Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Water Dragons Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Water Dragons Forum

Flyalaska   Tarkah   Flyalaska   4Kitara   Yexalen   Flyalaska   Yexalen   Clouddancer22   Flyalaska   Cphill58   Flyalaska   Cphill58   Clouddancer22   Cphill58   Flyalaska   Clouddancer22   Fuzzra   Cphill58   4Kitara   Flyalaska   4Kitara   Clouddancer22   Flyalaska  
 Member  Message

 #1823011


Flyalaska
View Profile

 Sick Dragon

I have some concerns about my dragon. I have noticed recently he has panting and having his mouth open. My wife said he through up some clear liquid. That could of been because she walked into a room the had a strong plug in air freshener. My other worry for the cause, may be the branches and wood. Not sure what type the branches are. Can someone ID them for me. ( pictured below ) I heard that you can’t use pine or oak. About the pine, The enclosure canopy may been made with pine. I have it stained and have 3 coats of poly urethane. Is it safe if its pine?. The first picture is the wood in question regarding the pine enclosure. I have an appointment for the vet. I also want other peoples opinion.











__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/07/08  03:42pm

 #1823022


Tarkah
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1823011


 Sick Dragon

did you air out the polyurethane for at least 2 weeks?

im not sure about the wood type as i don;t know how to identify it without leaves or something of the sort.

is the humidity okay?

sorry maybe someone else can help you better than me, i’ve never had a dragon throw up on me before



08/07/08  03:51pm

 #1823033


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Tarkah   In reference to Message Id: 1823022


 Sick Dragon

The wood aired out for over a month. The humidly is hard to keep stable, but I have the upper hand on it.

__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/07/08  03:56pm

 #1823092


4Kitara
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1823033


 Sick Dragon

Sounds like a RI, vet check is good!! In the mean time keep the temps up at night and kick the humidity up a bit. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
08/07/08  04:45pm

 #1823095


Yexalen
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1823033


 Sick Dragon

Sounds like he might have RI, the way you describe the "panting" and fluid coming up.

What are the temperatures, basking, warm side cool side

Is he near a window, air conditioner, fan, or door?

Whats the water temp?
08/07/08  04:46pm

 #1823133


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Yexalen   In reference to Message Id: 1823095


 Sick Dragon

What causes RI? Cold side is 74, warm side is (basking area) 90.Viv is not in direct contact with the AC vent. Nearest door/window is a sliding glass door which is always closed. Not sure about water temp. I can’t find my thermometer.

__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/07/08  05:23pm

 #1823142


Yexalen
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1823133


 Sick Dragon

RI is like a cold, so cold temperatures, drastic temperature changes all the time, and cold drafts.

Here is a link:

Link



08/07/08  05:37pm

 #1823432


Clouddancer22
View Profile



   Message To: Yexalen   In reference to Message Id: 1823142


 Sick Dragon

RI is an upper repiratory infection, usually from temps too low and/or humidity too low. You say the cool side is 74? That is pretty low. You say the basking area is 90, but what about inbetween? If just the basking area is 90 and all the rest is cool, then that is not good. The ambient temps for your viv should be more in the range of 83-88, since you have that tank and not a 6’ viv.

The panting thing is called gaping, and with the clear fluid you described indicates an RI for sure. If you bump up the temps to 83-88 throughout the viv, day AND night for a while, and get it as humid as possilbe, he should stop gaping.

If he stops gaping as often, you are on the right track. If it seems to get worse, you need antibiotics from the vet.



08/07/08  09:43pm

 #1823480


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 1823432


 Sick Dragon

Looks like I need more heat. Here is what I am using.

Basking/UVB - Mega Ray SB100
Night Light - 2 Red lights

Would a 75w basking light add enough heat on the cool side ti up the temp?


__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/07/08  10:28pm

 #1823555


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1823480


 Sick Dragon

Eddie , ....I thought you just got done lowering the heat ??/bask area , because it was too hot.

The branches are still green ...is that a sapling type wood ...still green and possibly juicy?

Ditch em in a hurry!!

The heat may cause the lizard to gape....but the throwing up ....well that is depending? branch sap / RI...

The best way to start experimenting with warming up the tank / enclosure is with regular house bulbs ....try a 75 watt ...then if needed...a 90 watt flood lamp ...or 100 watt house bulb...you will be just fine using house hold bulbs for heat ....because you already have a great UVB light.

Chris
08/07/08  11:42pm

 #1823588


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 1823555


 Sick Dragon

I got the temp ok where the Mega Ray. Its just everywhere else I have low temp problems. The branches are from sapling trees I found laying around a park. They are gree, but not juicy. Any idea what kind of tree I can use.

__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/08/08  12:20am

 #1823768


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1823588


 Sick Dragon

Yeah ...any kind of tree that has been dead for a few years....seriously, green branches and sap and stuff are not good ....willow, plum , peach, spruce, oak, aspen, alder .....get a book at the library ...just no pine or cedar...


CP
08/08/08  08:19am

 #1823787


Clouddancer22
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 1823768


 Sick Dragon

Even your basking area could stand to be bumped up a bit, to 95. I am surprised that CP hasn’t asked you if it was a surface temp or air temp, lol. Overall your temps seem a bit low. As CP said, try adding a regular household bulb to the mix.
08/08/08  09:06am

 #1824718


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 1823787


 Sick Dragon

Didn’t want to step on your territory ...babe...

CP
08/09/08  02:41am

 #1842126


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 1824718


 Sick Dragon

Got back from the vet today. Dakota is 100% better after a few weeks of vet visits and Baytril injection. He even had a shed last week.

__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/25/08  03:24pm

 #1842139


Clouddancer22
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1842126


 Sick Dragon

Oh, that is great news! Yay!

(Chris, that is YOUR territory, lmao!)
08/25/08  03:36pm

 #1842392


Fuzzra
View Profile



   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 1842139


 Sick Dragon

That’s awesome!!!



08/25/08  07:04pm

 #1842457


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Fuzzra   In reference to Message Id: 1842392


 Sick Dragon

Good job eddie ...glad to hear that ....Was it confirmed ...RI ...?

And what were the doctor’s orders ...it would be nice to hear more details ....all references from vets are good info...

CP
08/25/08  07:53pm

 #1842510


4Kitara
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 1842457


 Sick Dragon

Glad he’s better!!!!!!!
08/25/08  08:27pm

 #1842525


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 1842457


 Sick Dragon

Yes it was RI. I was told to pump up the temp. My case was caused by low temps. After the first vet visit I bought a CHE and got a Ultrasonic Humidifier.

On another note the vet told me that Pet Co , Petsmart and other pet stores sells wild caught dragons. Anybody reading this thinking of buying a dragon at your local pet store don’t listen to the sales person when they tell you that dragons are captive bred. I paid over $300 at the vet. It would be a lot cheaper to buy one from a breeder and have it shipped, than buy one locally and have the vet bills.

I was also told that most wild dragons will get RI, and you wont be safe until they reach around the 18 inch mark.


__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/25/08  08:43pm

 #1842540


4Kitara
View Profile



   Message To: Flyalaska   In reference to Message Id: 1842525


 Sick Dragon

Yeah, I got Kitar from Petsmart, and he got an RI cause it got too cold in our room a few nights in a row. I think that wild caught draogons are more susceptible to them than captive bred and I know if I ever do get another dragon I want to get one from a breeder, maybe one of the gals on here that breed! That would be cool!! He’s somewhere around 20" now and doing great health wise, but he’s still scared of me:( Probably also made worse from being wild caught, but I still love my baby boy!!!!
08/25/08  08:52pm

 #1842550


Clouddancer22
View Profile



   Message To: 4Kitara   In reference to Message Id: 1842540


 Sick Dragon

Ya, Eddie, that is what we were thinking - RI from too low of temps. Did you get that figured out yet?
08/25/08  09:03pm

 #1842562


Flyalaska
View Profile



   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 1842550


 Sick Dragon

Once I got the humidifier and the CHE everything fell into place. No problems! I have a happy dragon now. Except for the car rides to the vet. Dakota didn’t like that.

__________
Eddie
My Dragon Gallery
08/25/08  09:10pm


Back to Water Dragons Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area