Possible URI

[1537PaperStreet]

So I put my beardie in a new tank this week. Laid down some tan slate tile. Had to lower the bulb into the tank to get the temps up. Just got a stronger one, so that issue is solved. He's been on Reptaid for some minor parasite issues for 8 days, with two more to come before a break and another cycle. I gave him his Reptaid today and noticed some light raspy breathing. Could this be because of the Reptaid being in his throat for a minute while he finished swallowing it?? Since being put in the new tank, his eating has slowed down, but I figured it's just reloction stress. He ate sporadically this week. A few crickets one day, thirty the next, none another day. He ate some of his greens one day and most of them yesterday. The other days, I ended up giving them to the crickets. Again, I chalked that up to relocation stress. I have carnivore care in the fridge in case I need to give him a bit of food manually, but the eating has just been sporadic as of now. If he doesn't eat today, the second in a row, I will use that. But with the raspy breathing during Reptaid today, I became a bit concerned. Yesterday, while he was on my girlfriend's shoulder, he was gaping on and off. He had recently come out of the light, but it had been a few minutes. There was on weird breathing sounds during this, but it still seemed a bit odd considering he was cooled down. I noticed yesterday that the temperature hd been struggling to go up to what he is used to, but I did get a stronger bulb in there. My first beardie had a bad URI and died after a week due to poor conditions at the expo I bought him at, and this one has never had any serious issues. This seems to have been caught early if it is even anything at all. Not sure I can get him to the herp vet until Monday. I'm gonna call and see if he's in today. Last time I thought there was something wrong, it turned out I spent my money on nothing.

I know they can sometimes fight off URIs on their own if caught early, but I'm taking him in anyway. Based on this long winded message, does anyone have any thoughts or advice in the meantime??

 

[Kaiser]

If it indeed is a URI, you'll have to do something to keep the temperatures up a little higher (as long as they are still in a safe range), particularly at night. If you can keep the temperatures at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or so at night, that should help a bit. Other than that, hopefully someone else can provide more insight and advice.

I hope he's alright and gets over it soon.

 

[quigleysmom]

Hey, I am sorry your beardie is not feeling well. Mine came home from a reptile show with a URI and coccida. I gave him Reptaid for 14 days and it cleared him right up. The herp vet I go to says that the virus or bacteria that makes beardies sick doesn't like heat. Between the reptaid and the raised temps he should be fine. Just make sure he doesn't get cold for any reason. I would even recomend a ceramic heat emitter if your night time temps in his tank are lower than like 85. I hope he does ok.

 

[1537PaperStreet]

I have a 40W ceramic heater that I put above the area he fell asleep at last night. That kept the temps in the mid 70s, as opposed to the 68-70 that he usually sleeps in. His regular lights went on at 8, but he stayed in the spot he slept at until I moved him myself at around 11:30. He's done that before, so it's not a huge concern right now. I gave him a little bit of carnivore care yesterday afternoon. Today he ate two butterworms and six waxworms before not being interested anymore. I had gotten them as a treat, but figured to try them since he was ignoring his crickets. He skipped greens again today. Gave him his warm soak, some syringe water, and day nine of Reptaid before taking a break. He's in his 100 degree spot now. He did gape before for a few seconds, but that was very shortly after he had moved away from the hot side, and it didn't last long. He's alert and moving around when he wants to. Didn't care much for wandering around the room today, but he did walk around on the bed and crawl up to my shoulder. He seems interested in what's going on around him whenever we are in the room, so that's reassuring. Whatever is wrong is not too far advanced like the disaster that was my first beardie. I'm gonna make an appointment for my g/f to take him in tomorrow afternoon so the vet can listen to his lungs and see if there is anything wrong. I'd rather blow 70 bucks diagnosing relocation stress than waking up to him dead one day. Thanks for the advice.