Gasping for air UPDATED CHECK COMMENTS

[Cassieo8]

My beardie has been doing this for a few days, she keeps puffing up then like releasing all this air and makes like a sticking or clicking noise when her mouth opens. Is this normal? She usually does it closer to night time but will do it throughout the day as well.
Still new at the whole bearded dragon thing so I freak out over everything lol.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Did you recently give her a bath?
Is she wheezing or coughing at all when she exhales the air out or any other time?
Please review your tank setup such as the temperatures, lighting, humidity & substrate for us.
She could be developing a respiratory issue or it could just be a behavioral thing. They can sometimes make strange noises & blow their beards out a lot when they are going to shed their face & beard area.

Tracie

 

[Cassieo8]

She's currently trying to shed her head and tail right now. She isn't coughing or wheezing. It's kind of like she's doing a bearded dragon version of a burp. Like she will puff up a bit and just let out air and swallow.

 

[CooperDragon]

If she's shedding then she is most likely puffing out to try and loosen the skin. That's pretty common and isn't something to worry about.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh ok, then it is likely going to be related to her shedding. They will do a lot of skin stretching during this time as well as making noises like forced exhalation, etc.
How is she doing today?

Tracie

 

[Cassieo8]

Yeah it's like she's forcing air out but she acts perfectly normal like usual and eats a lot and poops and drinks water

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great, that sounds perfectly normal then. If her nostrils are clogged up then she may be forcing air out to try & help the shedding process along. Does she beard out too when she does this?
The main thing is that it isn't sounding like a respiratory infection.

Tracie

 

[Cassieo8]

Hello, my beardie is still doing this and I'm scared there might be something wrong, my temps are around 30 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, do I need to get another heat lamp for her? Would that be the problem? She is still normal, will eat, drink, is very active and poops regularily. Is this a RI or a regular behaviour thing she does? Please help

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

You have the basking spot at 30-32C? You meant C not Farenheit, correct?
If so, yes, that needs to come up quite a bit actually. It should be in a range of 35 to 43C really. What are your cool side temperatures & what are you measuring the temperatures with?
Does she have any mucous in her mouth or nose that you can see?


Tracie

 

[Cassieo8]

OH yeah sorry I meant Celsius. And they are measuring strips or something. I don't remember what they are called and I don't see any mucus and I'm not sure what the cool side is, ive had to split the tank in half because it was too big for her and I don't have another thermometer to put in. And how would I increase the temperatures? Do I use a different heat lamp or add another one? She's also just recently started hanging her mouth open every once in a while, usually while basking, a couple times while not basking but has been doing it quite a bit while basking

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The measuring strips may not be very accurate for the temperatures. I would highly recommend trying to get either a digital probe or a temp gun to help with accuracy.
You could get a slightly higher wattage of basking bulb, to help increase the temperatures a little bit.
That would definitely contribute to respiratory issues.
If she has her mouth open somewhat often, she may be having some trouble breathing.
How is she doing today?


Tracie

 

[Cassieo8]

She's normal like usual, eats a lot, active, poops, drinks, etc. And my bulb is 160 W. Do I need a higher one? Or do you think the strips are inaccurate?

 

[diamc]

It sounds like you are using a mercury vapor bulb that supplies heat & UV rays? Any idea what brand it is? If it is indeed a MVB, the distance to your beardie while in the basking spot should be 18", is that the distance you have it?

Yes, the digital strips are inaccurate. You need either a temperature gun or digital probe thermometer in order to get good readings. It's hard for us to say if you need more wattage or not until you get a good way to get the readings.

Good to hear she is eating, active and acting normally otherwise. How is her breathing doing?

 

[Cassieo8]

Solar glow sun simulating bulb, 160 watts, uv light heat and he breathing seems fine. I think the light was too close, I took it away a bit and I'll get a temp gun or whatever tomorrow to see and of its too close does that cause problems too? If so would making more distance help?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How close was the light?
The 160 watt should technically be at least 14 inches from him. I hope you are able to find a temp gun also so you can be sure the temperatures are optimal but not too hot.
How is he doing today?

Tracie