Croaking Sound

[Cakes37]

My beardie started shedding around the head and body area today. I went to give him a quick soak until he pooped and dried him before I put him back in the tank. As I was about to put him back in the tank I notice him puffing his beard a lot and making a vibration croaking sound. I don't know if this is because of him trying to get the dead skin around his beard or something else. He hasn't done anything like this before. Could it be a respiratory infection? He's eating well and all, the only time he loses appetite is when he sheds on his legs, arms and tail.

 

[CooperDragon]

I haven't heard them make a croaking sound before, but the beard flaring could definitely be attributed to loosening skin for a shed. Do you see excess thick mucous around his mouth and nose? Is he exhibiting a frequent coughing behavior (puffing up and then opening his mouth)? If not, then it's not likely a respiratory infection.

 

[Cakes37]

Thanks for the reply! It probably was because of the shedding since he hasn't done anymore of the sound since yesterday morning. There's no mucus around the nose and mouth area and I haven't notice him couching either.

I have another problem that I noticed a few days ago. The smell of his poop is stronger these past few days. I just started giving him crickets a few days ago too. Could this be because of the new diet? I could only give him a few crickets each day since I find it hard to catch them in the container and I continue to feed him meal worms after the crickets until he stops eating.

 

[CooperDragon]

It's likely the change in diet. Crickets can make poops pretty stinky as I recall.