Help!

[Dark_Angel_x322]

My Chinese Water Dragon has been gaping all day off & on. The temps are normal and so is the humidity. He is active and eatting. Is this a normal occurance with WDs or am I just crazy? I have had him about a month and haven't seen him shed. he was about 12" STL when I got him... not sure if it has changed much since. How often should these guys shed?:confused:

I am trying to figure out if a vet visit is in the near future...

Do you think it could be a respiritory infection?

Thanks for your help!

[Samba]

You could take him to the vet just in case, but Water Dragons, (like Bearded Dragons) seem to open-mouth breathe normally. It could be an infection, so that warrents a visit to the doc, otherwise keep us updated.

[V.hb]

if hes basking, its completely normal. They gape like dogs sort of in heat.. Dont worry to much unless you see mucus.

[Dark_Angel_x322]

No mucus but it seems like he is holding his breath then forcing himself to exhale every so often. Could his nostrils be block? If so how would one go about cleaning them?

How often do dragons shed?

Thanks!

[Bartman]

I dunno if its the same but my bearded dragon did it all the time when he was basking and he did fine and was in good health but i dont have him anymore. It could be a resperatory infection he is doing it all around the tank and not only under the baskin site.
Hope this helped.

[Dark_Angel_x322]

yeah he does it even if i am holding him.

[17730turtlegirl]

aaaw poor little guy (or girl)

[Samba]

By the sound of it, I would suspect an upper respitory infection (although I am not a vet by any means) if he is CONSTANTLY doing it... as if he can not breathe out of his nostriles. Doesn't hurt to take him in just in case... after all, if he does turn out to have an infection and you wait until he starts getting really bad not only will the vet bills go up, but his chances of recovery go down as well. Keep us updated!

[Dragon_Slave]

My (bearded) dragon has been recently opening his mouth and making his back go like this... ~. It was because he was shedding and he puffed out and puffed his beard to loosen up the skin... could your Water Dragon be shedding at the moment? If not, I'd say it's time for a vet trip.

[Dark_Angel_x322]

Well i am waiting for the vet to get a free moment... he has had a busy day today and they asked me to call back at 6:45 central time and the doctor will speak with me then.

I got a picture of Joker gaping... What do you think? (http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8935)

I hope it is not serious since he is acting pretty normal... he does like to be closer to me than usual tho...

[Dark_Angel_x322]

Well I talked to the vet and he doesn't seem to think I should worry because JOker is still eating and drinking and is active. He thinks Joker is just thermoregulating or being territorial. I am still kind of worried because Joker has only gone to see Dr. Miller once for a broken leg and he is the only herp vet in my area. I know he is great with other herps but I'm not sure about CWDs. Well I will just have to keep an eye on himand hope for the best...

Thanks for your help!

[Dark_Angel_x322]

After Joker kept gaping for a while now I decided something had to be definently wrong so I took him to the vet this morning. It turns out both his nostrils were blocked, the vet picked Jokers nose and told me I shouldn;t use the last bit of bark in the bag because it is usually dusty and causes the blocked noses. I am also suppose to keep the humidity up a bit higher. The vet said he looked very good health wise so Joker is now happy and healthy and no longer gaping :)

Thanks again for your help!