My beardy is making a coughing noise? Worried!

[Felly]

Ok so my beardy jubby has never had any health problems as far as I know. But for the last like week or so. He seems to be randomly making this sound. It sounds like coughing? Hes beard puffs out a bit. Sort of a squeak? A puff of air. Tonight hes done it like 10 times while just sitting with me. Hes not sluggish or anything. Just wondering if it could be normal? Ive been wanting to take him to this reptile vet but we just found out im pregnant and were trying to save. Any
help would be appreciated!
P.s. Its getting realllly cold here. If that makes a difference.

 

[kcarello]

Sounds like respritory issue. What are the temps in his viv and what are you using to measure them?

 

[Coliosis]

I agree with Kelly. Also what is the humidity in his tank?

 

[Felly]

I keep his temp set at 34.5. But its a glass tank and right now its just at 28. Ive got blankets all around it to try keep the heat in. and please dont judge! But I dont have a humidity thing. I keep a large water dish in there for him. hes also had crushed walnut shells in like 1/4 of his tank for the last 4 months or so. He loves it ,buries right in it. Im worried hes breathed some in. I realize I sound like a horrible owner. But hes my first reptile and hes like my baby. Im going to take the sand out tomorrow and buy a little humidity thermometer. And hopefully take him to this awesome vet at a widlife sanctuary to get him checked over. Hes not sluggish hes still got an appetite and his eyes and mouth look normal.

 

[Coliosis]

Okay well sounds like there are a few things that need to be fixed, but don't be hard on yourself, at least you're trying to help him
Beardies need a hot end and a cool end in their tank, not just one overall temperature. It should go from about 100*f at the basking surface, to around 80-85*f in the cool end. Also if you are using the stick on thermometers they are useless, can be off by 20*f, go for a digital with a probe or a temp gun. You can get a cheap one at walmart, as well as the hygrometer (for measuring humidity).
Also I've read horrible things about crushed walnut shells, as well as sand, so good to get rid of those and just use something that isn't loose such as tile (I LOVE my tiles lol so easy to clean) or paper towels, newspaper...
I'd also take the large water dish at ASAP as most beardies don't drink from them and they normally raise the humidity way too much. You can keep your beardie hydrated by giving baths every other day, from their veggies, and also you can spray their nose with water and let them lick it off. Personally I just use a needless syringe and give all my beardies lots of water that way.
Does he have a UVB light as well?
It's great that he's still active and eating, but if it is a respiratory problem it would be best to have him looked at ASAP.

 

[Felly]

Ive got a probe thermometer for the heat but nothing for humidity. Also I live in australia. No walmarts. Lol. Tiles sound like a perfect idea. I could go get some cut to fit his tank. They wont get too warm on his belly will they? They sands def coming out tomorrow. And ill get a syringe too. Im so freaked out. In australia pet stores are **** they sell bark and paper shavings and walnut shells as substrate. And I get told by "the reptile girl" who works there that theyre fine. Then again when I bought him at 6 mo.ths he was juat bigger than a hatching. So bs. If it is an issue with his respitory system what can they do? Like lizard meds? And also yes he has a uvb light on all day.

 

[MikeILC]

My baby's doing the same thing as you described update on your dragon?

 

[kcarello]

How is your baby doing? What kind of uvb light do you have? Coil/compact or tube?
How did the vet visit go?
Please let us know how he is doing
Kelly

 

[Felly]

Hey guys. I ended up changing his whole tank set up. I took out his water dish, replaced his sand with tiles and insulated his tank more (its winter here)..i ended up buying a reptisun 10.0 tube as I was told they are the best. His behaviour improved within a day and I think he had the beginings of a respitory problem but once the water was gone he stopped coughing. ALSO it wasnt always a cou gh ive discovered. he was puffing up a littttle bit like angrily and the noise he made sounded like a cough. After buying the new light ($80) and his behaviour improved I cancelled his appointment (i was broke as hell by this point) im still going to take him into the vet at the end of winter but hes alot better now. Obviously I wouldnt reccomend for anyone else to just try to fix the problem on their own. If you think somethings wrong. Take your BD to the vet! Im so glad my babys feeling better.

 

[kcarello]

Proper husbandry makes all the difference in the world!!!
Glad your baby is doing better!!
Kelly

 

[Felly]

I know right. It was crazy how quickly he changed.