Sick/possible nausea

[emilybortz]

Hi all,

Bean isn't feeling too well tonight She's been gagging/twitching her head and arching her neck forward every 15-20 minutes as though she's going to vomit. She's asleep right now, but has her head up as though she's basking(eyes closed though). I tried to bundle her in a blankie to make her feel better but the gagging started again so I think the head-raised sleeping position is what's comfortable for her at the moment. She doesn't have a black beard, but it's pretty clear that something is bothering her.

The symptoms started after I fed her superworms this afternoon. I put a few in her viv after dusting them, but I'm thinking that a bad or dead one may have found it's way in and I didn't notice. After I noticed her symptoms I put her in a bath and she drank, but it doesn't seem to be helping. The gagging makes me think it's digestive-related, but I could be wrong. I was thinking that it also may be a respiratory infection, but she's not displaying any of the wheezy/rattling sounds or have any mucus/saliva around her eyes nose or mouth. She hasn't been out of her cage today, so there isn't anything I can think of that she could have ingested by accident.

All temps/lighting/substrate are a-ok. Any ideas as to what this could be?

Thank you! I will update in the morning.

Emily

 

[sweetiepie9]

Emily, can you get her to a vet asap? I'm very concerned with the gagging issue as it could be the beginning of an RI, it's hard to diagnose from the info you've given me, but I wouldn't want to take a chance. Once thing you can do, which I did when my dragons got a virus, is to pick her up and tap her belly, to see if there is anything to come up, as dragons have alot of trouble throwing up if there's something in their stomach that's bothering them. I did this to Lonzo when he was sick and I saved his life. I also got him to the vet to make sure he was ok. So I would wake her up and do this just to be on the safe side, but still get her to a vet asap. Do you have a reptile vet that is good with beardies? Is her breathing ok right now? Try to get her to sleep with her head lower than her belly, if you can, too, that might help.

 

[emilybortz]

Thanks so much for your quick response.

I did a belly tap and she just sort of woke up and looked confused, but didn't look like she was about to throw up. Should I keep trying or just let her sleep? She's been up for almost 18 hours (got sick about 2 hours before bedtime)
What should I be looking for with an RI? I have a great reptile doc but may not be able to make it in until Thursday. I hope that isn't too late. If things get worse(knock on wood again) I will certainly skip class and take her in.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Well, if you did the tap and nothing came out, then it looks like she's ok until you see the vet and glad that you have a good one. RI does have clicking sounds, so I've been told, none of my dragons have had one, but gagging is one of the symptoms, plus mucous build up and the rasping in the chest. But hard to diagnose, so best she see a vet. Just keep checking her to make sure she's not doing that gagging tomorrow. Coughing is also another symptom of RI. Please let me know how she's doing. It's always a worry when your dragon is not acting as normal.

 

[emilybortz]

Thank you so much for your help! It really is such a worry. I've got her viv right next to my bed so I can keep an eye on things haha. I also have a CHE on above where she's sleeping. I figured the warmer temps may help her to digest(if it is digestive at all). A few minutes after I did the belly tap she sortof twisted her neck around like she wanted to throw up but still hasn't yet. Urgh. :?

 

[kcarello]

You should also up her tems to about 80 - 85 overnights. remember to make sure she is hydrated with the increased temps. I wish you the best of luck, am going through similar stuff myself right now with my girl.

 

[emilybortz]

Good news! It seems as though Bean is feeling much better. I turned off her timer to let her sleep in(I stayed up with her until 2 am when she finally settled down) but she woke up at her usual time anyway. She has eaten a bit of salad and I've given her some probiotic. Still waiting on a poo...

Kcarello, how is your girl doing?

 

[kcarello]

I am so happy to hear Bean is doing better!! I hope she continues to do well!! Puff is going to a new vet on Friday. The vet is gone to a convention till then. She threw up yesterday, that makes twice in the last few days. I am very anxious to get her to the vet and get blood work done so we can hopefully find out what is going on with her. Thought she had an RI and she had been on Baytril orally then in a nebulizer for almost the whole month of January. Very frustrating when you dont know what is wrong!

 

[sweetiepie9]

Glad to hear Beans is feeling better! That's good news and kcarello, I hope you get to the bottom of what's wrong with your little one when you see the vet. Throwing up isn't fun for beardies, poor little thing. Hang in there!

 

[kcarello]

Thanks Deb! I am hoping and praying that this is a good vet and will figure out what is going on. Hoping to start with blood work.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Keep me posted, hope Beans is ok.

 

[emilybortz]

Beanie hasn't been doing any gagging since that night, so hopefully were okay. I've got her sleeping under her CHE where its about 85 degrees to help her fight off anything respiratory related until I can get her to a vet for a check-up.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Well that is good news, poor baby, glad she's not gagging anymore and glad you're getting her to the vet for a checkup. Let me know how the vet visit goes & any pics?