Strange behavior

[mamameg]

Hello All-

This evening I noticed my young (about 10 months old) redfoot actually strange. She kept opening her mouth like she was chewing, but nowhere near her food. I decided to take her out to examine her and she continued to open her mouth almost hissing at me (this is not typical behavior of hers). I decided to soak her for a few. Typically she "swims" a bit and takes the time to go to the bathroom, but this time she held her head up high as if she was trying to breathe! I put her back in her habitat and watched her eat it a bit. She did continue to do the mouth/chewing motion even after she was finished eating. She also bit at her foreleg to get it into her shell. I have never, ever seen her act this way.

Perhaps I am a tad bit paranoid because I am leaving town in a few days, but thought i'd seek the advice of the community.

Her habitat is consistently kept at 75-90% humidity and her temperatures range from 80-85 degrees with a UVB of 5%. Also goes outside a few times a week. She has a diverse diet of greens, veggies, and fruits. She eats eggs or worms 1x per week.


Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[MysticCaribou]

Hello All-

This evening I noticed my young (about 10 months old) redfoot actually strange. She kept opening her mouth like she was chewing, but nowhere near her food. I decided to take her out to examine her and she continued to open her mouth almost hissing at me (this is not typical behavior of hers). I decided to soak her for a few. Typically she "swims" a bit and takes the time to go to the bathroom, but this time she held her head up high as if she was trying to breathe! I put her back in her habitat and watched her eat it a bit. She did continue to do the mouth/chewing motion even after she was finished eating. She also bit at her foreleg to get it into her shell. I have never, ever seen her act this way.

Perhaps I am a tad bit paranoid because I am leaving town in a few days, but thought i'd seek the advice of the community.

Her habitat is consistently kept at 75-90% humidity and her temperatures range from 80-85 degrees with a UVB of 5%. Also goes outside a few times a week. She has a diverse diet of greens, veggies, and fruits. She eats eggs or worms 1x per week.


Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

She's struggling to breath. Get her to a vet as soon as possible.

 

[mamameg]

@MysticCaribou any idea what could be causing this?

 

[wellington]

She might have something caught in her mouth or throat. See if you can look in and see anything.

 

[mamameg]

@wellington I can't see anything. Her nostrils are small but also look clear. Her legs also seemed limp. This is a complete turn around from her 8:00 am soak! She was just fine!
I expressed my concern to my husband and he said he saw her drinking in her shallow dish earlier in the day. Will call the vet in the am. ☹️ Any other thoughts/ideas are welcomed.

 

[mamameg]

it was really hard getting a picture of it.

 

[MysticCaribou]

@MysticCaribou any idea what could be causing this?

Possibly she ingested some of her bedding. But when their most is open like that, it's usually a sign of struggling to breath. She needs to be seen by a qualified vet. This is serious when it gets to that point.

 

[mamameg]

@MysticCaribou her bizarre breathing has stopped. Back to normal eating and drinking/bathing. She has continued claw at her head while she was soaking this morning. Upon closer inspection I discovered small transparent bugs that I think are snow mites. From what I have read, they are harmless and supposedly do not bother torts, but I'm wondering if they are irritating her? Changing her substrate when I get home in fear of more eggs (although there are pill bugs in there!). Do you suggest I get rid of the coconut shredding? Or at least maybe where she eats? Thanks for your input!