Open-Mouth Breathing in Reptiles: A Sign of Respiratory Disease

Is your bearded dragon or snake always hanging around with its mouth wide open? While this may seem like a cute character trait, it can actually be a sign of a breathing problem in reptiles. Here’s what the team at South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital wants reptile parents to know about this potential reptile vet emergency.

What Open-Mouth Breathing Can Mean

For reptiles, breathing should generally happen through the nostrils, not the mouth. If your pet is thermoregulating, however, you may notice moments of wide-mouthed gaping. But this should be (very) temporary. 

If your bearded dragon or corn snake spends a lot of time with his mouth open, you might have a problem on your hands. Especially if this behavior is accompanied by other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or discharge from the little fellow’s nose or eyes.

The same goes for snakes. Open-mouth breathing in snakes is potentially even more concerning than in lizards, because snakes rely on airflow through one functional lung. Lizards, on the other hand, have two functional lungs.

The most minor inflammation, mucus buildup, or obstruction can significantly impact your slithery friend’s ability to breathe, and an open mouth is the first sign that something is wrong. 

When Does Open-Mouth Breathing Become a Reptile Vet Emergency?

Respiratory infections in reptiles don’t tend to resolve themselves. Without treatment, the infection can turn into pneumonia or another, system-wide illness in your scaly pet. Worse, severe infections in reptiles can rapidly turn into life-threatening situations. 

Because of this, you should seek veterinary treatment immediately if your reptile is showing signs of respiratory distress, like open-mouthed breathing. If you notice other signs, like mucus production or gasping for air, your reptile needs to be seen by an exotic animal veterinarian right away. 

Exotic pet vets are more experienced in caring for scaly pets than general veterinarians. They can perform physical examinations, imaging, and laboratory tests to diagnose the underlying issues in your pet. Then, they can offer reptile-specific treatment to help your scaly companion feel better quickly.

The experienced exotic pet veterinary team at South Texas Avian and Exotic Hospital can help treat everything from bearded dragon respiratory infections to pneumonia in snakes. We’re open every weekday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and you can call us with questions about urgent care for your reptile. 

Schedule an appointment today by calling (817) 953-8560.