bdalton
Sub-Adult Member
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
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