Think my beardie is sick :( open mouth- gasping?

[Blinksmama]

Oh no!! I'm so very sorry

 

[Spikey92]

Oh no I am so sorry !

 

[Esther19]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Bekerella]

I'm so so sorry.

 

[jill7karen7]

Thank you all for being so kind.... and giving me your best advise....it was to tough to get back online last night.

Thank god I had a friend over who was not only there for me mentally but able to help me bury him....as once I was out of denial that he really passed.....I couldn't stand looking at him and knowing it was too late to help him.

And the worst is that I didn't see this coming...and bottom line its my fault....I just wish I could go back.

The video I posted was no more than 24 hours before he passed.... only one day without eating & he was still pooping.

Please let this be a learning lesson please take your beadie to the vet as soon as there is a difference in behavior....wish I did!!!

Going to post pics of the setup, lights & calcium.....
If the regulars here can add any insight for others to learn from- I am hoping to help others...

Thx

 

[jill7karen7]

The set-up: (Changed a few times during the year....For the most part I used retiple carpet)

The setup close view of hot side:
(the screen thing is new)

The setup close view of cold side:

The UVB light- New about 2 weeks:

The basking light- ALso newer (less than 6 mo)

The calcium & Vitamins: Also newly purcahsed, been using for about 1-2 months- previously only used a calcium- diff brand that dont remember- it came with "The bearded dragon set-up"

For about 10 months in the beginning I used the below UVB- Until learning it was not good. This sat on the cool side. At that time I also had the double lamp on the hot side with a smaller UVB bulb and a heat/ basking light- For a short period I had another lamp with a night heat light -First white, then red, then blue-(was going to remove Blue...but was too late )

 

[Blinksmama]

You were working on correcting the lighting, which needs a bit of tweaking. The powersun MVB is UVB and basking light/heat in one, and should be placed directly over the basking spot (no screen), at the minimum distance recommended by the manufacturer, and can be raised to acheive the correct temperature, if the temperature doesn't get high enough you can use an additional light to for extra heat, or a CHE (ceramic heat emitter). It's easier to mantain the correct basking temperature if the basking spot is solid and absorbs the heat, I'm unsure about the use of a hammock for basking, since I've not used one. Basking and UVB exposure go hand in hand.
The hides ensure that the dragon can get out of the heat and/or UVB when he needs to. Beardies regulate their UVB exposure in nature according to their bodies need to create pro-vitamin D3, and they'll do the same in captivity if the habitat allows it. The other basking bulb (or a regular clear light bulb) can be placed wherever extra heat is needed, to maintain an ideal temperature gradient and to provide additional light. If the additional light makes the enclosure too warm, then a regular linear fluorescent light can be used to provide additional light with very little heat, beardies require a bright environment to thrive. The thermometers are fine (I use as probe on the basking spot and one of those dials on my cool end to measure the air temp, I place the digital probe beside it weekly to make sure it's accurate).
You need a hygrometer, to measure humidity, especially if you live in a humid environment. Particle subtrates pose various health risks, depending on the material, and many (all?) will hold moisture; warm, moist substrate is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. I would avoid them completely if humidity was an issue. If you had found the humidity too high, then you can use a dehumidifier in the room where the enclosure is kept. Maybe they make ones specifically for terrariums?
The vitamins and calcium should be used on a schedule based on age, for juveniles it's calcium w/D3 dusted 1 feeding per day, 5 days/wk. Vitamins are dusted 1 feeding per day, 2 days/wk. I dust calcium Mon-Fri and add the vitamin Thurs and Fri, leaving the weekends out, which is better for my forgetful self I believe that when using an MVB the calcium should be without D3.
I'm sure others will add to this, if I've made any mistakes or left things out

Don't kick yourself for his passing. We all do the best we can with with what we know and have! You loved him and did your best.
You're learning all you can to prevent possible problems in the future, should you own another beardie, and to teach others. That's a wonderful thing for you to do!!
Take care of yourself, and again I'm so sorry, losing a loved one is never easy

Amy

 

[jill7karen7]

Here are some older pics of the beardie and a little of the previous set-ups..... starting from the beginning to more recent:

In the Sand- only lasted 3 days- then I found out sand is not good.

 

[ilovestripedragon]

Here is a video of this cough thing he does- sometimes much louder....the pet store seemed to think he is acting agressively towards cat- but he just isnt himself and Im pretty sure getting worse.


Hopefully this works:

http://s19.beta.photobucket.com/user/jill7karen7/media/20130311_210337.mp4.html

That poor thing! How is he now?

 

[daner923]

Hi Sam,

Unfortunately, her beardie passed away.