Re: Probable respiratory infection.
UPDATE: It's been quite some time since I've brought up this issue, and while there are still no definite signs of shedding, there also are NO other developing symptoms! So, by this point, I think it's nearly safe to say that a respiratory infection is out of the question. Unless I'm wrong, and symptoms can take many weeks to develop, but I'm assuming that it normally wouldn't take this long. His behavior still seems perfectly healthy, save for the fact that he wouldn't eat the last time I offered food to him (first time he's refused while I've had him), but at the very least he seemed interested in the food. And, to be fair, he'd been on live feed his whole life before I received him. So, although he switched over to f/t like a champ, it's understandable if he's maybe bored of it. I'm gonna try offering again tomorrow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Andrew_a
I just took my pastel to the vet for RI because she was making clicking noises and opening her mouth to breathe. The vet said it's not likely to see cases of RI around this time of year. He said he sees most cases around winter time. Since then I've soaked her 3 times and her symptoms have passed. She was due for a shed when the symptoms started so I'm assuming she had skin or something obstructing her breathing. Since your struggling with humidity, try soaking your little guy in a tub with a soaked towel and about a half inch of water (just enough to where he won't be submerged). Position the towel so he can move around on top, or in it. Either put the tub into your tank (that's what I do), or use a pad or heat lamp to keep it at a safe temperature. Leave him in there for at least 30 minutes. (I leave mine in for an hour) That should help hydrate him and loosen up any skin that may be stuck. But if symptoms don't disappear definitely get into a vet as soon as you can!
And this is EXCELLENT advice, thank you! The first time I did as you said, after I'd taken him out of the tub to dry him off, I noticed that I wasn't hearing any clicking or squeaking when he breathed. So the extra bump in humidity must've really helped loosen things up, as you said. I've soaked him like that twice now, and I suppose I'll just keep doing it every now and again until he sheds. But his breathing definitely seems to have gotten a bit better. I never figured that humidity would be the issue, since the first time he shed with me was all in one piece with no difficulties.
Also, as for husbandry, I've gone out and purchased a lamp hood with a dimmer and I've done some rearranging in his terrarium to really get the most out of the whole hot side / cool side deal. What really helped was getting a smaller water bowl, because the other one was unnecessarily large and just taking up way too much space and making it difficult to arrange things in an appropriate manner. I mean, I'm only working with a 20 gallon long tank, here.
So, I plan on fixing him up with the UTH I have lying around when I take him out to feed tomorrow, and maybe then I'll finally be finished experimenting with all of this husbandry and I can sit tight for awhile before I save up for a nice Animal Plastics one or something. :) I might even just wait until he outgrows this one. I feel a bit more in-control of temperature and humidity, now that I know that this doesn't seem to be an infection.
Thank you for the help, everyone!
