URI questions (HELP)

[BriLeigh1]

This is my first time posting on this site even though it’s my go to if I have any questions and has always been helpful but my bearded dragon draya has a respiratory infection, she started by gaping more than she’s ever done and would puff out her beard really fast and a noise would come with it. I recognized it and took her to the vet where we got some baytryl. Today is the 5th day of her being on it and her appetite hasn’t changed, she’s a little less active then she usually is, no black beard, but yesterday she got some mucus in her mouth I can see stringing when she opens it. Idk if this is gonna get worse before it gets better but I got some more medicine today to make it 10 days. I’m just wondering if this mucus is going to happen in process of her getting better or if it means she’s getting wose I’m worried sick

 

[CooperDragon]

These can be tricky. Did the vet run any tests to confirm an infection or determine what the cause is? Antibiotics are better when targeted. The Baytril is a good general antibiotic but can be harsh on their systems, especially over long periods of dosing so be careful with that. If an oral medication isn't working after a week or two then you might consult your vet about a nebulizer treatment.

 

[BriLeigh1]

These can be tricky. Did the vet run any tests to confirm an infection or determine what the cause is? Antibiotics are better when targeted. The Baytril is a good general antibiotic but can be harsh on their systems, especially over long periods of dosing so be careful with that. If an oral medication isn't working after a week or two then you might consult your vet about a nebulizer treatment.

They basically just listened to her and said they could here it and prescribed me the medicine, they barely asked any questions but I’m thinking it what because of her humidity. I live in Alabama so it’s really humid here so after her diagnosis I went out and bought a dehumidifier and it’s helped a lot but at night is when the humidity jumps up for some reason. Before I bought the dehumidifier her humidity would go up to 60-70% at night now it stays at 50% all night with the dehumidifier and I’ve tried everything I can think of to lower the humidity more and I’m out of ideas

 

[CooperDragon]

That's not an unusual level of humidity, especially in the summer. Their natural range can get that humid as well.

 

[BriLeigh1]

My baby was diagnosed with a respiratory infection 5 days ago and today was the last dose of medicine they gave me for her. She seems to have gotten better but she’s still gaping a good amount of time throughout the day. She’s not breathing as hard as she was and her appetite hasn’t changed but I’m worried 5 days wasn’t enough. I got more than 5 days worth just in case but I don’t wanna give more to her if she doesn’t need it bc I know it’s a strong medicine for them I’m just so worried about her and need my baby to get better. I’ve raised her basking temp about 3 degrees as well. Any other advice I could get?

 

[BriLeigh1]

That's not an unusual level of humidity, especially in the summer. Their natural range can get that humid as well.

I just can’t think of any other reason as to why she got the infection. Her temps haven’t changed since I got her. I don’t know if I should go ahead and give her the rest of the antibiotics I got or wait and see. I’ve had her for 4 and a half months and haven’t had a problem I just want to be anything I can to make sure she’s healthy

 

[CooperDragon]

Can you post a video of her breathing and the mucous around her mouth? You can upload videos to a host like vimeo or youtube and post a link to them here. I wonder if it was misdiagnosed or not.

 

[BriLeigh1]

I will in the morning when she wakes up, if it’s not a respiratory infection what else could be making her like this? I’m supper worried about her and want to help her but the only vet around here that sees them doesn’t know anything about them (I used to work there and she’s told me she doesn’t know anything) I’m at a loss but I’ll do anything to make her better

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor girl, I am sure that she hasn't been feeling very well. Those
meds really do dehydrate them. Have you tried using some probiotics
for her?
I am going to merge both of your topics, so we can keep the information
all together.
Are you keeping her around 80 degrees overnight, to help boost her immune
system. What basking temperatures are you keeping her at now?

Let us know how she is doing.
Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Moved & Merged by Moderator to keep topics together.

 

[BriLeigh1]

Thank you so much for replying, im worried sick about her. During the day her temp was 103 I’ve raised it to 106/107 to try and help. I started closing my vent at night so her temp stays around 82 degrees. I don’t have any probiotics, my vet didn’t inform me to do anything else but give her the antibiotics she has. (My vet is not good with reptiles but it’s the only one around that sees them) she still has her appetite and she doesn’t seem to have to breathe as hard anymore but I can still hear the crackling and popping from her throat and she’s still gaping her mouth a lot throughout the day, since my vet is basically useless when it comes to them I don’t know what to do for her and it’s killing me

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I know it's hard not to worry about them when they aren't feeling well.
How is she doing today?
The overnight temperatures are good around 80 or so, no problem at all.
In your other thread I had inquired about the antibiotics, did they think she had infection,
correct & gave Baytril?
That's good to hear she is breathing a little better. Hopefully anything that she may have
had developing is clearing up for her. Keep her humidity relatively low until this all clears
out for her.
Keep us posted on her.

Tracie