Chinese Water dragon looking a bit off:

[pix101]

I have a 2 - 3 month old Water dragon that isn't looking too healthy...

Could someone please tell me what the cause could be for the following symptoms and what I could do to remedy the problem:

* He gapes from time to time
* Doesn't close his mouth completely
* Swollen tongue

I know these symptoms could be due to over heating, but the temperature is below 30 degrees so it is definitely not related to temp. The cool side is 26 and the warm side 29.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[neko]

Is this the same one that's been sick before?

[neko]

Oh.. Do'h. Sorry.. That was a basilisk.

Just ignore me...

[pix101]

Lol! That's right... The basilisk is still hanging in there...

The basilisk showed similar symptoms, and it lead to something hectic!!! I managed to hand-nurse him back to reasonable health, but he is still not feeding himself, it's been months...

I'm so scared this little guy is heading in the same direction!

[BWSmith]

Are you providing Vitamin and Calcium supplements?

[neko]

Ok. Either my googling skills need help, or there's no info on sick dragons on the net.

Are you sure he hasn't damaged his mouth in some way, and is now sitting with an infection? That could be why the mouth is open as well....
I'm just taking a stab in the dark here.

[pix101]

Thanks for the replies Pinky and the brain, ag I mean BWSmith:

BWSmith: I do supply Calcium and Vitamins every second to third day!

Pinky: Your stab is plausible! It would seem as if Dragons have a problem with their snouts from running up and down their enclosures trying to get out! It is for this reason that I keep him in a fish tank for now, but it would appear as if he is starting to hurt his snout. It is turning a bit white on the tip, and it could very well be that it is turning into an infection!!!

Any advice of how I can treat this possible infection?

[Bushbaby]

I would suggest taking it to a good reptile vet. Up and till you get an appointment, possibly try putting some Bactroban on the snout. Keep it clean and dry as well.

[pix101]

Thanks Bushbaby!

Where can I get "Bactroban"?

[Bushbaby]

Any pharmacy should sell it. Ask if they have Polysporin. That stuff is magic. If they don't have, get bactroban.

[pix101]

Se'weet! On my way to the pharm now!!!

[BWSmith]

Remember that you can overdose him on Vitamins. I had a Frilled Dragon years ago that got Vit A toxicity and his eyes swoll shut.

Whith flightly lizards such as that, it is best to black out 3 sides of the terrarium. I take the terrarium outside and spraypaint the outside of 3 sides black. The animal has no contact witht he paint, it looks sharp, and less "exits" that he can see.