Help bearded dragon gasping and gapping

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
So i thought she was doing alot better but i think you guys right and that the gasping was the start of a RI cause i just saw some bubbles or saliva on her mouth. I think im going to the vet monday because i don't want to take chances. It gonna be taking all my money lol but i think its the right thing.
I will update again soon
Thanks
Ok bubbles and extra saliva is not good --- here is a website for a vet
www.arav.org
if your in a small town type in the biggest cities zip code closest to you
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
Thanks i have a vet that knows her. Shes actually the one that diagnosed her with arthritis. Im pretty stressed cause i know how fast an RI can worsen. They arent open sundays so i have to call first thing tommorow to get an appointment asap
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
While im waiting to get the appiontment is there anything i can do to help her? Ive increased hef basking temp and i ordered a uvb light but is therd anything else?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
While im waiting to get the appiontment is there anything i can do to help her? Ive increased hef basking temp and i ordered a uvb light but is therd anything else?
watch the humidity in the tank --- RI's are usually caused by humidity being too low -- you want it anywhere from 30-50% -- make sure your using a digital probe hygrometer --- Tracie can better help on the medical advise -- do you have a ceramic heat emitter? that would be good for night time -- temp around 80
@Drache613
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
Hello,

She looks good, how is she doing today?
As Karrie suggested, it would be helpful to upgrade your UVB lighting, just to optimize the
overall tank condition.
Is there anything that you have changed in her tank that could be affecting her breathing?
I would definitely watch her closely to be sure she doesn't develop more severe symptoms.
Are you keeping her a little warmer overnight to help boost her system?
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie
Im taking her to the vet soon cause shes got bubbles on her mouth. Is there anything i can do while i wait for my appointment.
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
Ok so i got a vet appointment on thursday which seems extremely far away. Is there anything i can do while i wait. Im really worried its gonna be too late by the time i get to the vet.
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
Hi there, did you get the new heat bulb ? You really don't need a pet store bulb, you can get a halogen flood bulb or incandescent from Walmart , Lowe's, Home Depot. It would be helpful to get the heat at least 5 degrees higher and around 80 at night, you can use a ceramic heat emitter [ CHE ] for night heat. No colored bulbs though.

You mention that she runs quickly at times, I don't think that sounds like she has arthritis. Is she supposed to be on those meds. for life ? Can you post a video of her breathing and try to catch her running or at least walking as well ?
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
Hi there, did you get the new heat bulb ? You really don't need a pet store bulb, you can get a halogen flood bulb or incandescent from Walmart , Lowe's, Home Depot. It would be helpful to get the heat at least 5 degrees higher and around 80 at night, you can use a ceramic heat emitter [ CHE ] for night heat. No colored bulbs though.

You mention that she runs quickly at times, I don't think that sounds like she has arthritis. Is she supposed to be on those meds. for life ? Can you post a video of her breathing and try to catch her running or at least walking as well ?
She runs after she gets her meds. The vets diagnosed her after an x ray. Shes not running right now she's got a pretty bad RI. do you have any advice while i wait for her vet appointment on thursday
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
No I don't , just to keep the temps. up a bit. I hope everything turns out O.K !
BTW you did mention that she was running a lot in your first post, that's why I mentioned it. Another thing, is this a he or she ? You used both terms. The belly looks like a female with eggs.
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
No I don't , just to keep the temps. up a bit. I hope everything turns out O.K !
BTW you did mention that she was running a lot in your first post, that's why I mentioned it. Another thing, is this a he or she ? You used both terms. The belly looks like a female with eggs.
it is a girl. I sometimes call her a guy by accident because i just found out she was a female and had been referring to her as he for like 6 years lol. she was running alot when I originally started this chat however, over the last few days her condition has deteriorated and she has stopped any activity whatsoever. As i said before she has a vet appointment on Thursday but im still very worried because ive read about people that have lost their bearded dragon because they didn't get them to the vet on time.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

The mustard greens are fine for a greens staple. How often do you give the mustard greens?
I can do some research on that for you also, regarding mustard greens & arthritis. Which medication
is she on for arthritis?
Let us know how things go at the vets, hopefully she doesn't have a respiratory infection. Please keep
us posted on how she is doing.

Tracie
 

Hoku

Member
Original Poster
Hello,

The mustard greens are fine for a greens staple. How often do you give the mustard greens?
I can do some research on that for you also, regarding mustard greens & arthritis. Which medication
is she on for arthritis?
Let us know how things go at the vets, hopefully she doesn't have a respiratory infection. Please keep
us posted on how she is doing.

Tracie
She is on meloxicam for her arthritis. As far as the vet i have to wait till thursday. Im also worried becuase all of hef fat pads on both her head and tail are gone. Her eyes still seem bright which i think is good but omg waiting for her vet appointment has literally been the longest days of my life!
 

bussdebo

Member
Beardie name(s)
Cierra, Freya, Grrl
Ive had my bearded dragon for about 6 years. A couple months ago i took him to the vet because he had been gasping or gaping for a few week and i was afraid he had a respiratory infection. The vet did tests and said he didnt have an infection but he did have arthritis and gave me pain medication. He has been fine for a while however he has starting gasping and snorting or coughing in his sleep. I don't know if he is stressed because we also just moved to a new house. He is still very active, running around his cage, and is eating very well. Im still extremely worried however because after he has any kind of liquid he starts gasping and coughing again. I want to take him to the vet, however i am extremely tight on money. PLEASE PLEASE
 

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