Hello, my chinese water dragon, well i think is dieing and i need to konw if she is really sick. Well she is brown on her whole back, and she always has her mouth cracked open, or even wide open, and she barely eats! She is always sleeping and is taking forever to shed! Their are only little flakes peiling off her. Well these symtoms are occurring and she is only 9 inches long! Is she dieing or developing!? Is this normal? Is she just going through her phases? Thank you and have a great day, and also I bought this pet from a PET STORE. {petsmart} well what can i do to help all of this? Thank you!!!!!
2007-03-03 12:05:43 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I am the author of triciaswaterdragon.com and as several others have stated it does sound like your water dragon might have a respiratory infection.
Open mouth, appears to have difficulty breathing, mucous in mouth or nostrils, not moving much, poor color and not eating well can all be signs of respiratory infection, although some of these symptoms could indicated other disorders as well (wonders about parasite infection as well).
You need to get her to a reptile vet ASAP. The vet will probably put her on antibiotics.
You should also make sure that the cage temps are correct - 84 -88 F during the day with a basking area that reaches 92F, night temps are usually 80 - 84 F but since your dragon sounds sick I would keep night temps up between 84 F and 86 F until she's better.
Also be sure that you have the correct lighting for your dragon. you need to provide UVB florescent light (not a screw in light bulb unless it's a mercury halide or mega-ray).
2007-03-05 19:43:08 · answer #1 · answered by triciawd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not normal. What is her humidity (do you have a hygrometer to measure)? These need for it to be very high (80%)! What is the temperature in her cage? This would be why she's having problems shedding. The brown color means she's stressed and the gaping when she breathes sounds like a respiratory infection, for which she'll probably need antibiotics (from a vet). Turn up her heat to the high 80s (87-90) round the clock till you get her to the vet (preferably one that specializes in reptiles) and increase her humidity! And read the web links below.
2007-03-03 12:28:39 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She has a respiratory infection and without vet treatment she will die. I had the same problem with my Chinese Water Dragon that I rescued. This is normally caused by improper lighting/heating, so take it to a vet and do research on water dragons to make sure you are caring for it properly.
The person above me doesn't know what they are talking about, she is not pregnant. I'm 99% sure that it is a respiratory infection.
www.anapsid.org/waterdragons.html
www.triciaswaterdragon.com
2007-03-03 12:27:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it have any mucus in its mouth? Could be respiratory infection or parisites.Do you have its humitity and temp in its cage right? Last reptile we got from a pet store like that died even after I took it to a vet 2 times and after paying over 70 bucks.Hope your dragon gets better.Take it to a vet then you will know you did all you could for it.
2007-03-03 14:21:44 · answer #4 · answered by heyitsannamaria 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
has it had any stools? if so are they runny? maybe some parasites, easy to clear up. See a vet would be your best bet. Is it gettign the proper diet?
What about proper heat/ lighting?
How big is her inclosure? Does she have room to move around and out from the heat?
is she just stressed from her journey?
Here is some info i picked up from diffrent sites, ill peice it together for a quick easy read with out having to jumble through it all.
"Its color can vary between a bright green and a dark brown, according to the stresses of its environment."
"They are capable of eating insects, small fish such as goldfish, small mammals such as "pinky" mice, and certain vegetation. Drops from branches into bodies of water when startled. Has been known to occaisionally escape predators on land by raising up and running on its hind legs."
" As arboreal creatures, they need large enclosures. Water Dragon enclosures must have plenty of branches and items to climb on, they also need a swimming pool. The dragon should be able to submerge at least 1/3 of its total body. Avoiding pine cedea(55 gallons for a juvenile, larger for an adult, 6ft tall 4ft long 2 ft deep minimal for adult), and a humidity of 80%, a daytime temperature of 84-88 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking zone of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, and a night time of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal in order to simulate their natural rainforest environment. As with most diurnal reptiles, they require both UVA and UVB lighting in order to properly absorb calcium. Chinese water dragons have an excellent temperament, rarely bite, and make excellent pets -- provided one is willing to invest the extra effort in care."
And here is a whole page on main ailments on water dragons
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/ailments.htm
Good luck,
2007-03-04 04:16:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you taken youre pet to the veterinary clinic and had the doctor check her out first cause can happen if she is feeling sick if she didnt doing much in the water or even trying to eat then i think she must be pregnanted or she is dying . i would call the veterinarian today so that can bring youre dragon for x ray . maybe they can gave you somehing to take care of her .
2007-03-03 12:15:39 · answer #6 · answered by statecalifornia2009 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Herp Vet might be able to prescribe Baytril to cure a respiratory infection if it's not too late. Good luck.
2007-03-03 13:24:59 · answer #7 · answered by Keith M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does she have proper lighting/heat? Brown in a reptile typically means stress. You need to take your dragon to a vet asap.
2007-03-03 12:13:31 · answer #8 · answered by Rebecca B. 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋