Alright so my five month old bearded dragon Elliot has been puffing his beard and breathing heavily today. After extensive research and some time on the phone with a vet clinic, I don't believe he has a respiratory infection because he isn't producing mucus from his eyes or nose, isn't weezing or coughing, and is eating and basking like normal.
(He is on repti carpet, has proper humidity, his basking spot is at 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and his cool side is a normal 84 degrees Fahrenheit. I just bought new uv and basking bulbs and have checked their expiration dates; they are both perfectly fine.)
However, I did read something about nose shedding being a contributor to heavy breathing- and after taking a closer look, Elliot does have skin in both of his nostrils that I can't get out.
I have a dilemma. I could either bring him to the only vet open today and cough up 200 dollars just for them to see him, or wait until monday when my usual (much more financially accommodating) vet is open. I work at a small restaurant and my boss just let everyone go because he sold it to some other buyers so i'm really tight on money right now. Elliot isn't breathing heavily enough where I believe that he's in any pain, and again is eating and drinking like normal. On the other hand, I just want him to be okay. I could really use some opinions!
(He is on repti carpet, has proper humidity, his basking spot is at 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and his cool side is a normal 84 degrees Fahrenheit. I just bought new uv and basking bulbs and have checked their expiration dates; they are both perfectly fine.)
However, I did read something about nose shedding being a contributor to heavy breathing- and after taking a closer look, Elliot does have skin in both of his nostrils that I can't get out.
I have a dilemma. I could either bring him to the only vet open today and cough up 200 dollars just for them to see him, or wait until monday when my usual (much more financially accommodating) vet is open. I work at a small restaurant and my boss just let everyone go because he sold it to some other buyers so i'm really tight on money right now. Elliot isn't breathing heavily enough where I believe that he's in any pain, and again is eating and drinking like normal. On the other hand, I just want him to be okay. I could really use some opinions!