Nova has become very sick

reptilemaster

Gray-bearded Member
I looks to me like he has a strange ri.
I saw strange because I was sick last week with a very sore throat and not any other symptoms. I handled him the very least during the few days I was sick.
So he very much looks like he has a sore throat now, he keeps acting like he's trying to spit something out and also swallowing.
I'm not sure what I can do for him, I've been trying to keep him warm but he keeps leaving the basking spot.
Also I keep seeing online that bearded dragons can't get a cold from humans, but my experience with previous ones suggests to me that they can easily get them.
He also does seem to be a more delicate one....
Sorry if this is a weird post, I've not been on here for a long time.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
I looks to me like he has a strange ri.
I saw strange because I was sick last week with a very sore throat and not any other symptoms. I handled him the very least during the few days I was sick.
So he very much looks like he has a sore throat now, he keeps acting like he's trying to spit something out and also swallowing.
I'm not sure what I can do for him, I've been trying to keep him warm but he keeps leaving the basking spot.
Also I keep seeing online that bearded dragons can't get a cold from humans, but my experience with previous ones suggests to me that they can easily get them.
He also does seem to be a more delicate one....
Sorry if this is a weird post, I've not been on here for a long time.
Any mucous or nasal discharge? Any wheezing? If so post a recording of him doing this on you tube post link please- how old is your UVB? Is your lighting all up to par? Tracie would be the one to answer the contagious part of the cold thing
@Drache613
 

reptilemaster

Gray-bearded Member
Original Poster
Any mucous or nasal discharge? Any wheezing? If so post a recording of him doing this on you tube post link please- how old is your UVB? Is your lighting all up to par? Tracie would be the one to answer the contagious part of the cold thing
@Drache613
No mucous or discharge. No wheezing. Hmm, the uv light is a few months old, four or five.
So when I was sick, it just started abruptly one day with a very sore throat, and when the sore throat was fading thats when I have congestion! He also seems agitated as he keeps crawling around instead of being lazy like he usually is. But yeah if he starts wheezing I'll get a video and post it and link here.
Last thing, he has had medium black beard on and off. By that I mean its not as black as he can make it, just darkened and goes away sometimes.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
No mucous or discharge. No wheezing. Hmm, the uv light is a few months old, four or five.
So when I was sick, it just started abruptly one day with a very sore throat, and when the sore throat was fading thats when I have congestion! He also seems agitated as he keeps crawling around instead of being lazy like he usually is. But yeah if he starts wheezing I'll get a video and post it and link here.
Last thing, he has had medium black beard on and off. By that I mean its not as black as he can make it, just darkened and goes away sometimes.
Get a pic of the beard - UVB is a T 5? If so its good for another few months I recommend they be changed out every 10-11 unless you have a solar meter to test the UVI -- where is the UVB? top of screen inside the tank?
 

reptilemaster

Gray-bearded Member
Original Poster
Get a pic of the beard - UVB is a T 5? If so its good for another few months I recommend they be changed out every 10-11 unless you have a solar meter to test the UVI -- where is the UVB? top of screen inside the tank?
Well he decided to go to bed, so I'm just going to leave him. Thats the best photo I can get. I'll see about it tomarrow.
Anyway the uv is a t8, I can't ever seem to find a fixture for a t5 that can be mounted inside my tank. The one I have now is help up with a bord of wood and some metal wires to allow the fixture to hang up inside the tank.
 

Attachments

  • 20241026_182034.jpg
    20241026_182034.jpg
    137 KB · Views: 22

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
Well he decided to go to bed, so I'm just going to leave him. Thats the best photo I can get. I'll see about it tomarrow.
Anyway the uv is a t8, I can't ever seem to find a fixture for a t5 that can be mounted inside my tank. The one I have now is help up with a bord of wood and some metal wires to allow the fixture to hang up inside the tank.
The T 8 bulb needs to be replaced and the distance 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor - all T 5 's do not have a certain hole etc to hang inside the tank - I would replace the T8 w/ a T 5 and hang w/ picture wire hangers inside - they are the best to work w/ you can also use long plastic zip ties -- fishing line- or 3 M velcro fasteners -- if you want links for the T '5 let me know I can post them
@Drache613
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
I looks to me like he has a strange ri.
I saw strange because I was sick last week with a very sore throat and not any other symptoms. I handled him the very least during the few days I was sick.
So he very much looks like he has a sore throat now, he keeps acting like he's trying to spit something out and also swallowing.
I'm not sure what I can do for him, I've been trying to keep him warm but he keeps leaving the basking spot.
Also I keep seeing online that bearded dragons can't get a cold from humans, but my experience with previous ones suggests to me that they can easily get them.
He also does seem to be a more delicate one....
Sorry if this is a weird post, I've not been on here for a long time.
I'm sorry to hear he's sick, just wanted to let you know they don't catch our illnesses. Hope he gets better ASAP ! If you can, post a video here of his behavior that worries you.
 

reptilemaster

Gray-bearded Member
Original Poster
The T 8 bulb needs to be replaced and the distance 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor - all T 5 's do not have a certain hole etc to hang inside the tank - I would replace the T8 w/ a T 5 and hang w/ picture wire hangers inside - they are the best to work w/ you can also use long plastic zip ties -- fishing line- or 3 M velcro fasteners -- if you want links for the T '5 let me know I can post them
@Drache613
Ok, sure I'll check those out. One of the problems before was none of the t5 would fit my fixture...
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I agree with AHBD, it isn't possible for them to catch our colds, flu, etc. Those types of strains of virus or bacteria doesn't jump species. So, it is coincidence that your dragon is having respiratory issues.
So you are using a T8 tube UVB light, which brand is it?
If you can, try to keep the overnight temperatures for him around 75 to 80F to help boost his immune system.

Tracie
 

reptilemaster

Gray-bearded Member
Original Poster
Ok, so he does seem better today.
There is how his beard ahs been, not black but darkened. He's still acting odd, but the weird breathing gaping isn't as pronounced as it was. I have a short video, not sure if I can just post it here or if I should upload it to youtube and link here.
So what are the recommendations for a new light ficture and uv t5? Right now I have an 18 inch one held up with my homemade contraption. I think you can see it in the photo.
 

Attachments

  • 20241027_121435.jpg
    20241027_121435.jpg
    229.3 KB · Views: 18
  • 20241027_121512.jpg
    20241027_121512.jpg
    128.1 KB · Views: 20
  • 20241027_125519.jpg
    20241027_125519.jpg
    123.6 KB · Views: 20

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 5
Ok, so he does seem better today.
There is how his beard ahs been, not black but darkened. He's still acting odd, but the weird breathing gaping isn't as pronounced as it was. I have a short video, not sure if I can just post it here or if I should upload it to youtube and link here.
So what are the recommendations for a new light ficture and uv t5? Right now I have an 18 inch one held up with my homemade contraption. I think you can see it in the photo.
The beard looks like coloring possible shed- I am posting 3 UVB's the one that may work the best for you is the Sunblaster - how tall is your tank?
you will want the 24" or 2 ft fixture and you will need to get this bulb for it
22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO -- this one is cheaper here than Joshs frogs
or you can get this one you want the 12% bulb 24 watt
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Terrarium Hood (24 inch) this one comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you want the bulb posted above -- I went to two different websites and they were sold out of this one- Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Fluorescent T5 HO Bulb (22", 24 Watt)
Let me know when you get the UVB the screen on the tank will determine the distance and placement
 

Members online

Latest resources

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Lizardlover9000 wrote on xp29's profile.
Hey, I just saw one of your posts from a few months ago, I’m sorry for your loss of Sweet Pea and Zen, I know that’s really rough, and I’ll keep you in my prayers!
Lizardlover9000 wrote on Lyrebird.Rainwing's profile.
Heyy….if you like WoF… is there a chance you like the book series Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter?
Lizardlover9000 wrote on Plutonium's profile.
‘Ello mate!
Larry didn’t want to move from my hand this particularly chilly morning 🤣
Lizardlover9000 wrote on IAmAMirage's profile.
Happy late bday!

Forum statistics

Threads
157,125
Messages
1,269,218
Members
76,666
Latest member
sbobetooo1
Top Bottom