My bearded dragon is wheezing. Should I be worried? What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My bearded dragon is 6 years old and whenever I pick her up, she makes a wheezing sounds. This also happens when she runs or walks. I don't know the current cage temp. I am worried. What can I do for her?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 9th, 2017
Confirm correct cage temps and humidity levels. Ideally, a thermometer and hygrometer should be placed at each end of the encosure. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or discharge from the eyes or nose. These can all indicate respiratory infection. Have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose infection or injury. More information regarding environmental parameters can be found here: http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 3rd, 2019
Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a bearded dragon who is 14 and roughly 16 inches long lately he has been making a kind of cough/hiccup noise and opens his mouth very wide almost as if he is having trouble breathing. I am not shrue how to go about helping him recover. Than
He should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian. The symptoms described may indicate a respiratory infection. The vet can confirm or rule out this possibility then dispense antibiotics if necessary. In the meantime, increase ambient temperature by about 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery. Make sure he stays hydrated and continues to eat normally.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a bearded dragon and I haven’t been able to handle him as much as I use to due to me having surgery. When I went to pick him up today I noticed he has a slight wheezing sound. He hasn’t been eating much either
Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi our bearded dragon seems very pale and looks like trying to poo and coughing, she was fine in the morning, i took her out to walk around then when i got back she was blowing her beard as if she was coughing or trying to vomit. I took her to vet bu
Confirm proper temperature and humidity. Incorrect environmental parameters may lead to respiratory infections. Provide adequate UVB lighting or unfiltered sunlight also. UVB light is critical to vitamin D metabolism and general health. Dragons cannot vomit and coughing may indicate an upper respiratory infection. This can be serious if not treated appropriately and promptly. Legally, we are prohibited from providing doses for medications in the absence of a physical exam and VPCR (veterinarian-patient-client relationship). Your veterinarian should be able to consult with a reptile specialist via phone or online and can then dispense or administer medication if indicated. You can review dragon care at the link below. www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My beardie made an odd sound. It kind of sounded like a sneeze or a cough though-it’s hard to explain. It only happened once but I’m still concerned that he might have a respiratory infection-there was a short period where I couldn’t get his humidity
Wheezing or popping noises while breathing may indicate respiratory infection. Lethargy and "gaping" (opening and closing mouth) are also symptoms.
You can monitor Clyde and if symptoms persist or worsen, you should have him examined by your herp veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I am pet sitting a friend’s bearded dragon. He has been eating very little. I put him in the tub to swim around like my friend does. That helps him poop. His hind left leg started twitching and he swam normally for a bit and then flipped over and loo
Give him some time to settle down. If the heavy breathing persists or if you hear wheezing, popping or see discharge from his nose or mouth then have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. If possible, contact your friend and ask if Draco has ever exhibited this behavior in the past. He could be stressed to begin with at the absence of his owner.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My bearded dragon is very sick. She won't eat or drink, she barely moves, her head hung low, she shakes when she does moves, can't keep her eyes open much and has a respiratory problem and bone problem from previous house. My question is do I keep tr
Ideally, she should be examined by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. The "bone problem" may respond to treatment such as calcium injections or oral supplementation. The respiratory issue may respond to antibiotics. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution or water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage. Do this twice daily for 15-20 minutes each. It will help treat or prevent minor dehydration and warm her up. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Increase her tank temps by 5 degrees and keep it on 24/7 until she responds/recovers. Do not force feed her unless you have experience doing so. Euthanizing her at home on your own is never recommended. If necessary, have your veterinarian perform it in the clinic or by housecall.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Can I beared dragon get a respiratory infection from a mouse? I had to put my mouse down because of an infection. Now o noticed he has trouble breathing sometimes. Should I make a vet appointment today
I'm sorry to read about the loss of your mouse. It is not likely Puff would catch a respiratory infection from a sick mouse. If he is showing symptoms of illness (lethargy, decreased appetite, raspy breathing or gaping), then he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Respiratory infection typically requires prescription antibiotics for treatment. You will need to get these from your vet after an exam and diagnosis.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Lately I have noticed my bearded dragon leaving his mouth slightly open. Sometimes, when his mouth is fully closed, he seems to "exhale" and I can see a little puff of air push out from his lips. Also I can see his beard growing and shrinking as he b
Thanks for reaching out about Smaug and including photos. Husbandry sounds good but diet is poor. Insects are not a complete diet and are highly deficient in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. The clinical signs you mentioned are possible early signs of metabolic bone disease (difficulty inhaling) or a respiratory infection. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Try syringe feeding a vegetable puree or Gerber's vegetable baby food until a veterinary visit can be scheduled. If a respiratory infection, antibiotics will likely be needed to provide recovery. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Bearded dragon is having consistent problems in left eye. His eye has a hard crusting underneath I can not soak off! Have tried for days. Don’t want to pull it off and hurt him. His eye gets clear sticky fluid building up in the bottom of his eye. Ha
Check the humidity level. For beardies, it should range between 30 and 40%. Too high or too low can predispose Jank to infection or shedding complications. If a 20-30 minute warm compress doesn't help, have him examined by your veterinarian or experienced herp vet. A physical exam may diagnose or rule out abscess/infection or tumor. In either case, you'll need a vet to dispense medication or to pursue additional diagnostics (blood work, biopsy, aspirate, etc).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a 5 months old bearded dragon. The past two days he hasn't been eating and feels like he is filled with air like a balloon. His beard is also black for the first time. He has been pooping regularly and looks healthy otherwise. Temps are cor
Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Monitor Drogon for difficulty breathing, blowing bubbles, lethargy, or odd sounds while breathing. These are symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Parasites or URI may cause the condition you are seeing. Bump cage temps up by about 5F for a few days. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte twice daily for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the UVB light source is not older than 6 months and use quality vitamin and mineral supplements. If Drogon gets worse or does not begin eating soon, have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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