Reddish urate..?

[chumon]

So Scooter's poop today had a bit of reddish tone to the urate

I had to remove his tree recently because he started eating the leaves off it, which are plastic. Since then hes been pooping daily and seems fine otherwise....but today this was his poop and I'm worried if it might be impaction or parasites. Any thoughts?

Thank you....I feel bad for asking so many questions but I just get so nervous for him. <3

 

[KarrieRee]

If he was impacted he would not be pooping- the red could be something you fed him -- like red peppers etc........... the leaves of the plastic were they red?
Karrie

 

[chumon]

If he was impacted he would not be pooping- the red could be something you fed him -- like red peppers etc........... the leaves of the plastic were they red?
Karrie

No they were green, the only thing red hes gotten to my knowledge is straw berry but I've never seen him interested in it, but I mean he might have eaten some. I'm just worried cause I've never seen it red before. I keep reading so many things about everything I always go here to find out for sure cause I trust you guys more than anyone tbh haha

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

Any recent changes to the diet?

Red/orange urates are 9 times out of 10 caused by over supplementation or from what you are feeding your insects.

What are you feeding your insects and what does your supplement schedule look like?

-Brandon

 

[chumon]

Hi there,

Any recent changes to the diet?

Red/orange urates are 9 times out of 10 caused by over supplementation or from what you are feeding your insects.

What are you feeding your insects and what does your supplement schedule look like?

-Brandon

I feed him crickets who are dusted with calcium d3 and just calcium interchanged every other day over the week and then vitamin spray on the weekend. Hes between 5 and 8 months I think based on his size and how long I've had him. I'm not sure if i should limit his supplements at this point or not. I also give him BSF larva which I dont dust. Do you think hes getting too much calcium? Should I only use the one with D3? Should I give him the vitamin spray more often?

All this is based on what I researched for a juvenile but I dont know when to change his diet and supplements over to more a more adult schedule.

I give him the occasional wax worm and meal worm for a treat but that's the only other thing he gets meat wise.

 

[Claudiusx]

What are you feeding the crickets?

-Brandon

 

[chumon]

What are you feeding the crickets?

-Brandon

The flickers diet, should I give them more vegetables maybe?

 

[Claudiusx]

Thats what is most likely causing the discolored urates. That cricket diet stuff always does that. Mainly the cubes, but the powder does too.

Switch out to just potatoes and carrots for a week and see if that remedies it. If not, you might want to cut back a bit on your supplementation.

-Brandon

 

[chumon]

Thats what is most likely causing the discolored urates. That cricket diet stuff always does that. Mainly the cubes, but the powder does too.

Switch out to just potatoes and carrots for a week and see if that remedies it. If not, you might want to cut back a bit on your supplementation.

-Brandon

Okay, thank you. This is the first time I've noticed it so I'll definitely keep and eye out and try the diet switch.

 

[chumon]

So far today he hasnt pooped...and hadls been acting kinda sluggish and not as hungry as usual. I'm kinda worried now, but I'll see if he poops tomorrow...

Also hlas a side note , how do you know if they are closing their eyes while basking just to rest and relax or if the uvb light is too close? Is there a sort of range that's generally considered too close?

Thanks again.

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes what are you using for UVB? Brand and bulb - coil or tube?
Karrie

 

[chumon]

Yes what are you using for UVB? Brand and bulb - coil or tube?
Karrie

I lowered his hammock a little so hes not quite so close, but I'm using a reptisun t8 tube light.

 

[KarrieRee]

It's inside the tank? Distance should be 8-10 inches w/.NO plastic cover over the bulb -- it needs to be exposed
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

It's inside the tank? Distance should be 8-10 inches w/.NO plastic cover over the bulb -- it needs to be exposed
Karrie

6-8 inches for the t8 unobstructed with a reflector fixture.

-Brandon

 

[chumon]

Okay so tomorrow I'm gonna try to afix it inside the tank. I'm cleaning out his whole tank. So it shouldnt be closer than 6 inches?

Edit from Thursday the 11th:

Also he still hasn't pooped since tuesday. I'm gonna keep an eye out for it today and maybe try a bath. He hasnt had one yet though so I'm not sure if he will cooperate as hes still pretty skittish about being handled. I still plan on cleaning his cage today and trying to afix his uvb light inside the tank. Not sure how he will like going through both that and the bath...so I might hold off on the bath until if he doesnt poop again today. Not sure...