Abnormal head movements?

[ducky617]

I was watching my beardie in its cage today and noticed that it sort of puffed up only the lower part of his mouth (bottom part of jaw), and then would sortof lurch his head forward. My girlfriend says that she has seen him do this a few times before.

Is this normal?

 

[citrusdragon]

Sounds like he's just stretching to me, are there any other behaviors to indicate a problem?

Jeff

 

[Ducky61706]

No, not really. It just looks like he is dry heeving. ya know? sorta like hes gonna throw up but nothing comes out :silent: and he opens his mouth a litlle.

 

[citrusdragon]

Is he a baby?juvie?adult?
Has he been eating worms, or full size crickets that may be getting caught in the throat?
Does it happen after he eats?
Is he make a rasping noise when he does it?
Is he eating and drinking regularly?

He definitely could be trying to throw up, if that's what you suspect. It usually happens when a food is too large or gets caught, I've seen it happen mostly with superworms, occasionally crickets. If there is no vomit, the breathing gets heavy and there's a raspy noise it could be respiratory, in which case a vet visit would be better. I've had dragons with both conditions.

Jeff

 

[scion]

Not to scare you , but that was the first sign i saw when i lost ziggy.
lost him a week later. Make sure to keep himhydrated, and in my opinion though i'm no expert, get him to a vet.
Might be nothing but i'm a little jumping after losing the zigster.

 

[ducky617]

hes a baby ( around 4 months old). a little bigger than what the picture shows on Duck61706 picture thingy on the rock. (very good description, eh?) we feed him crickets (small ones) around 15 each day. We also feed him veggies (loves carrots but his poopy was sorta orange so we took it out to make sure that it was just the carrots) and apples.

its not right after he eats. last time i saw it happen was about 4 or 5 hours after he ate. I have not heard any noise either.

he also usually does have water by himself. i either have to put drops on his nose and he will lick it off (somewhat tedious, but very cute), or give him a bath to keep him hydrated.

another thing, related to the vet. i am told by my girlys cousin that the vets around here do not really help out with the beardies.

I will keep an eye out and try to keep tabs on when he does this "gag" action.