Bearded dragon breathing problems

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a 18 month old male beardy and last week had to seperate him from his mate due to a drop in his weight. Later that day I noticed both his nostrils were blocked with what seemed to be dead skin so I removed it. He hasn't lost his appetite, his stool are normal and he still seems somewhat energetic despite him continually loosing weight. Just now when I turned off his day light I noticed him gasping for air! I have seen him vent before and it was not a frequent as this. He almost seems to stop breathing after every gasp, he is also a little blue in the mouth and I'm afraid he's not getting any oxygen! What can I do????????????

ANSWER: Hello Melody,

Can you post a picture of him, please?  If his nostrils had skin in them, then it was a shed.  Are you sure that his face is not shedding?  
Don't turn off his basking light, he needs that to stay warm during the day.  Are you using a UVB light as well?  If so, what type & brand are you using?
What are the temps in the tank?
That is a good thing you separated the male & female.  It is too stressful to house a male & female together.  He will breed her to death, literally.  It will stress him too much, & you will end up with a sick female.  It really is not recommended to breed them until they are 2 years old, ideally.
It is breeding season, so that is why he is active.  
Is the outside of the mouth area blue or the inside of it?  The skin does turn a strange color prior to shedding.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for getting back to me! We took him to our vet the following day to find he had a mild chest infection. It has been raining lots here and with the humidity going up and down it was the cause of his breathing problem! Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, it is greatly appreciated!

Answer
Hello Melody,

Yes, the humidity will affect them.  It increases chances of respiratory infection.  What are the temps in the tank?  Make sure they are optimal, at least 105 at the basking.  
What type of thermometer are you using to measure the temps?  A stick on thermometer, a digital probe or a temp gun?  
Until he feels better, try to keep him a little warmer at night, around 75-80 to help boost his immune system a little bit.  
Also, I think you should keep them separate though, for the long run it would be better for them both.  
I am glad you took him in to see the vet.  Respiratory infections are somewhat common in bearded dragons.
Try to keep the humidity under 40%.  

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie