Strange breathing

[VeronicaM]

Here is a video of how my 7 month old beardie is breathing while he’s basking. We just got him a week ago from a situation that was not ideal for him. He was malnourished and dehydrated and filthy. But we’ve been feeding him well, hydrating, and bathed him a couple times. He seems great normally. Strong appetite, eats all his food, poops normal looking poop 3 times a day. He has energy and is very friendly. Only when he goes on his branch to bask, he starts breathing like this. Also today he fully puffed out with his black beard for like no reason. I haven’t seen him shed at all, so could that be that maybe he’s about to shed his skin? By the way his tank temp is 82 degrees in the non basking area. Any advice or person experiences is much appreciated!

 

[KarrieRee]

Here is a video of how my 7 month old beardie is breathing while he’s basking. We just got him a week ago from a situation that was not ideal for him. He was malnourished and dehydrated and filthy. But we’ve been feeding him well, hydrating, and bathed him a couple times. He seems great normally. Strong appetite, eats all his food, poops normal looking poop 3 times a day. He has energy and is very friendly. Only when he goes on his branch to bask, he starts breathing like this. Also today he fully puffed out with his black beard for like no reason. I haven’t seen him shed at all, so could that be that maybe he’s about to shed his skin? By the way his tank temp is 82 degrees in the non basking area. Any advice or person experiences is much appreciated

Basking temps and UVB are crucial --- what are they and how are you taking them they should be 95-100 on that surface hes sitting and UVB should be a long tube fixture NO coils please

 

[VeronicaM]

Basking temps and UVB are crucial --- what are they and how are you taking them they should be 95-100 on that surface hes sitting and UVB should be a long tube fixture NO coils please

I bought the enclosure with thermometers on both sides but the basking area is in the middle. So I guess I will have to get a third thermometer for the middle area to be sure. And yes, it’s a long UVB light. I put a post on Facebook and everyone there thinks my boy is actually a girl and is gravid!!! She has a lumpy belly and started to dig a bit today and her appetite is insatiable.

 

[KarrieRee]

I bought the enclosure with thermometers on both sides but the basking area is in the middle. So I guess I will have to get a third thermometer for the middle area to be sure. And yes, it’s a long UVB light. I put a post on Facebook and everyone there thinks my boy is actually a girl and is gravid!!! She has a lumpy belly and started to dig a bit today and her appetite is insatiable.

What kind of UVB brand and bulb please -- if you can post pics of the dragon we can get him/ her sexed --- have you felt for eggs? Digging would be a good sign of gravid if she is indeed a female

 

[VeronicaM]

The uv bulb is zoo-med-reptisun 5.0 t-5. And here are some pictures. I also included one of the lumpy belly. No I haven’t felt for the eggs yet, I don’t like to take her off her basking branch when she’s up there. But I definitely will feel in the morning.

 

[KarrieRee]

The uv bulb is zoo-med-reptisun 5.0 t-5. And here are some pictures. I also included one of the lumpy belly. No I haven’t felt for the eggs yet, I don’t like to take her off her basking branch when she’s up there. But I definitely will feel in the morning.

Please upgrade your bulb to a 10.0 -- where in the tank is the uvb?

 

[VeronicaM]

Please upgrade your bulb to a 10.0 -- where in the tank is the uvb?

Please upgrade your bulb to a 10.0 -- where in the tank is the uvb?

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok the fixture has a reflector--? The 5.0 is more for a aquarium you want a 10.0 it's for reptiles- when you change it out distance should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor-- the breathing issue may or may not be related but your dragon will benefit in the long run

 

[VeronicaM]

Ok the fixture has a reflector--? The 5.0 is more for a aquarium you want a 10.0 it's for reptiles- when you change it out distance should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor-- the breathing issue may or may not be related but your dragon will benefit in the long run

So is the light too close right now? And yes, if you mean that little metal cover type thing, there is a reflector. Did you see the pictures of Spike? Does she seem like a girl?

 

[KarrieRee]

So is the light too close right now? And yes, if you mean that little metal cover type thing, there is a reflector. Did you see the pictures of Spike? Does she seem like a girl?

Distance for the 5.0 is 6-8 inches- I am sorry I should of explained put her on a table butt facing camera w/ her tail pulled up so we can see her vent-

 

[VeronicaM]

Distance for the 5.0 is 6-8 inches- I am sorry I should of explained put her on a table butt facing camera w/ her tail pulled up so we can see her vent-

Haha! Duh, I thought maybe you could tell by her body shape or pattern. Shows how much I know. I will do that when she wakes up in the morning. Thank you!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

She does have a nice round belly. Sometimes in the later stages of egg development, they may take on more of a
pear shape to their belly. How long has her belly been more rounded?
If she does have eggs, that can also press up against their stomach & other organs which could affect her breathing.

Tracie