Redfoot breathing problems

[2CentNapkins]

Hey everyone. For the last few days my 10 month old redfoot has been making weird little noises and yesterday he had a bubbly nose and at one point he was breathing loud. He keeps opening his mouth and everything so I’m assuming it’s a respiratory issue. I called the vet this morning but they couldn’t see him today so I’m taking him up there in the morning. He seemed to be doing somewhat okay today, but then I got home tonight and he seems to be struggling to breathe or something. Please help me. I’m trying to stay calm but it’s getting really hard at this point. I’ve attached a video of how he’s breathing. His enclosure is around 83-85 degrees and humidity is at 75%. He has a UV light that is on a timer for 12 on/12 off and a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat. Here’s a video I took of him about an hour ago.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! Sorry to hear this!

Don’t suppose I could ask a few questions regarding his care to try and help figure out whats happening

What kind of monitoring do you have measuring your temperature and humidity?
Is it just orchid bark you’re using as substrate? Is he in a closed chamber?
75 is a little low humidity wise for a baby red foot, how do you maintain humidity? Do you use a humidifier?
What kind of uv bulb is it you have? Packing photos are good if you have any!
How often is he soaked?

A photo of the full set up would be great!

 

[mojo_1]

Hey everyone. For the last few days my 10 month old redfoot has been making weird little noises and yesterday he had a bubbly nose and at one point he was breathing loud. He keeps opening his mouth and everything so I’m assuming it’s a respiratory issue. I called the vet this morning but they couldn’t see him today so I’m taking him up there in the morning. He seemed to be doing somewhat okay today, but then I got home tonight and he seems to be struggling to breathe or something. Please help me. I’m trying to stay calm but it’s getting really hard at this point. I’ve attached a video of how he’s breathing. His enclosure is around 83-85 degrees and humidity is at 75%. He has a UV light that is on a timer for 12 on/12 off and a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat. Here’s a video I took of him about an hour ago.

Raise that humidity Mid to high 80's. You're little guy has a respiratory infection. Also you can bring the temperature up a degree or two. Give him warm soaks. Uv only needs to be on from noon to 4pm. Also do these things right now.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Raise that humidity Mid to high 80's. You're little guy has a respiratory infection. Also you can bring the temperature up a degree or two. Give him warm soaks. Uv only needs to be on from noon to 4pm. Also do these things right now.

Yeah I agree there’s definitely something respiratory, with temperatures sounding in a decent range I’m curious what’s caused it.
But yeah as first port of call I’d raise a few degrees

 

[mojo_1]

Yeah I agree there’s definitely something respiratory, with temperatures sounding in a decent range I’m curious what’s caused it.
But yeah as first port of call I’d raise a few degrees

Low humidity, stress. Hopefully a humidifier is not involved.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Low humidity, stress. Hopefully a humidifier is not involved.

Yeah included that in my questions because I’m wondering if that’s a possible contributing factor

 

[2CentNapkins]

His humidity usually ranges from 75-95%, just at this current moment it’s at 75. However, inside his hideout it’s currently 82% humidity and 81 degrees. I’ve used only repti-substrate since the day I got him 9 months ago. He’s in enclosed chamber and I usually pour warm water along the outer edge and corners to keep the humidity good. I also spray the fake plants and stuff that’s in there with water so it will help with the humidity. He’s in a 50 gallon enclosure (3’x1.5’x1.5’). I use a zoo-med thermostat set at 85 with a 75w ceramic heat bulb. I have 4 thermometers and hygrometers throughout his enclosure, including in his hideout. They are all different ones. I have a plain simple digital one that can be purchased at Home Depot, mini digital ones that can usually be bought in a 2 pack on Amazon, and a Govee smart thermometer/hygrometer. This is the UV bulb I use -> LUCKY HERP 2 Pack T5 UVB 10.0 Reptile Light 8W, UVA UVB Fluorescent Lamp Tube, UVB Lighting Bulb
Sorry yall, I’m a nervous wreck right now so my response is all over the place. I’ll upload pics of his enclosure in a sec.

 

[2CentNapkins]

Yeah included that in my questions because I’m wondering if that’s a possible contributing factor

Yeah I don’t use a humidifier.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

His humidity usually ranges from 75-95%, just at this current moment it’s at 75. However, inside his hideout it’s currently 82% humidity and 81 degrees. I’ve used only repti-substrate since the day I got him 9 months ago. He’s in enclosed chamber and I usually pour warm water along the outer edge and corners to keep the humidity good. I also spray the fake plants and stuff that’s in there with water so it will help with the humidity. He’s in a 50 gallon enclosure (3’x1.5’x1.5’). I use a zoo-med thermostat set at 85 with a 75w ceramic heat bulb. I have 4 thermometers and hygrometers throughout his enclosure, including in his hideout. They are all different ones. I have a plain simple digital one that can be purchased at Home Depot, mini digital ones that can usually be bought in a 2 pack on Amazon, and a Govee smart thermometer/hygrometer. This is the UV bulb I use -> LUCKY HERP 2 Pack T5 UVB 10.0 Reptile Light 8W, UVA UVB Fluorescent Lamp Tube, UVB Lighting Bulb
Sorry yall, I’m a nervous wreck right now so my response is all over the place. I’ll upload pics of his enclosure in a sec.

All sounds pretty good to me! I’m hoping a few weeks slightly warmer will help, it’s the best way to help them fight something respiratory

 

[2CentNapkins]

This is the best pics I could get of his enclosure right now.

 

[mojo_1]

This is the best pics I could get of his enclosure right now.

Make sure all your temperature and humidity sensors are at top of tortoise shell height.

 

[2CentNapkins]

I also forgot to add that he’s gets soaked daily for about 15 mins. Yesterday he got soaked 3 times for about 15 mins each time. Today he was soaked once for 15 mins.

 

[mojo_1]

I also forgot to add that he’s gets soaked daily for about 15 mins. Yesterday he got soaked 3 times for about 15 mins each time. Today he was soaked once for 15 mins.

Maybe up it to 30 min and make sure the water is warm at all time's. And when you go to the vet do not let them give your tort a vitamin shot. Most of them will try and push a vitamin A shot as a miracle fix.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Maybe up it to 30 min and make sure the water is warm at all time's. And when you go to the vet do not let them give your tort a vitamin shot. Most of them will try and push a vitamin A shot as a miracle fix.

Yep second this! No vitamin shots and I wouldn’t use baytril as a first if they suggest it, I’d try fortaz but make sure they calculate the dosage