood, would it be possible to get it inside?

 

[Sadie]

Oh, sorry, i should've specified, they're in Fahrenheit. The uvb is inside a hood, would it be possible to get it inside?

So you have temps in the tank of 30 degrees 26 and 22 degrees?

 

[Benbenz]

Oh! Sorry I completely misunderstood again His temps are way higher than that! His cold side right now reads 77° F and his warm side is 92° F, but yes his humidity checks out as being 30% on the cool right now and currently 22% on the warm side right where he basks but it fluctuates sometimes as well

 

[Sadie]

Oh! Sorry I completely misunderstood again His temps are way higher than that! His cold side right now reads 77° F and his warm side is 92° F, but yes his humidity checks out as being 30% on the cool right now and currently 22% on the warm side right where he basks but it fluctuates sometimes as well

I would bump his surface basking temps up to 95-100 - the probe for the hygrometer should be in the back center wall of the tank - it will read your whole tank - they are arent bad readings -- how old is the UVB bulb? And its directly over a piece of basking decor he can get under?

 

[Benbenz]

I would bump his surface basking temps up to 95-100 - the probe for the hygrometer should be in the back center wall of the tank - it will read your whole tank - they are arent bad readings -- how old is the UVB bulb? And its directly over a piece of basking decor he can get under?

The bulb is only a few months, I'd say 5 or 6. I'm aware t5 bulbs are capable of lasting longer then a regular t8. He has a branch that he jumps to that gets him close to the bulb, where he also spends a lot of time

 

[Sadie]

The bulb is only a few months, I'd say 5 or 6. I'm aware t5 bulbs are capable of lasting longer then a regular t8. He has a branch that he jumps to that gets him close to the bulb, where he also spends a lot of time

Ok so lets post a video of him on youtube post link of his breathing etc - I need our vet tech on the board to address this and see what she thinks - so no discharge or wheezing etc? I dont know why this RI would keep coming back if all lights and temps are good --what meds has he been on?
@Drache613

 

[Benbenz]

Ok so lets post a video of him on youtube post link of his breathing etc - I need our vet tech on the board to address this and see what she thinks - so no discharge or wheezing etc? I dont know why this RI would keep coming back if all lights and temps are good --what meds has he been on?
@Drache613

As of currently, lights are off and he's going to bed. His open mouth breathing is occasional, and it isn't just him gaping or anything, as it happens off of his rock too. There's no discharge and theres no wheezibg. I'll try to catch a video of it happening in the morning. Bad news is, I do not recall the medicine he has been on because I unfortunately did not keep the bottle with its label!

 

[Sadie]

As of currently, lights are off and he's going to bed. His open mouth breathing is occasional, and it isn't just him gaping or anything, as it happens off of his rock too. There's no discharge and theres no wheezibg. I'll try to catch a video of it happening in the morning. Bad news is, I do not recall the medicine he has been on because I unfortunately did not keep the bottle with its label!

Can you contact the vet that prescribed it and get info from them please

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That would be helpful if you could remember what medication your dragon was on. Is he still on it?
What type of substrate are you using for him?
A video of him would be great so we can see his behavior. Are they sure he actually has a respiratory
infection? Perhaps it could be symptoms being caused by the environment.

Tracie

 

[Benbenz]

Hello,

That would be helpful if you could remember what medication your dragon was on. Is he still on it?
What type of substrate are you using for him?
A video of him would be great so we can see his behavior. Are they sure he actually has a respiratory
infection? Perhaps it could be symptoms being caused by the environment.

Tracie

Hi, so so sorry for the late reply.. I've been trying to capture a video of the breathing ,but it's not very often, and I haven't caught it while in the room. I have noticed there is the familiar RI clicking sound when he breathes.

As stated before, I don't remember the medication unfortunately. He hasn't been on it for weeks now.

His substrate is paper towels. His tank in general is bare bones, I'll admit ( and I am desperately searching for suggestions with it as well )

I'm likely going to take him to the vet. As previous times I've described the symptoms, they agreed it sounds like a respiratory infection. Maybe he needs testing done instead though.

I live in Indiana and temps are starting to plummet, and with that so is the humidity. Checking his humidity with the garages it shows his humidity on the cold side is 21% and on the warm is 18%

 

[Sadie]

Hi, so so sorry for the late reply.. I've been trying to capture a video of the breathing ,but it's not very often, and I haven't caught it while in the room. I have noticed there is the familiar RI clicking sound when he breathes.

As stated before, I don't remember the medication unfortunately. He hasn't been on it for weeks now.

His substrate is paper towels. His tank in general is bare bones, I'll admit ( and I am desperately searching for suggestions with it as well )

I'm likely going to take him to the vet. As previous times I've described the symptoms, they agreed it sounds like a respiratory infection. Maybe he needs testing done instead though.

I live in Indiana and temps are starting to plummet, and with that so is the humidity. Checking his humidity with the garages it shows his humidity on the cold side is 21% and on the warm is 18%

Humidity is not bad- the clicking is more than likely a RI-- substrate textured NON adhesive shelf liner- cut to the size of the tank

 

[Benbenz]

Humidity is not bad- the clicking is more than likely a RI-- substrate textured NON adhesive shelf liner- cut to the size of the tank

Do you know what could possibly be causing the reoccurrence of this then if humidity is okay?

I'm looking to add more things within his tank. Currently he has a rock to bask, where he can also go to hide under when needed.. and a branch that he uses to reach his uvb. Do you have suggestions of what I could add to his tank? I'd appreciate it!

 

[Sadie]

Do you know what could possibly be causing the reoccurrence of this then if humidity is okay?

I'm looking to add more things within his tank. Currently he has a rock to bask, where he can also go to hide under when needed.. and a branch that he uses to reach his uvb. Do you have suggestions of what I could add to his tank? I'd appreciate it!

What kind of screen on the tank? Fine mesh or wide hole type? He's got to have proper uvb to keep health issues away- what is the brand and bulb? Surface basking temps should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- this is imparitive to his health - please call the vet and get the meds he was in for how long and dosage please-- what is his substrate he's on?

 

[Benbenz]

What kind of screen on the tank? Fine mesh or wide hole type? He's got to have proper uvb to keep health issues away- what is the brand and bulb? Surface basking temps should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- this is imparitive to his health - please call the vet and get the meds he was in for how long and dosage please-- what is his substrate he's on?

Wide hole screen. Zoomed t5 high output bulb. It sits on top of the tank in a hood. I've been struggling for some time to get a fixture to fix into the tank itself. Temps are taken with zoomed probes. Again, he is on paper towel. I'll try to give the vet a call and or a visit since he will definitely be needing one

 

[Sadie]

Wide hole screen. Zoomed t5 high output bulb. It sits on top of the tank in a hood. I've been struggling for some time to get a fixture to fix into the tank itself. Temps are taken with zoomed probes. Again, he is on paper towel. I'll try to give the vet a call and or a visit since he will definitely be needing one

Get your uvb directly above the basking decor 8-10 inches-- post the meds he was on before for Tracie - she can help here

 

[Benbenz]

Get your uvb directly above the basking decor 8-10 inches-- post the meds he was on before for Tracie - she can help here

Hi, the meds were baytril for 7 days!