Breathing with mouth open | Graceful Dragons

nyx
Hatchling

Posts: 4

Breathing with mouth open Nov 8, 2006 20:28:57 GMT -5

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Post by nyx on Nov 8, 2006 20:28:57 GMT -5

A few weeks after I got Kif I noticed him breathing with his mouth open. I started to panic because I thought he might have and infection but he didn't do it again. On a few more occasions I have seen him do it for a short time. I'm back from being on vacation for a week. I noticed tonight he was breathing with his mouth slightly open. I fed them crickets and he happily ate a few. After he ate the crickets he sat there with his teeth bared at me. It looked weird and he finally closed his mouth after awhile. Should I take him to vet? I'm not really sure if it's really a problem since he has a healthy appetite and is pretty chubby right now.

Also, he was the bigger of the two lizards but after 2 weeks Rowan quickly outgrew him. Kif is not only smaller but he has never turned bright green. He is still a slightly dark color and I haven't seen him shed yet, but he spends a lot of time in the soaking tub.

lordbuba
Juvenile

Posts: 21

Breathing with mouth open Nov 20, 2006 22:45:46 GMT -5

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Post by lordbuba on Nov 20, 2006 22:45:46 GMT -5

Kif doesn't try to bite at all does he? i have an AWD that likes to open her mouth and sometimes try to bite.. it seems to be like she is trying to tell me that she doesn't like to be handled. other than that maybe someone else can be of more assistance. As for the size, that could mean that kif is a female water dragon. i know the males grow bigger and are brighter in color.

nyx
Hatchling

Posts: 4

Breathing with mouth open Dec 2, 2006 14:36:12 GMT -5

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Post by nyx on Dec 2, 2006 14:36:12 GMT -5

I took him to the Vet and found out he had a nasty respiratory infection. That's what I suspected but wasn't sure. He also as having terrible shedding problems but I was able to help him out and now he looks better. Both dragons were tested and showed up with mites and nematodes so they're both getting treated.

Rowan is still bigger and brighter colored and Kif is now brighter but a bit smaller. They are way to small to tell if one is male or female yet. I'm just calling them both boys for now.

The vet also said that some Dragon's will flourish while others will have problems. So I guess this means Kif might be more prone to getting sick and I have to baby him a bit more. He's doing a lot better after taking antibiotics.