sneezing

[beanersmysav]

These past couple of days my Sav has sneezed once or twice. I've heard him do it before but it's been awhile. I was wondering if that could just be from him kicking around the dirt so much or what. Ever since i moved him into a bigger tank and used dirt he's been doing it. But when i had him in his other tank and first put the dirt in he wasnt sneezing.

[reptiguy123]

I believe "sneezing" is a sign of respitory infection, but correct me if I'm wrong.


See a vet.

[beanersmysav]

God I hope not, but every place I've looked has said the signs of respritory infection are runny nose, labored breathing, swollen eyes. Which he has none of and his sneezing isn't very frequent. Still may be an issue to consult the vet about.

[Rikki]

I as well think that this is the issue with him. You should really consult a vet before this gets out of hand......

[mbayless]

Hi,
As Reptiguy said it is usually a sign of respiratory infection - and if it has the sniffles, its time to go to the vet and get meds... turn the heat up, sure it has clean water and still feeding...

good luck,
markb

[crocdoc]

if your sav has only sneezed once or twice in the past two days, it's probably not a respiratory infection.

Aside from the occasional sneeze, monitors will clear their nostrils to get rid of salt excreted by their salt glands (which are in their nasal passages). This is especially true if the monitor is a bit on the dry side, as they reabsorb fluids out of their gut before defecating and have to get rid of the excess salt in their system this creates.

A respiratory infection would show up as fluid coming out of the nostrils or constantly wet nostrils (not just an occasional sneeze, but bubbling when it breathes), sometimes wheezing as it breathes and in extreme cases breathing with its mouth open because the nasal passages are blocked with fluids

[beanersmysav]

thank you croc doc thats what ive been thinking as well from everything ive read on respritory infections in monitors. He eats like the pig he always has (1 adult mouse, 2 superworms, 5 crickets today), he's digging more now than ever (because he has the chance) he's active, and he's plenty warm i use 24 hr red lights on him because it tends to get cold here at night his temp never drops much.

As far as his nose and mouth bubbling definatly not. i even pressed on his throat because i read somewhere if you do this it'd immediatly bubble from the mouth and nose, and ive done it everytime ive held him in the past couple of days to make sure of it.

My vet is almost an hour and a half away from me I'd like to avoid the trip if possible but I'd rather make the trip to find out he's fine, but still none of the signs but sneezing are there and the sneezes are so few and far between (trust me ive been monitoring him since ive suspected such a problem - spent all day with him today - caught 1 sneeze and his usual afternoon nap - he's now laid in his burrow under his hide log)

Also not sure if his shedding has anything to do with his sneezing he just managed to shed his head/face today, and his coat is nice and shiny, good as its ever been.

still would like to hear more input on the subject, and im still debating the vet because id hate to think i could hurt my best bud because i took to long contemplating the trip to the vet. Will continue watching him over the next couple of days as closely as I have been. Thanks to all of you for your help and concern.

[mbayless]

Hi DK,
Sounds like me here!:
A respiratory infection would show up as fluid coming out of the nostrils or constantly wet nostrils (not just an occasional sneeze, but bubbling when it breathes), sometimes wheezing as it breathes and in extreme cases breathing with its mouth open because the nasal passages are blocked with fluids....

Unlike Pacific Varanus, V. exanthematicus do not discharge salt and other minerals as V. indicus and similar aquatic species do. However they do tear up when dust and other irritants i.e. from digging and alike occur...I always say, 'better to play it safe than sorry' -
an ounce (or gram) of prevention is better than a pound (or kilogram) of cure!

cheers,
markb

[Rikki]

The best thing for both of you to do is to take your animals to the vet, its only best for them.

[crocdoc]

Both of whom? Somehow, I don't think a vet could cure Mark's illness, but he may not have tried that route before and one never knows! Mark? LOL.

Mark, the salt secretion I was talking about was in non-aquatic monitors, like my varius. Reptiles living in even a partially dry environment must secrete excess salt accumulated through reabsorbing fluids from their gut. I would be surprised if exanthematicus didn't have the same salt glands and secretions as my varius.

Rikki, although I do think vet visits are a good idea for monitors suspected of being sick, the stress to the animal induced by removing it from its enclosure and transporting it to and from the vet must also be considered.

[Jeff_Favelle]

A vet visit is NOT always the best "first" treatment. Monitors are NOT like other animals. Like crocdoc has said..........

[beanersmysav]

Yea i totally agree, I brought my Sav once to get rid of his parasite problem when i first got him (pet stores issue definatly not mine / 2 yrs since he's had the problem) anyways needless to say he doesn't like the ride one bit, and he's been extremely happy wouldn't want to change that any.

[mbayless]

Hi,
Yes, I retract my comment about taking it to the vet, wait and see. If you see fluid in nares or mouth, take it in.

DK, I did not go to a vet, but consulted one about my RDS disease, and MD's for Infectious Diseases (looking for Q-fever and other maladies), with no further clues....

I did not know V.varius also secretes salt! I had/have never seen my V. exanthematicus secrete salt, but have seen them blow their nose once or twice (usually heard it rather than saw it)...

cheers,
markb

[beanersmysav]

Yea definatly will. Does anyone know of a vet closer to area code 12117 than in Saratoga

[Rikki]

I did a search and found nothing, sorry :( But hey, there worth the drive.

[beanersmysav]

Definatly Agree'd