NEED HELP! IM WORRIED

[Philly215]

I bought a 4 month old beardie (at least thats what the pet store told me) about 2 weeks ago. I have followed everything that this website has told me to do and everything was going well until today. He started shedding yesterday and when I came home from work today and took him out he seems to be breathing a little heavy and he keeps opening his mouth and sticking his tounge out, when he does this he makes a little sound too. I gave him a bath before he started doing it. Im afraid this is a sign of being overheated but I dont know how b/c all the temps are good(105-108 in basking spot, 75-80 on cool side). I'm a little worried and I'm not sure what to do. I've had him in my hand for the last 45 mins.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Sounds like it could be a bit of an upper respiratory infection! Is he wheezing? Is all the shed off? Did you try to give him water? If he is wheezing maby it would be a good idea to have a vet checkup!! What is the noise you are hearing? Is it coming from his mouth or chest area? Just my 2cents...Hope this help.

 

[Philly215]

It didnt sound like wheezing at all. He just finished shedding for the most part this morning and he only was doing it outside the cage. I had just given him a bath so he was drinking the water off his snout in there and the noise is coming from his mouth it seems like, it was almost liking he was growling but since then he has been back in his tank and seems happy as usual. I'm a new owner so I'm hoping I'm just worried about nothing. I'm looking for a vet around here to take him to get checked up anyway.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Hi There,
If your in the Philadelphia area I know a good reptile vet in the area.
Its hard to guess if you need a vet or not. If a dragon displays things 1 time it may not be an issue. I would watch for a pattern of behavior that is out of the norm. If your beardie gets lethargic or stops eating or doesnt poop, you may have a problem.
If your local to philly, feel free to contact me and ask questions directly.

 

[LaShomb]

My keepper dose the same thing befor and after sheding. What i have found to be helpfol is to look in his nostrols and see if there is any thing stuck in side. Some time they do not shed the outer part of there nastrol and it needs to be pould off for them. I use a pare of small twesers, your BD will proboly not like it baut if it keeps hapuning he/she will get use to it. My keepper now expetes me to do this for him on a weekly basis.

 

[Philly215]

I really think it was something to do with the shedding because he was great all day today, he even ate his greens for the first time. I'm still going to take him to the vet to be on the safe side

 

[diamc]

The shedding may have something to do with it but it could also be from drinking and he may have aspirated a little bit of water which can happen if they drink to fast. It wouldn't hurt getting him checked out just in case. Glad to hear that he is acting better though.