Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got him a few days ago, and he is puffing and looking like he can't breath good. He looks kinda tired too. He also didn't eat any crickets tonight. I have his basking spot set at 110 degrees and the cool side is between 75-80 degrees. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks in advance.

When you say puffing, is he just flattening out his body and puffing out his throat? or is he wheezing and gasping? Is there any discharge around his mouth or nostrals? If so he most likely has a respiratory infection and will need vet care immediately. If he is puffing out his throat and opening his mouoth wide, he is just trying to scare youo away. I am more included to think he is just puffing out because he is nervious in his new environment as you indicated you just got the dragon.

IS the suface temp that or is that the ambient temp around his basking area? there is a big difference, if that is the ambient temp, that is way too high and you need to lower it. Surface temp should not be any higher than that.

I will wait and see also what you reply to LdyPayne's questions so we can better understand what you mean

He isn't puffing his beard, I think he is gasping (gaping every min or so but no mucus or discharge coming from his nose or mouth,and making a popping sound when he puffs air out) the temps are set right like the books say, so I don't think that is the problem. I have his sister in there too and she is fine, should I remove him and set him up on his own as not to get her ill? I hope this helps as I don't have any other way to describe it. thanks so much for any suggestions you may have. Thanks, Tami

is not?

IF he is just gapping, sounds like the heat is too high and he is too lazy to move.

If he is making a popping sound he needs to be taken to a vet ASAP, that is URI and can be very major for them

Has the beardie been pooping regularly?
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TheClassyLizard

He ate about 4 crickets before bed, and I am going to check his temp again tomorrow. I had just added a piece of grapevine/wood whatever, anyway maybe he did get too hot or had a reaction to the wood. I will take him to a vet if he is doing that tomorrow after I removed the piece of wood and adjusted the temps. I hope he is ok, do they normally eat when they have an URI? Thanks I will check back tomorrow.

I wouldn't think they would eat with a URI. I've not experienced it, but if they are having trouble breathing, i think eating would not be priority.
Impaction and parasites can also cause bloating.
We're all just guessing, so as you said, a vet visit is in order.
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TheClassyLizard