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| This is what our member has to say: You have been presented with sound advice thus far. It sounds as if one of your dragons may have respiratory infection. This needs to be ... |
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11-15-2005, 12:31 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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You have been presented with sound advice thus far. It sounds as if one of your dragons may have respiratory infection. This needs to be treated by a vet. A vet will administer anti biotics if the case is too far advanced and advise you too keep temps at about 84-88 around the clock for a week or two. Somthing needs to be addressed to prevent reoccurence. My guess is sub optimal temps and stress from the cage mate are the factors contributing to the illness here.
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11-15-2005, 10:25 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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I don't have a digital camera so I can't get pics on here yet. But they seem to be getting along today, no nipping. I went to the local pet store and got a thermo/hydro meter today and it told me a lot. It's 6:15 at night and the temp is at 80F, the humidity is at 60% which means even though I have a live plant in there and mist the cage often, the humidity is still low. AND even though I have a ceramic 150watt basking light over them it's not maintaining a good temp. I also have a UVB flouresant light over them for the whole day but not at night. Also I put the humidity/Temperature gauge in between the cool end and warm end.
Having that all said, is there any ways recomended to warm the cage up a bit, and get the humidity at a higher level? I thought about putting a heating pad under the cage but I think it would be a fire hazard. I'm using reptile carpet so I don't think undergravel heaters would be a good idea, or are they? I'm here to learn so any ideas would be great.
Another thing, there is no other symptoms other than the gaping mouth. The wrinkly skin is pretty much just under it's neck and shoulders. I don't know if it has anything to do with any of it.
I will try to get Chidori to a vet as soon as I can but I have to drive 2 hours to get to the closest vet that will look at reptiles and they don't have appointments for a while. Also, driving there is a factor, so I'm trying to get them in fast.
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11-15-2005, 10:32 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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I agree with pooka, you should prob get the little guy to a vet as soon as you can...sally(my oldest WD) has a respitory infection and shes on meds right now. I have her seperated from the others with her humididty at only 70 percent and her temps 86-90...shes doing alot better now 
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11-15-2005, 10:35 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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I think you're right, I just have to get a vet to let me make an appointment soon. Not many reptile vets in my area, none actually. So I'll have to go out of town. Thanks for all the advice, I'm really learning a lot.
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11-15-2005, 10:44 PM
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 Im glad we could help you, lol, Ive learned alot since Ive joined this forum..the most important thing being you really cant just wait and see if thigns get better in a week, or in a few days because usually they dont. LOL, look at me Ive been bringing atleast one of my beasts to my vet just about every other week...I hope everything goes well with your little dragon  Best of luck!!
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11-16-2005, 12:48 PM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by mshrmheadcharge
 Im glad we could help you, lol, Ive learned alot since Ive joined this forum..the most important thing being you really cant just wait and see if thigns get better in a week, or in a few days because usually they dont. LOL, look at me Ive been bringing atleast one of my beasts to my vet just about every other week...I hope everything goes well with your little dragon  Best of luck!!
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For me this statement has alos been true. Untill they get really established your in a constant state of tweaking and fixing and diagnosing and fixing some more untill everyone (reptiles & you) are adjusted.
You might want to use a moonlight bulb or ceramic heat emitter (the heat emmiter can be a bit pricey and is best used with qa thermostat or rheostat) to bring up night time temps without interferring with sleep cycles. Also a easy fix is to just raise the temp of the room at night with the house heater. Might be a tad uncomfy for the human inhabitants for a week or two but would seriosuly help your dragon if he is starting a respiratory infection. If its advanced much at all anti biotics will be needed so I still heavily reocmmned a vet visit. Best of luck.
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11-16-2005, 05:43 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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I have a ceramic bulb for them, but how do I keep it warm and humid, I put a towel over most of the screen, that hasn't worked. I spray in there every time it goes below 80% (which seems to be every half hour). I have the heat under control now, It's 85 in there in the middle so that shouldn't be too bad. It's just the humidity now. I know that this isn't going to solve the problem. I am going to take Chidori to a vet as soon as I can, I just want to get everything set up as good as I can.
Oh yeah, Chidori, the one who is gaping will eat mealies and baby food. She/he LOVES baby food.
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11-16-2005, 05:56 PM
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You can use a pvc pipe to direct a humidifier into the cage to increase humidy. My humidity hovers from %40-%60, I don't stress to much on less then %80 personally.
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11-18-2005, 03:48 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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Pictures of my lizards
Here are some pictures of my lizards, there are two of Chidori with her/his mouth open and one of Sousuke lounging. I finally figured out how to do it and I'm happy yay!
Chidori is going to the vet soon so let's all hope he/she is ok...looks kinda skinny in the first picture but that's because she's/he's started to breath funny and I still haven't been able to get him/her into the vet yet.
I definately think it's a resp. infection so let's hope the vet knows what he's doing.
Ok, that's it, I'm just going to call Chidori a girl and Sousuke a boy. I don't know what they really are since they are still hatchlings but that's just so I don't have to type he/she anymore. 
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11-18-2005, 07:22 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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they look great, but you honselty want to try to get your temps up to 84-88, 84being the cool side and 88 being the warm side..its very important to maintain the proper temps so they have an easy time digesting their food, i know when my temps were lower they didnt eat as much as they do now that I have the temps right..and if your WD does have a respitory infection you want to keep your humidity lower, that will help dry it out  best of luck
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