General Care Discussion :: is this normal?

[snoozii]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'd like to know if this is normal of my res. I just bought him to the vet a few days ago because he was swimming lopsided. The vet didn't even double check but hopefully he knows what he was doing but I didn't get a chance to ask him this. I have a few shots of Baytril that I'm supposed to put underneath his arm into his lungs I'm supposing. I know he comes up to breathe sometimes every once in a while but it seems weird when his throat gets enlarged like that whenever he comes up for a breath or 2, but for all I know it might be normal. Any response would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[untsmurf]

Well when he puffs his throat up like that it's normal. That's how they float. If you watch carefully, you'll also see them do that on land.

[snoozii]

Thanks for your quick response (: although it looks as if it's trying so hard to breathe.. I'm just glad that this is normal for them.

[untsmurf]

Does it look like it's hard for him to breathe on land as well? Because if he is struggling in the water, it might just be him struggling to master his swimming/floating skills. Mikey took a while to stop being wobbly. They're just awkward little things at times. But definitely pay attention and watch for an signs of RI's

[snoozii]

It seems like he struggles sometimes but he doesn't do that with his throat when he's on land. & he does have RI, which is why I have the shots.

[untsmurf]

Well if he does have an RI, then that is why he's lopsided.

[snoozii]

I know he's lopsided because he has RI but my concern is whether the puffy throat is an affect of the RI or it's just how they float like you stated before.

[untsmurf]

It's normal.

[snoozii]

Okay (: thanks a bunch for letting me know&for replying back each time!

[untsmurf]

No problemo. Good luck with the RI, hopefully the little guy gets better soon.