Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello

I have an Argus/Flavi cross (aprx. 24 in.) and lately i noticed when i go to pick him up (which he still refuses to let me, even after 5 months), he hisses like normal, and also sounds a little weazy. Along with this, he opens his mouth while he breathes. Finally, i have noticed a crusty build up in and around his nostrils. All these signs lead me to believe he might have a resperatory problem. however his temperatures are in their proper range and he is eating every day. Please help. I would really like to prevent anything that would hurt my monitor.

Thank you
Keith

It sounds like your monitor has the same problem as the savanna I rescued, although not as severe YET. I have a post a little farther down. I took mine to a vet and she is on antibiotics. Mine weezes but she will auctully open her mouth and sneeze and sometimes cough. I am no expert on monitors by any means so that is about all I can tell you. But it definitly sounds like a respitary infections.

it is possible for your monitor just to have a cold, however if not corrected the cold could lead to serious respitory infections. You say the temps are in range what are they? do you know what they are for sure? basking should be 120-130 possibly a little higher wiht an ambient of 80 or so, not going too far below that, not too mention humidity has to be good too, at least 60-65%
good luck

Yes, i know the temps. The basking spot is 135 and the ambient is 85.I cannot be certain on the humidity though. Is there anyway to help him by not taking him to the vet immediately? or should that be the first order of buisness?

Thanks
Keith

id go to the vet, why chance anything? it might be nothing or could be something that could hurt your monitor, it would be worth the couple bucks of going to the vet to have it checked out, or it could pass in a few days. If you chose not to go, id increase mistings, maybe once daily, and leave your temps alone, se what happpens?

.

this tends to happen to people who keep their monitors in colder climates. They have their enclosures on the ground and it gets very cold. Could you tell us where you reside this could be solved by simple insolating the enclosure and raising it ..... even though your temps read something the monitors can still feel the cold air through drafts and cold substrate.

The enclosure is in my rec. room on the third floor of my house.We heat by wood so we have the excess heat "dump" into the rec. room so it is always at 65 degrees. It is elevated off the ground easily 6 inches.

Thanks Keith

I would take him out of his cage, take out all the substrate you use whatever it is. I would have zero substrate dry floor, up the humidity and soak him. I would keep him like that until he breathed normaly and keep temps med-high. If his nasal passages are clogged any substrate can cause or worsen the clog. If you cant clear his cage of substrate, put him in a temp cage thats clean from any sustrate and do the same. What are using as dirt?

I used dirt that i got form outside my house. It is not from any road so i don't think there could be any comtaminants. I can probibly move all his dirt out of his cage and wipe is clean. I have tryed soaking him but he is very skittish. I have had him for 5 months now but seems to have shown no signs of getting used to me taking him out to clean or soak him. Any ideas?

Thanks very much
Keith