Took Spike to the Vet...

[Akuda]

So, as you know, I am a new beardie owner. And just about an hour ago I heard him make the oddest noise, He opened him mouth and made this squeak/squelsh like noise. I've heard it before, just didn't know it was him doing it. He does it a few times a day, but sometimes not at all.

I did take him to the vet, but I don't think he was a very good one. He said that Spike "moved" too much so he couldn't be sure if Spike is sick or not. And that best bet is to take him home and wait and see.

Spike has only eaten one medium hornworm today, and doesn't want to eat. But he seems like he has energy. But he did just finish a shed so maybe he still isn't hungry?

I read how quickly a URI can take a turn for the worst, and spike is maybe 7-8 months old, 13 inches.
Over all I am worried.


Any advice would be great!

 

[Akuda]

Update- I had a mobile vet come to the house to check out our setup. And I guess Spike is a difficult dragon to listen to his lungs. The vet does not want to give him medication until we are sure he is sick. The vet was telling me, that although the medication will help if he is sick, if not done right, it could cause more problems.

So we have gone out today and even though we had UVB lights, we decided to upgrade. Solarglow. It's a bulb that I found has both UVA/UVB but also it's an amazing heat source. The temp on the left side (warm side) 102.4 (at this moment) and he cold side is 82.9.

Are my temps alright? I don't let the tank drop down below 80. :s

Since getting the new bulb in about 30 mins ago, Spike is already moving a lot more, and seems to be flat. Like he flattened out his body, is that ok? He seems happy.

I keep hearing odd sounds coming from the tank. the odd squealching noise. BUt there is no mucus, nor does the mucus in the mouth isn't thick at all.

He ate 8 crickets today, a bit of Kale. That's about it....

Any suggestions would be amazing... I suffer from Psychosis, and Spike has become my way of dealing with it. I don't want him to be sick..

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....is there any way you could post some pics of Spike and his tank using this info ?
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/
And a video with sound would be helpful if you can catch him making the noise. The temps. sound good, and eating 8 crickets is pretty good for him being brand new [ they sometimes go through relocation stress and won't eat for a few days or so ] His laying flat is probably trying to absorb heat. Try not to worry too much, people here are friendly + helpful.

 

[Akuda]

Hey there!

How do I upload a photo? I have a whole bunch of photos, and we are going to try and video Spike doong the odd sound.:$ do I have enough UVB now? Its 160 watt solar glo all in one. I hope its enough

 

[AHBD]

I included a link in my first post that tells you how to post pics.

 

[Akuda]

I have been waiting all day for him to make the noise again. But It seems to happen either right after feeding, or right before he wants to go to bed.

Today he has eaten about 12 medium crickets (so happy for ), he had some kale, and he bathed himself in his dish for about 10 mins.

With the new multi bulb it seems like he is more active. I'm not sure what to do at this point...

 

[Akuda]

You know what might help, dimensions on the tank LOL 48L-18W-24H inches.. 160 watt solar glo, 100 watt IR baskers, 60 watt day time blue, zoo med, 150 watt basker white.

The solar glo has all the UVA UVB, since I don't think he was getting enough before.

 

[AHBD]

He looks good + healthy ! That's a decent amount of crickets he ate, too. The strange noise may just be something that will pass....keep him warm, at night try to keep it 75-82 if possible. If you need heat at night get him a CHE [ ceramic heat emitter ] that produces heat but no light.

Are you using all those bulbs at one time ? The 160 watt should provide enough heat. I can't remember, how do you take the temps. ?

 

[Akuda]

Since I live in Canada, I have a colder climate, so it takes a bit more for us to keep him temps at a good temp. We are using the Zoo med digital probe yellow thermometer. I have 2 of them, one on the warm side, right on hit basking area, and the cool zone in by the 2nd rock structure by the back of the cool side.

We had him eating Hornworms for a bit, and the moment I figured out how to breed them and keep them alive, he lost interest in them!!!! Now I have hornworms, and don't know what to do with them lol

I also have been using a liquid vitamin supplement, that has calcium in it. I put some in his water dish ( so when he has a bath or drink, he is getting a little through the water), and I also mix a bit in to his food dish.

He did just finish shed a few days ago.

He loves cuddle time, I keep him wrapped in a blanket on my chest, and he will sleep there for a long while. and fights me when I go to put him back too soon. And if I am taking too long to go get him for cuddles, he will thump his tail on the ground :s

 

[Akuda]

So an update an Spike, We got the cool Solarglo for him yesterday, and could already see a difference, but when hubby was putting in the light this morning, the lamp we had shorted out, and blew the bulb... UGH! And we couldn't get out to get another one till tomorrow. But today Spike has eaten 8 crickets, and is also showing his anger with me right now. I took him out for some cuddles, and he was just way to energetic. So I put him back in the tank, feed him, put new water in. But after his feeding he wanted to be cuddled. but I have read that handling them too soon after eating could be bad, so I don't. He is right now at the side of his tank, looking at me and black bearding and puffing out. Sigh, what a touchy little man.
My doctor was even saying that I could get him labelled as my therapy pet.