Strange breathing/burping

[JackIsBack77]

I've attached a YouTube video of my 4-month-old dragon's behavior here.

https://youtu.be/vAOiOzMzFtg

Here is his enclosure:

https://imgur.com/a/QpPsM

40 gallon tank. Basking spot is 105-110, cool side is about 85 degrees. At night the enclosure hovers around 70. Humidity hovers around 30%. He is shedding right now.

As a note, he seems to only do this when I'm holding him.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I've attached a YouTube video of my 4-month-old dragon's behavior here.

https://youtu.be/vAOiOzMzFtg

Here is his enclosure:

https://imgur.com/a/QpPsM

40 gallon tank. Basking spot is 105-110,
>>>> too hot , see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=233516
I strongly recommend restriction the basking temperature to NOT MORE THAN 105 degF,

cool side is about 85 degrees. At night the enclosure hovers around 70. Humidity hovers around 30%. He is shedding right now.

As a note, he seems to only do this when I'm holding him.

 

[JackIsBack77]

Would that by why he's doing the strange breathing?

 

[kingofnobbys]

Would that by why he's doing the strange breathing?

Video is not long enough to see if it's a consistence behavior or indicative of anything other than some gaping because he's too hot.

 

[Terry15]

You really need a digital probe thermometer, those dial ones are very inaccurate. Setup looks good.

 

[JackIsBack77]

You really need a digital probe thermometer, those dial ones are very inaccurate. Setup looks good.

I have probe thermometers on the side of the tank (you can't really tell in the picture). The dial is for a rough estimate of the humidity.

Is it possible that he's making the noise because he's afraid of me or stressed? He seems to only do it when I'm holding him or near.

 

[JackIsBack77]

So I went to the vet yesterday and she checked my dragon out. She doesn't think there's anything wrong with him and thinks it might be some kind of fear response. Does anyone else have any other input? What should I do at this point?

 

[AHBD]

Nice looking little guy. Are you sure he doesn't do it in the tank ? It is the type of breathing they do with a slight R.I. It may be that, a very slight infection but something that can be beat by keeping him in his tank where it's warm [ just hold him for short periods] + make sure your hands are not cold ] Avoid baths , offer water dripped on his snout for a drink every few days if he wants a drink.

He looks healthy + alert otherwise. Your set up looks good, you might add one long climbing branch , beardie love them + they are a better choice than hammocks which can snag toes + possibly cause a foot sprain.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Sometimes my girl Peppa burps and I hear tummy rumbles .... especially after a meal or if she's been picked up in such a way that her upper tummy is pressed in the process of being picked up.

I think it's just gases in the tummy from the digestion process in her case.

 

[JackIsBack77]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

I should note I didn't have the heat emitter the first few weeks but got one after I heard this noise for the first time.

It does seem he's doing this in the enclosure, but it doesn't seem to be every time he breathes. If it is a minor infection, should I just keep him as warm as possible and keep an eye on him?

 

[AHBD]

Yes, keeping him warm, esp. at night [ about 80 at night ] can help him to shake it off. If the CHE doesn't get the temp. o 80 at night, just cover part of the tank with a towel. See how he does over the next few days. If it gets more frequent you'll want to see a good vet . Antibiotics can knock it out if needed but he may very well recover on his own.

 

[JackIsBack77]

Yes, keeping him warm, esp. at night [ about 80 at night ] can help him to shake it off. If the CHE doesn't get the temp. o 80 at night, just cover part of the tank with a towel. See how he does over the next few days. If it gets more frequent you'll want to see a good vet . Antibiotics can knock it out if needed but he may very well recover on his own.

I saw a vet on Monday and she doesn't think it's an infection. She thinks it may be some kind of fear response. I'll keep an eye on him and turn his tank up at night to see if it helps any. I'm just worried it will spiral.

 

[AHBD]

That's not a fear response, babies gape + look frightened if they are havinfga fear response. The fact that he does it intermittently in the tank as well shows that it's not a fear response. The vet really doesn't know much about beardies so if this continues you'd do well to find a real reptile vet. It's not easy finding vets that are experts with beardies. Even some of the sites that recommend certain clinics turn out to be a regular vet that will agree to see a beardie but doesn't have any real knowledge about them. This forum is full of vets misdiagnosing, unable to determine the sex [ on adult dragons even] and all sorts of mistakes.


So your little guy has a slight R.I but it's not serious and can go away on it's own. If not, see if you can find a good vet.

 

[JackIsBack77]

So do you just recommend turning it up to 80 and hoping it goes away on its own? What would the turning point to getting antibiotics be?