Can they get the hiccups? I'm very worried, HELP.

[BubbasDaddy]

He's about 10 months to a year old 18 inches long and temps are 105-108. So it sounds like he is sucking air in and out once quickly while bulging his beard looking up and opening his mouth. His appetite has been abnormal lately and he's less active. I thought it might be a mild brumation even though he's still young untill this started happening today. It's happen about 20 times today and he was still doing it after his lights turned off. HELP!!!

 

[Tigg]

How are the humidity levels inside the enclosure?

Does the sound resemble a "clicking" noise?

Gaping mouth should only happen for short periods of time (unless temps are too high) or when they are basking, It's how they thermoregulate themselves. What you are describing here sounds like he is gasping for breath.

You may want to consider a visit to the vet as soon as possible, it sounds a like laboured breathing do to a Upper Respitory Infection.

someone with some more experience may chime in soon and give you some advice on how to care for him until you are able to get to a vet.

 

[BubbasDaddy]

Yes, it does kind of sound like a click. I don't have a hydrometer sorry. It's not gaping I know what that looks like he does it when he basks sometimes, he just opens his mouth for a moment. I guess it does sound like he is gasping for breath. Can to much humitity cause an infection like this, I dont think its to much higher than 30% maybe 50%?

 

[Tigg]

Yes, too much humidity can lead to a URI, you will need to get your beardie to a vet, he will prescribe an oral antibiotic for you and it really should be done as soon as possible.

you will also want to invest in a hydrometer to make sure the humidity levels inside the enclosure are below 30%. To do this you may have to add more ventilation to the enclosure, not leave any water in for longer than a few hours, or maybe even invest in a de humidifier for your house.

Sorry about all this bad news, please keep us posted on how everything goes....

 

[BubbasDaddy]

Does anyone know about how much the visit and oral prescription will cost? I can't believe I let this happen, I did all my research and built a nice custom encloseure to.

 

[Jiffy]

Hope your beardie is ok. I think visit charges vary a lot around the country. I think it is about $50 for a visit when I take mine. As far as meds, I dont really have any idea.

 

[BubbasDaddy]

Thanks anyway Jiffy.

 

[Tigg]

Just to give you something to go by.... Here in Canada, the initial cost to see a hrp vet is $50 under 11" and $65 over 11" Don't forget this is in Canadian "Funny Money" lol.

As for the Meds, It will mainly depend on how serious things are and how thorough you want to be, I am going to take a stab in the dark and say anywhere from $15-40. The vet will most likely want to get a fecal float done, and run blood tests... These are optional to you.

 

[BubbasDaddy]

Thankyou Tigg you have been very informative.

 

[Tigg]

Hope everything goes well for Bubba, keep up posted!!

 

[chancellor91]

my total cost for a pet visit wiht medications and stuff was 92 dollars, yours will be close to this im sure

sorry but its worth it they fixed my ppoor beardie

chancellor

 

[BubbasDaddy]

Okay, I got a hygrometer yesterday and the humidity is 24% 110 degrees in the basking spot, 43% 82 degrees on the cool side of the enclosure, and 48% 78 degrees in the room (all taken in the middle of the day).

Behavior: he hasn't done the clicking hiccup thing since that night, being very lazy past couple of months, eats every other day past couple of weeks (normally would eat every day) but he eats a normal amount.

What do y'all think?