Listnessess lizard after being boarded?

Question

We went on vacation for 5 days & we boarded our Chinese Water Dragon at a Pet Shop. Our lizard had mites & the reptile specialist got rid of it. But ever since we got our lizard back he's been acting listnessess & breathing heavy now & then- he just lays around or sits in his water tub all day. He was perky before we boarded him. He does eat though.

I don't understand, when we boarded him he was acting normal, a few days after having him back home & he's listnessess? My lizard hates to be handled, and as I was told he got handled alot...is he stressed? What are your thoughts please?

Answer 1

Brumation, is probably whats happening. Take a quick look around to see what you can find out about it and see if your lizard does the same.

My Lizard Just Entered Brumation Yesterday.

Answer 2

Okay...so the WD had mites when you boarded it at a pet shop, and the pet shop treated it for mites?  Is this correct?

I so would so NEVER let a PET shop treat an animal of mine!  I mean... do they have licensed vets on hand?  I would never board my reptiles anywhere but with a vet.  I'm lacking all the fact, perhaps?

I would find out immediately what they treated the mites with, how often it was used, and the temperature the animal was kept at during treatment.  The heavy breathing is not a good thing, either.

I'm wondering if it's been poisoned, or it's an allergic reaction of some sort.  I don't THINK it could get a respiratory infection in just a week, unless another sick animal was there, too.

Since your animal was in stress from the boarding and handling, that would have played havoc with its immune system.

I'd suggest cranking up his habitat temperature a couple of degrees, to help him kick in his immune defenses until you can get him help.

If it was me - I'd be calling the vet and making an appt. asap.  Reptiles are very slow to show signs of sickness and by the time they are exhibiting symptoms, it's usually pretty progressed.  They also recover/heal slowly, so time is an important factor for treatment.

If you don’t already know of a qualified exotics/reptile vet in your area, google: “Herpetological Society” -or-

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/  for the one closest to you.

I hope it's nothing serious, and he's better soon.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.