Todd isn't himself

[Misswrx11]

Hello everyone,

I am seeking some help or guidance with my 5 year old bearded dragon Todd. Todd was seen last weekend and the emergency vet for an upper respiratory infection. He was given pain medication and a shot of antibiotics. We were scheduled with his exotic pet vet last Tuesday however my entire family got norovirus (thanks kids) so we had to reschedule Todd for this coming Thursday. Since coming home from the emergency pet vet Todd has been very lethargic and just not himself. He hasn't had much of an appetite, but did eat 13 superworms on the 9th and pooped. He has only pooped twice since being seen on the 4th. He seems very tired, and his eyes seem heavy. I have also seen him doing this strange movement with his beard that I'll attach in a video below. Here's the thing,everyone in my household thinks I'm paranoid about him. Last week they thought the same thing and it turned out he did have an upper RI so I just wanted to ask some folks who are educated in beardies. I spend so much time observing him And I know that the vet that saw him at the emergency room said we could bring him in for another antibiotic shot if we couldn't get into the exotic pet soon enough. So does this behavior seem normal to you? Any advice is soooooo appreciated.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello everyone,

I am seeking some help or guidance with my 5 year old bearded dragon Todd. Todd was seen last weekend and the emergency vet for an upper respiratory infection. He was given pain medication and a shot of antibiotics. We were scheduled with his exotic pet vet last Tuesday however my entire family got norovirus (thanks kids) so we had to reschedule Todd for this coming Thursday. Since coming home from the emergency pet vet Todd has been very lethargic and just not himself. He hasn't had much of an appetite, but did eat 13 superworms on the 9th and pooped. He has only pooped twice since being seen on the 4th. He seems very tired, and his eyes seem heavy. I have also seen him doing this strange movement with his beard that I'll attach in a video below. Here's the thing,everyone in my household thinks I'm paranoid about him. Last week they thought the same thing and it turned out he did have an upper RI so I just wanted to ask some folks who are educated in beardies. I spend so much time observing him And I know that the vet that saw him at the emergency room said we could bring him in for another antibiotic shot if we couldn't get into the exotic pet soon enough. So does this behavior seem normal to you? Any advice is soooooo appreciated.

He looks ill- can he get directly under his uvb? Distance should be 12-15 inches- is he on meds now? How old is the uvb? What are his surface basking temps and how are getting them?

 

[Misswrx11]

His UVB spans across the middle of his zen habitat and he is able to get right under it. I just bought him a new uvb yesterday, so it's about a day old. His surface basking temps are 108F, and 111F and I am using a infrared temp gun.

 

[Misswrx11]

His UVB spans across the middle of his zen habitat and he is able to get right under it. I just bought him a new uvb yesterday, so it's about a day old. His surface basking temps are 108F, and 111F and I am using a infrared temp gun.

Thanks so much for replying

 

[KarrieRee]

His UVB spans across the middle of his zen habitat and he is able to get right under it. I just bought him a new uvb yesterday, so it's about a day old. His surface basking temps are 108F, and 111F and I am using a infrared temp gun.

Ok please get a digital probe thermometer for surface basking temps they are the most accurate - how far is the uvb away from the basking decor - does he basks for long periods of time is he sitting off to the side- most adult dragons like temps 95-100- 111 is pretty hot -- how long has he been on the meds and what is he on? Flagging to Tracie our vet tech mod
@Drache613

 

[AHBD]

A few things, you wrote :
" He was given pain medication and a shot of antibiotics. Since coming home from the emergency pet vet Todd has been very lethargic and just not himself. He hasn't had much of an appetite, but did eat 13 superworms on the 9th and pooped. He has only pooped twice since being seen on the 4th. He seems very tired, and his eyes seem heavy."

Poor fella, well right off of course he is ill but since he ate, that's a good sign. On a side note that's too many superworms. Anyway, with him having an R.I there was zero reason for vet to give him pain meds. If they gave you extra to give him do not do it ! It was probably metacam/meloxicam, but whatever it was will make them dopey, can cause nausea and have unpleasant side effects including tremors + seizures.

How is his breathing ? Couldn't see any video

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Yes, I agree. The pain meds & antibiotic combination is likely taking a toll on him. Do you know which
antibiotic was given? Those if given in too large of a dose can really affect them.
For now, try to keep him hydrated & if you can get some probiotics for him that may help him feel a bit
better in case his tummy is upset.
I would try to get the temperatures down just a little bit, so he can thermoregulate better. Since he is an
adult, he only needs a basking in a range of 95-105F max with the cooler end being around 78-82F.

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie