Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a chinese water dragon that appears to be sick. She has been fine until yesterday when we noticed that she was breathing harder and was opening her mouth more. She ate yesterday, but today she is not eating and is breathing even harder. Does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong with her and what to do? My vet doesnt know a whole lot about reptiles, and I live in a pretty small town.

Thanks,

Brooken.

If your temps and humidity are within acceptable ranges then your dragon may have a respiratory infection. These are most generally the result of improper husbandry-primarily temperatures too low for too long a period of time. The term "mout gaping" is used to describe a reptile with RI. You should immediately raise the temperature to 88F round the clock and make sure that your humidity stays as close to optimal as you can possibly get. Spray more frequently, put bowls of warm water in the cage to up the humidity. RI can quickly kill your dragon if it progresses. A vet visit is usually required, but if you have caught it quickly you may find it improves with the temperature and humidity changes. Your dragon should be given an injection of baytril and the location site of the injection is critical as baytril is very toxic and hard on the kidney's. Dosages are available at www.anapsid.org (on Melissa Kaplans site)if your vet needs to reference them. Contact your vet if your dragons mouth gaping hasn't improved in 48 hrs. Good luck.
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Hello,

Thank you for the information. I think that this sounds pretty much like what is happening to my dragon. I looked at the website you suggested, but I cannot find the information on Baytril dosage. Can someone send this to me so that I can take it to my vet tomorrow. Is that the only antibiotic to use or could something like Penicillan G be used instead? Also, I did see where it said that nebulizing can help.. I have a nebulizer. Can someone tell me what medications I should get to use in the nebulizer?

Thank you again.

Brooke

http://www.anapsid.org/resources/rxdose.html#antibiotics

Here is the link for the dosage chart on anapsid.org

I haven't ever read of inhaled medication via nebulizer usedfor reptiles, but using your nebulizer to increase humidity in the enclosure would be beneficial even without any medication.

Good luck!
Antibiotic dosages for reptiles/lizards

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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago