Brumation and Clicking Noise?

[riceko]

Hello everyone,
I've been noticing some strange things the last few days.
First I wanna say Scorch is about 8 months old, I've got her in a 30 gal tank with a T-Rex MVB... I never mist but occasionally will give her a bath.

So Ive been noticing whenever I have her out she always runs around digging under stuff like shes trying to find a place to sleep.. is this normal? Even way before bedtime. She also has been digging and trying to go to sleep earlier, like an hour earlier. For an 8 month old, is this ok?

And the clicking noise... I have only heard her do it while in a bath. She does it a couple times now and then and its coupled with a slight beard puff. I think I also heard what sounded like a faint hiss during yesterdays bath, while she was just sitting doing nothing. Its pretty weird.. I really hope she doesn't have an URI.

What do you all think?

I feel like such a bad mommy, but I totally have no money right now for a vet visit.. I haven't even taken her for a fecal since I got her X_x So I'm really hoping shes fine... although I know (and I kick myself everyday for it) that I NEED to save up money no matter what for the vet.

Thanks

 

[pscaulkins]

It could be a RI due to the clicking and hissing noises. Your beardie most likely needs to see a vet. I would not let her brumate with a RI and since you haven't had a fecal done either maybe taking her in for both at the same time will be cheaper for you. You could up her temps a bit as higher temps when they are ill helps them. What are your temps at night in her tank?

 

[lesleyg1989]

My beardie Zizou is completely fine otherwise but occasionally when it nuzzles into my neck I hear a little click I wasn't sure what this was is that ok or is that cause for concern?

 

[riceko]

Well my local reptile guy told me I dont need any extra heat at night... I live in Oregon and I have a heater unit which heats my house at night... we dont let it get below 60.

Yea I am going to take her to the vet. I hope I can earn the money soon enough to... I'm so worried about her :\ I dont want to be the reason she gets ill and is miserable.. I wont stand for it ToT

Im a pretty worrisome mommy x_x

 

[fresnowitte]

The clicking noise is a sign of a RI so you do want to get her to the vet asap. Beardies should not be allowed to brumate before being checked out and clear of parasites as well. Just confirming what pscaulkins said.

Do you see any saliva stringing from the upper to lower jaw when she opens her mouth?
Does she tend to hold her nose up higher than she was before?
Do you hear any signs of breathing difficulties?

Actually if your house drops below 65* for very many nights in a row you do need additional heat a RI is a good reason why. You might want to purchase a Ceramic Heat Emitter for the night time. :wink:

Also I noticed that you said you were using a MVB in a 30 gal viv...Can I ask what your daytime temps are basking and cool end? I ask because normally we would not use a MVB on anything smaller than a 40gal viv.
I have used a 100watt on a 37 gal before without problems....but any smaller it's almost impossible to create the right temp radiant.

 

[riceko]

In her bask it is usually about 95-100 degrees... the cool side is usually 75-80.

I'm sending a fecal in tomorrow because she stopped eating. If they dont find parasites, I will have an exam done. I will definitely do whatever it takes to find out whats wrong and get it treated. Thank goodness I have parents who will help me pay for all this. If I was on my own, I'd probably be finding Scorch a new home.

I knew I probably should have looked in to a ceramic heat emitter. I talked to the reptile store owner and he said he doesn't need any additional heat for his (he's a huge BD enthusiast). But if I find out it is in fact a URI she's sick with, I'm going to IOU my 'rents a little more for a ceramic heat emitter.

Thanks for all the helpful information Barbara! I thought I knew exactly what to do for my beardie and had everything right... but when you actually bring the little pooper home, you find out by experience all the things you didn't know, and that you actually know very little. I hope my second BD purchase is less stressful!

 

[fresnowitte]

Dear don't feel bad they keep us jumping all the time. Just when you think you have it all figured out something else will pop up. :roll: I've had beardies for several years now an I'm stilling learning things new about them. And each one is quite different from the next... but it does get easier and less stressful. :wink:

Hope the vet visit comes out okay.
Please keep us posted as to what you find out.
Good thing for parents that are willing to help out...huh?