Need to get to the vet

My female beardie looks like she may have a mouth infection. Here beard is swollen...not the normal beard puffing...but when you touch it is is somewhat firm...

Other than that she looks very healthy and is eating well. She laid a clutch a couple weeks ago. I don't know if she has just chubbed out or what - but i haven't seen it like this before.

The cage setup should be perfect. I have heard that a swollen neck might indicate MBD but that would really surprise me.

I can't help but I hope you get it figured out. Good luck!

Regards,

B

Thanks...wants to add that uv lighting is a powersun 100w.

What's temps like? It sounds like she may have the beginnings of an Ri. Do they have alot of humidity?

Can you post any pictures? It might help us get a better idea of what she may have.

Just posted a pic in my gallery...

Temps / husbandry are good...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/show...hp?i=35986&c=3

It looks like it's filled with something. A possible infection in her gullet maybe? I don't know know what's up with that. Is she breathing ok? Coughing?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by womsterr

Just posted a pic in my gallery...

Temps / husbandry are good...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/show...hp?i=35986&c=3

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Good is good but what are they and what are you using to measure them?

Temp is low/mid 90s in the basking spot...mid eighties in cool side. mid 70s at night...measured with point and shoot laser thermometer.

I felt the gullet to see if I can feel food items but it feels like flesh. I wonder if my male injured her during mating early this week?

The only reason i haven't ran to the vet just yet is she is breathing fine, eating fine (have some crickets, and mustard greens today. She does not react as if the gullet is sore of sensitive to the touch in any way...

My beardie looks like that sometimes after he eats, or is just feeling cranky, he expands something down there like that and it feels pretty hard. Or if he's eating a lot of food he will seem to hold it there, or puff up for some reason and it isn't soft like his beard normally is.

I would say if that doesn't go away, something is off.

Not a beardie person but when i did have them temps were always 100-105. Try increasing temps

That's a little low my basking temps peaks at 100-105 and coolside temps 85. If you can raise your basking to 105 tops. Peaks means it gradually increases until 100-105 about mid day levels until about 4pm and then gradually cools until lights go off at 8.

Maybe she is just cranky because she is ovulating again ? :)

Hmmm I'm not sure. I'd definately raise the basking temps. The stress of laying eggs, combined with low temps could have triggered the beginnings of an Ri. Many people don't even know when an Ri starts because they only notice the wheezing but that's a sign when it has become quite serious. Raise the temps on her basking area as see if that helps the throat area. Meanwhile if you get her to open her mouth do you see anything In there? Any mucus or extra gooeyness, or food?

Well I just checked my girl and the swelling is virtually gone. Seems like someone was just in a pissy mood for a while. Maybe i hurt her feelings ;)

keep an eye on her.....if she had eaten not to long before that it could of been just that. When Bob is eating she will fill up that spot.

Also your temps are way to low...as someone stated 100-105 in basking area is better.

As far as RI's go.......really watch it. If they are having trouble breathing then you have waited too long. With just about any reptile......when you notice breathing issues the situation is critical.

Also be sure that you are bathing your beardie at least once a week so that they can stay very hydrated.