emberNchester
Member
I took Chester to the vet today because it seemed like he was showing signs of an early URI and I was concerned. He's been bloating his tummy, resting his head upwards when he sleeps, making a strange popping noise and opening his mouth, and this morning he yawned and made a wheezing noise. This has all been sometimes and the yawning was just once so far. I didn't want to take chances and I rushed him to the vet. When I called I specifically asked to make sure they had a Reptile Specialist which they said they did. So I took Chester in and met the vet and he checked Chester's mouth and listened to his breathing and everything. He was impressed that Chester was calm for the most part ? Except for when the vet forced him to open his mouth but I wouldn't be that calm either. Anyways, ultimately the vet said that he didn't hear any abnormal breathing or anything else to be concerned about. He said that mainly he thinks Chester may just be adapting to his new substrate (paper towels bc I mistakenly used Sand earlier). Told me that Sand holds a lot of bacteria in that isn't good for him and it could cause a URI possibly. But he said that Chester doesn't seem like he has a URI but that his throat may be too dry which is causing him to make those noises. He told me I should UP the humidity a little bit. Or "steam" Chester a little by keeping him in the bathroom when someone is showering. I didn't understand at first and I still kind of don't but since he was the vet I was going to blindly trust. Until the food subject came up and he told me that bearded dragons could eat any veggies and fruits that humans can eat. Then I got really skeptical. I told him the veggies I've been feeding him and I said that I know grapes are poisonous. The vet said: "eehhhh but a grape here and there isn't gonna do anything. Just don't feed it to him regularly" and proceeded to say: "oh and dragons are omnivorous so you can even feed him a bit of boiled chicken here and there if you want. They can eat practically anything really, within reason."
And I've never heard that they can eat chicken or grapes or that they could eat" practically anything". So I need to know, do you think that "steaming" Chester is the proper "cure"? Do you think his diagnostic is plausible? I don't really know if I should trust him.
Here's Chester's current setup:
Idk why it sometimes makes the picture sideways.
I think he said Chester was either 58 or 68 grams. I forgot after our conversation but he said it was healthy. Chester is 8" with a nipped tail. He seems really stressed too and I think it's because he still has leftover shed on his hands and tail. I asked about that too and the vet said it's because there's not enough moisture to shed it. I'm inclined to believe that statement though.
I keep his temps between 80-105 on the hot side and never below 70 on the cooler side. I feed him Dubia Roaches and Silkworms. I try to mix in some mustard greens in with his food so he can't avoid it.
And I've never heard that they can eat chicken or grapes or that they could eat" practically anything". So I need to know, do you think that "steaming" Chester is the proper "cure"? Do you think his diagnostic is plausible? I don't really know if I should trust him.
Here's Chester's current setup:
Idk why it sometimes makes the picture sideways.
I think he said Chester was either 58 or 68 grams. I forgot after our conversation but he said it was healthy. Chester is 8" with a nipped tail. He seems really stressed too and I think it's because he still has leftover shed on his hands and tail. I asked about that too and the vet said it's because there's not enough moisture to shed it. I'm inclined to believe that statement though.
I keep his temps between 80-105 on the hot side and never below 70 on the cooler side. I feed him Dubia Roaches and Silkworms. I try to mix in some mustard greens in with his food so he can't avoid it.