To swim or not to swim?

[bdalton]

Hey guys,

So, as most of you know I'm a mommy to my two loves, Lola 8 months and Boss 3 almost 4 months. As crazy as it is, Boss has already caught up to Lola in length at 14" and just behind her in weight at 170g and Lo 215g. Lola has never been a fan of water, so I've never had this dilemma before. Boss LOVES, I mean LOVES to swim, he tucks his little arms back, head down and under and away he goes. Problem is, I'm worried about him A) aspirating or B) getting water in his ears/nose. Sometimes after he comes up out of the water, he breaths really heavy, sometimes so hard it makes the side of his lips/mouth open as he breaths or his beard will inflate a little as he breaths, and once or twice he has used his back leg to scratch his head like a dog. I've looked up signs of aspiration and it seems to be gagging or choking, or something along those lines. He's never choked, but I don't like the way he breaths after. He has always been a heavy breather, but I guess I'm trying to tell the difference of him being out of breath from swimming or aspirating. He's never been wobbly or "drunk" looking after doing it, but I don't know how he wouldn't get water in his ears being completely under. I'm just confused because I've seen a lot of people letting their dragons swim, but I want to make sure it's safe for him to do. I try to hold him and not let him go under, but he will FIGHT me and wiggle and as soon as he's free he goes right back under and swims some more. I swear he's part fish.
So, I guess what I want to know is if this is normal, should I not let him swim, does it sound like he's aspirating or what I should do. I'll even only put less than an inch of water so it just covers his vent and he will still find a way to go under and swim. I feel bad not letting him, but I don't want to let him if there's a chance he's aspirating. I've never heard what sounded like fluid in his lungs or anything like that.
I dont know. I guess I'm looking for suggestions or experiences!

Thanks guys!


One other thing, as I mentioned, he's always been a heavy breather, but it's hard for me to distinguish since I only have the 2 dragons and I know their all different, so I don't know if his heavy breathing is something of concern. His whole rib cage and stomach moves when he breaths. He is a happy and otherwise healthy dragon. He's never been to the vet, but has had fecal tests. I'm thinking about taking him just for a check up, but since he Is JUST starting to get over relocation stress and is pretty skittish to begin with, I don't want to stress him more if it's not a big concern. He eats great, almost too much lol, and for such a young age, LOVES his greens. He eats them everyday and just loves them. LO is 8 months and just started nibbling on her greens and I swear it's only because she saw Boss eat his! Lol


Any input is greatly appreciated

 

[diamc]

Hi Brooke, it sounds like he absolutely loves his baths, that's great. I had a beardie that would swim like an alligator, such fun to watch. Sabrina used to actually dive into the water, go as far in the bottom as she could, come back up to the top, climb out and then start in all over again. The heavy breathing sounds like he is getting tired from the exercise rather than anything else. When they swim like that, they usually close their mouths as they are concentrating so hard on the actual swimming. In order to aspirate, he would have to be taking a huge drink and then suck the water back in, you would know by his reaction as he would actually be gasping for air, sometimes they actually stop breathing totally, his tongue may be sticking out a little, his beard would turn dark. Also, he wouldn't have his head flat to drink, but would have his head down in the water instead. About the ears, they actually have an extra membrane over them to protect them. I would say that if he enjoys it this much, let him do it and you can even add a little more water.

Some beardies do breathe harder than others so as long as he is acting ok otherwise, I wouldn't worry. Always a good idea to get him checked out though if you have any concerns.

Hope that helps.

 

[bdalton]

Thank you so much!!! That makes me feel so much better! Phewww.

Right now I use a cat litter pan as his bath and I wanted to put him in my actual bath tub so he had more room, but I was so scared! Lol. I am so glad I can let him swim, and he will be too!

Thank you again!

 

[diamc]

Good, glad I made you feel better. Let us know how he likes the bathtub.

 

[bdalton]

Thank you! I wanted to put him in tonight, but had an anniversary dinner for work and didnt get home until late so i just fed him and wanted to make sure he had 2 hrs to bask after eating, so he will be swimming away tomorrow! Hes going to be so happy! Its so funny the way they tuck their legs back and wiggle through the water, and hes FAST, which didnt go well in the cat litter pan because he would swim right into the side and you would just hear a bang. Lol

I cant wait to see him go to town! Ill try to get a pic of my little fish in action!

 

[diamc]

Well, how did the bath (SWIM) go? :lol:

 

[bdalton]

He LOVED it. He was a little motor boat. It was so cute and he didn't even get out of breath! He was just cruising all over. I think the reason he was getting out of breath so bad before is because he kept running into the sides and turning around and doing the same thing over and over again where the bathtub he could just swim free, and boy he did!

He will be getting lots of them now because he just went into a full body shed so hopefully it will make him happy because shedding makes him cranky! Lol

Thank you for everything!

 

[Claudiusx]

Naughtica does the same exact alligator swimming method! It's great I caught it on video tonight. Just getting it ready to upload to her thread soon! :mrgreen:

-Brandon

 

[diamc]

That's great, must have been so much fun for him being able to have more room to swim. You know, part of his heavy breathing before may have actually been from frustration because when they get annoyed, some of them will actually expel air and breathe heavier. Sounds like a VERY happy beardie.

A video would be awesome.

 

[bdalton]

Thats crazy that you said that, because it was totally from him being angry. He swims around the bathtub non stop for 15 minutes and isnt one bit out of breath, but the other day threw a temper tantrum when his "play time" was over and I was putting him back in his tank and afterwards he sat on his hammock huffing and puffing for 10 minutes! It cracked me right up! He should of been a girl because he acts like a diva! Spoiled brats and their temper tantrums! LOL!

 

[diamc]

:lol: He sure likes to let you know when he's NOT happy. Did you get the famous "beardie death glare" too?!

 

[bdalton]

Of course! I get it all the time!

He definetly does NOT forget his name is Boss and reminds me everyday why i named him that.

 

[bdalton]

Brandon,

I didnt even see your comment until now! Its so funny how they are "desert" animals and still seem to know exactly how to swim. It cracks me right up when they tuck their arms back and use their heads to steer as they just cruise through the water.