Respiratory infections are very common in Chinese water dragons As an owner, it’s important to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments for these infections to properly care for your pet. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to respiratory infections in Chinese water dragons
What is a Respiratory Infection?
A respiratory infection occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi infect the respiratory tract. This includes the nasal passages, throat, windpipe, and lungs. Infections cause mucus buildup that makes breathing difficult. They also release toxins that further irritate and damage respiratory tissues.
Reptiles like Chinese water dragons are prone to respiratory infections due to their environments. Dirty habitats, improper temperatures/humidity, stress, and poor nutrition compromise their immune systems. Parasites and pre-existing illnesses also increase susceptibility.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common signs of respiratory infection in Chinese water dragons are
- Labored, open-mouthed breathing
- Wheezing, crackling, or popping sounds
- Mucus discharge from the nose/mouth
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Weight loss
In severe cases, infected dragons may gasp for air or stretch their necks to breathe easier. As the infection progresses, they become weaker and more ill. Immediate treatment is crucial.
Causes and Risk Factors
The main causes of respiratory infections in Chinese water dragons are:
- Unsanitary living conditions – Dirty habitats allow microbes to thrive.
- Incorrect temperatures – Dragons need proper ambient and basking temperatures.
- Improper humidity – Their enclosures should maintain around 80% humidity.
- Poor nutrition – Inadequate vitamins/minerals weaken the immune system.
- Stress – Change, inadequate housing, and other factors cause stress.
- Parasites – Mites, worms, and protozoa tax the immune system.
- Underlying illness – Existing issues like mouth rot increase risk.
Treatment and Care
If you suspect a respiratory infection, take your dragon to an experienced reptile veterinarian immediately. They will prescribe antibiotics and may administer supportive therapies like oxygen.
At home, focus on optimizing your pet’s environment. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the habitat. Carefully monitor temperatures and humidity levels. Make sure your dragon has a proper diet with calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Quarantine infected dragons from other pets.
With prompt treatment, most mild respiratory infections resolve within 2-3 weeks. More severe cases may require hospitalization. Even after successful treatment, affected dragons are prone to recurrence. Stick to preventative measures to avoid future infections.
Prevention
You can prevent most respiratory infections through proper husbandry:
- Perform partial cage cleanings daily and full cleanings every 4 weeks.
- Maintain ideal ambient temps of 84-88°F and basking temps of 95°F.
- Use hygrometers to keep humidity around 80%.
- Feed a varied diet with fruits, vegetables, insects, and calcium/vitamin supplements.
- Address causes of stress like inadequate housing size.
- Treat any parasites and underlying illnesses.
- Quarantine new dragons for at least 90 days before introducing them.
With attentive care and husbandry, respiratory infections are avoidable in most cases. Be vigilant for signs of illness and always involve your vet at the first suspicion of infection. Prompt treatment and optimized living conditions give your dragon the best chance of recovery.
Treatment of Respiratory Infections in Reptiles
Veterinarians alter the treatment of respiratory disease depending on the root cause of infection. However, veterinarians often cannot find a particular reason for the pet’s illness. In these cases, veterinarians may administer the following drugs:
- Antibiotics (i.e., enrofloxacin, ceftazidime)
- Anti-parasitic drugs (i.e., ivermectin)
- Anti-fungal medications (i.e., itraconazole)
Often, treatments are injectable, not oral, due to easier administration and better absorption in reptiles. Some pathogens, especially some viruses, do not have a specific treatment. Supportive care and treatment to prevent secondary infections may be helpful in these cases. Supportive care includes fluid therapy, heat support, potential oxygen therapy, and improved husbandry.
Overall care plays a vital role in the recovery of respiratory infections. Temperature is crucial for a successful recovery. Improper temperatures allow pathogens to replicate more efficiently while also causing the reptile additional stress and decreased healing abilities.
Veterinarians often encourage pet parents to keep their sick reptiles on the higher end of their temperature range during healing. Pet parents and veterinarians should work together to determine any changes required in the pet’s diet and environment.
Proper husbandry cannot be stressed enough for reptile species successful recovery and long-term survival. While there is no proven or recommended home remedy to treat upper respiratory infections in reptiles, proper husbandry can prevent most respiratory infections.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Respiratory Infections in Reptiles
Veterinarians will require a thorough history, including a detailed list of the reptile’s husbandry which may aid in the diagnosis. Veterinarians may suspect respiratory infections based on the physical exam alone, specifically nasal and oral discharge and louder breathing noises.
Typically, the next diagnostic step to diagnose respiratory illness involves radiographs (X-rays.) Veterinarians use radiographs to examine the inside of the body and look for changes consistent with fluid, masses, inflammation, or other signs of infection within the lung tissues.
Routine blood work (complete blood count and blood chemistry) and a fecal sample evaluation are also beneficial in determining other underlying conditions that may complicate a pet’s recovery. Respiratory pathogen testing, such as PCR testing, can identify the DNA of specific pathogens.
Some reptiles require sedation to safely obtain routine diagnostics, which can be dangerous in a critically ill patient. If it is safe for the reptile, most veterinarians will attempt to obtain blood work and radiographs without sedation. However, if the pet becomes too stressed for these procedures, mild sedatives or complete anesthesia may be the best option.
While routine testing does not always require sedation, other diagnostics require deep levels of sedation and anesthesia. Such diagnostics include lung washes, which involve intubating the pet and flushing the lungs with sterile saline. During this process, veterinarians collect samples deep within the respiratory tract for analysis, including cytology and culture. PCR testing may be utilized from these samples, as well.
To obtain a diagnosis in more complicated cases, veterinarians can use advanced imaging, such as CT, MRI, TEM, and bronchoscopy. These procedures require sedation and anesthesia.
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FAQ
What to do if a lizard has a respiratory infection?
Prepare a shallow bath consisting of 1/2 water and 1/2 electrolyte solution. Soak your dragon for about 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Reptiles can absorb the electrolytes and fluids through their vents (where droppings pass out), so make the water deep enough to cover the vent. Be sure to supervise closely.
How do I know if my beardie has a respiratory infection?
- Nasal discharge.
- Oral redness.
- Increased respiratory rate.
- Increased respiratory effort.
- Uneven floating/swimming (aquatic species)
- Decreased appetite.
- Wheezing.
- Weight loss.
Can a tortoise respiratory infection go away on its own?
This is a condition that requires treatment and will not go away on its own. If symptoms are evident, please make an appointment with a veterinarian familiar with tortoise care.