Smilobar
Member
Hello! I've been coming to this site for years now, and I love how everyone is so helpful. I've read other posts about swollen beards/necks, but none quite look like the one on my big guy. I was hoping someone could give me some info on my rescue beardie, Otis.
Otis is 7 years old, and I've had him for 4 years now. I picked him up after he was abandoned at a reptile store by his owner. He definitely wasn't properly fed or heated as he grew. He has long curled nails, kinked toes, a crooked tail, and doesn't prop himself up very well. He is sluggish and always has been, but eats healthy (dark greens, squash, beardie bites, beardie pellets, dubia roaches, super worms, occasional canned grasshoppers that are cut up, occasional mixed veggies). I had a prior rescue that did the same thing but was in much worse condition when I got him, so I'm used to those issues.
The main problem currently is a sudden swollen beard. He isn't acting any different, just a large swollen beard that popped up this morning. Temps haven't changed (cool side is 83, warm side by the basking area is high 80s to low 90s, basking spot is about 100), I have a new Reptisun 10.0 tube light that was installed a few months ago (is the correct distance and length of the tank). Substrate is shelf liner, the tank is always kept very clean (tank is 48x24x18).
I just noticed the swelling this morning, so I haven't been able to see if he's going to eat today. He hasn't eaten for a day or two, which is common for him. But since I haven't seen his beard swell like this, I thought I'd see if others have seen this kind of swelling before. There are no hard parts in the beard, it feels squishy, like a water balloon. When I touch it or move it, it doesn't seem to hurt him, he just lets me do whatever to him :lol: Here are some pictures:
He's my big handsome boy, I'm hoping someone can take a look and see if maybe it's nothing to worry about, or if it could be a bigger issue. I plan on making a vet appointment in the next few days if it doesn't go down on it's own. Thanks for reading!
*EDIT* My husband tried offering him a small/medium dubia this morning and he didn't seem interested. He watched it, wouldn't take his eyes off of it, but didn't go for it. I've made an appointment with the vet but he won't be able to be seen until Monday.
Otis is 7 years old, and I've had him for 4 years now. I picked him up after he was abandoned at a reptile store by his owner. He definitely wasn't properly fed or heated as he grew. He has long curled nails, kinked toes, a crooked tail, and doesn't prop himself up very well. He is sluggish and always has been, but eats healthy (dark greens, squash, beardie bites, beardie pellets, dubia roaches, super worms, occasional canned grasshoppers that are cut up, occasional mixed veggies). I had a prior rescue that did the same thing but was in much worse condition when I got him, so I'm used to those issues.
The main problem currently is a sudden swollen beard. He isn't acting any different, just a large swollen beard that popped up this morning. Temps haven't changed (cool side is 83, warm side by the basking area is high 80s to low 90s, basking spot is about 100), I have a new Reptisun 10.0 tube light that was installed a few months ago (is the correct distance and length of the tank). Substrate is shelf liner, the tank is always kept very clean (tank is 48x24x18).
I just noticed the swelling this morning, so I haven't been able to see if he's going to eat today. He hasn't eaten for a day or two, which is common for him. But since I haven't seen his beard swell like this, I thought I'd see if others have seen this kind of swelling before. There are no hard parts in the beard, it feels squishy, like a water balloon. When I touch it or move it, it doesn't seem to hurt him, he just lets me do whatever to him :lol: Here are some pictures:
He's my big handsome boy, I'm hoping someone can take a look and see if maybe it's nothing to worry about, or if it could be a bigger issue. I plan on making a vet appointment in the next few days if it doesn't go down on it's own. Thanks for reading!
*EDIT* My husband tried offering him a small/medium dubia this morning and he didn't seem interested. He watched it, wouldn't take his eyes off of it, but didn't go for it. I've made an appointment with the vet but he won't be able to be seen until Monday.