Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Two weeks ago I got an adult male ornate and he started eating, drinking, etc. right away. Yesterday I noticed a slight clicking sound from him when I picked him up. Took him to the vet and the vet (the only uros he has seen are mine) could find no cause for the clicking. Airways, etc. appeared visually and listening to be fine. I took fecal and they found one egg - he suggested treating with panacur for parasites. Today the clicking is still there although he is still active, etc. Any ideas what I should look for or what the vet should look for. Sorry for the long post.

Is he doing it all the time? My mali will make a clicking noise occasionally. I thought she does it as some heat control b/c she doesn't have to be eating or anything like that and she will do it. I think it is normal so....

i know a poppng noise can be made if they have a respiratory infection. my guys are really loud about smacking their lips, like after they finish chewing. one of my other types of lizards is a real spaz and if something scares him, he breathes hard and makes a small noise. just some suggestions, let us know if you figure it out
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

My first guess would have been some kind of a respiratory problem, but the vet would have picked up on that.

As mentioned above, popping sounds can indicate respiratory problems. However, my adult male mali makes a clicking noise when he's agitated or struggling (me checking his toenails, giving meds, etc). I was concerned - the vet found nothing wrong, and the uro's been fine like that for months now. He doesn't make the sound unless I'm bothering him, so it may be a normal noise as part of his fussing routine. My other two malis don't make that noise, but maybe not all do it. Yours has been checked by your vet and appears otherwise healthy? Probably wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on him.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx geyri (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and Spike)
1.0 Uromastyx ornata (Scuttlebutt)
2.1 Anolis carolinensis (Bowser, Sprocket, and Leeloo)
0.1 African dwarf frog (Sheila)
1.0 Betta splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

Frye,

Have you noticed your ornate getting rigid and swelling up with air when you pick it up? I ask because they have a defensive behavior of swallowing air to give the appearance of being larger to scare off predators. (Well, that is our interpretation anyway.)
This swallowing action can result in a clicking type sound. The fact that you hear this when you are holding him leads me to believe that this could very well be what you are hearing. Watch his throat movement the next time you are hearing the noise and see if it looks as if it is occurring with a deep swallowing pattern. (I believe most audible respiratory noises are heard upon exhale) Sometimes the uromastyx will actually fill with air and sometimes you only hear the noise and see the throat action. I tend to see this pattern of behavior more with my ornates than with other species I own.

If this were respiratory, I would think that you would see other outward symptoms (lethargy, weight loss, decreased appetite, stargazing, stringy mucus, open mouth breathing/gaping) if the disease process is advanced far enough to be producing audible exhalations.

My personal opinion- normal defensive response. The remedy- stop picking him up.

Thanks - that is exactly what is happenings. He does puff himself up when he is picked up and that is the only time I have heard these noises. None of my other uros (mali and geyri) do this although these are the first ornates I have. Thank you very much for your thoughts - hopefully that is all it is and I can rest a little easier.

I'm glad you asked the question, and doubly glad you got an answer. I've been worried about my new Ornate who also clicks when handled. Also vet checked fine. First thought of course was respiratory but no other symptoms. I could handle him at the pet store, and the first week when I got him, but no more. He was on the cool side the first week but now is always on the warm side. Now that he's toasty, he goes nuts when I walk by. Does this "belly dance" thing and wipps his tail around. The few times I managed to catch him he did puff/click/thrash around. He bloodied my wrists with his nails and tails and open mouth hissed at me. Now I just admire him from afar. Picking him up is just too stressful for me and him. I'm bummed because I really want to play with him, but just don't want to risk health issues due to stress. Thanks again for asking the question!
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Lyns Lair
WNY Herpetological Society

0.1 Cat (Mia)
4.2 Ferrets (Wolf, Shadow, Verdell, Sullivan, Boo, Peach)
8.0 Rats (Inky, Oy, Ben, Pinky, Templeton, Cotton, Bilbo, Carlo)
1.0 Carpet Python (Bear)
1.0 Malagasy Blonde Hognose (Wilbur)
1.0 Yellow/Everglades Rat Snake (Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Sand Boa (Fang)
0.1 California King Snake (Boo)
0.1 Normal Corn Snake (Mysty)
1.0 Anery Corn Snake (Suezo)
1.1 Normal Corn Snakes het Pewter and Snow (Romeo & Juliet)
2.1.1 Eastern Milk Snakes (Uno, Dos, Tres, Snoopy)
1.0 Ball Python (Slytherin)
2.0 Smooth Green Snakes (Fred & George)
1.0 Banded Water Snake (Bubbles)
0.1 Golden Greek Tortoise (Sunshine)
0.2 Mississippi Mud Turtles (Squirt & Shyanne)
1.0 Green Iguana (Norbert)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Moose & Tipsy)
0.0.1 Mountain Horned Dragon (Tiramisu)
1.0 Ornate Uromastyx (Scribbles)
0.0.1 American Toad (Bump)
0.0.1 Fowlers Toad (Rudy)
0.0.3 Mystery Toads (no names yet)
1.0 AFT Gecko (Cocoa)
5.4 Leopard Geckos (Trouble, Scooter, Simba, Firenze, Teddy, Mystique, Freckles, Zipper, Twister)

i am sorry your little guy is having a change of heart. maybe he is getting ready to peel, helga can be really nasty when she is shedding. also can he see any of the other animals and is maybe freaked out? you got to witness the infamous S-dance. it is rather crazy looking but pretty effective at telling us to go away! maybe if you cover the glass for a little while and let him get adjusted a little more, he will calm down a bit. i hope he becomes your sweet little guy again!
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***