Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My hatchling Egyptian Uro (he/she's about5 inches inlength so not REALLy hatchling..) is gasping for air today. When i went to go pick him up he opened his mouth and had VERY labored breathing only when he was Exhaling though. HIs mouth was very open and he didn't look happy about it. It has since stopped. My G/f says she's seen him do this before although I have not nor never seen any of my previous Uros do this . She thinks its a defense mechanism but I don't.. it's not like he's hissing he was gasping.. Could he have a respitory infection or have gotten sand in his lungs or what do you think this is. I keep him on sand that is covered with bird seed but sometimes he digs down to the sand. Also, he's been drinking alot of water lately.. just gave him a bath last nite he's real thirsty.. could this be related?

He's fine now.. I guess i'll have to make another vet appt. my last herp vet left the practice and they wont tell me where she's gone it's SOOO hard to find a good herp vet that knows what they are doing.. i had one before that was a total quack and let one of my beardies die.. thats another story..

ANy thoughts on this greatly appreciated

-Kristen
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4.1 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
(Papa Kunja and Uri have recently passed..we love you)

Thank you for your advice!

A couple of suggestions... The general consensus is that Uros less than 6-7" should be on papertowels, not sand. Also, giving baths is a great way for them to aspirate liquid into their lungs, potentially causing a respiratory infection. There is really no reason at all for a Uro to be soaked. I'd get your baby Uro onto papertowels, completely getting rid of the sand/seed substrate ASAP. Get it into a good reptile vet to be checked for a respiratory infection and treated if needed.