HELP- Crocodile death roll

[slavetoIzzie]

Last night, after his lights out, Putz suddenly started to violently flip over onto his back. He did this 6-7 times, then seemed to be alright. Thought it was just a bad dream or something. About 5 minutes later, he started again. When I picked him up, he was rigid and audibly panting, his heart beating fast. He slowly relaxed and seemed to return to normal after about a half hour of holding him. I then returned him to his tank but got up several times to check on him. This morning, all seems fine. He's his usual snarky, "feedmenow" self.

Could he have had a seizure or something similar? Nothing in his setup has changed. He gets calcium dust on his supers every other day. The only real change is he's eaten several grasshoppers while outside. Could a large 'hopper cause this?

Please help, I can't lose Putzy. Not so soon after Izzy passing away!

 

[spyder79]

are these wild grasshoppers that he is catching while outside? There is a chance that perhaps one of them had gotten into a chemical of some kind that he had a reaction to, not to mention the fertilizers, pesticides, and bacteria that wild insects are subject to everyday. A dragon flipping onto its back is not natural so there is deffinately something going on here. It diffinately sounds like a seizure of some kind. If it happens again than you need to get a vet appointment for some blood work. Hopefully it is a one time thing and his system has passed whatever it was. Make certain you dont let him eat wild grasshoppers anymore though.
I have heard (now this is just from talking to folks i cant find documented proof) that the juice that grasshoppers produce when they are agitated contains chemicals that can be bad for small animals as well.

 

[slavetoIzzie]

Thanks, Spyder79. Putzy seemed to be sleepier than usual today but otherwise fine. Hopefully it won't happen again, it was pretty scary seeing him thrashing around.

 

[TheDragonMom]

There is a real possibility that wild crickets that were eaten were exposed to chemicals, and this could cause the flipping. There are a couple of other possibilities. Ear infection/upperrespitoryinfection or neurological problems caused by disease. Does he have head tilt? does he sit for long periods with his head tilted way right or way left? does he turn circles repeatedly? These are signs of inner ear or uri, but in RARE cases can be signs of neurological problems. The flipping is not a good thing, the animals sense of balance is out of wack or a possible seizure from chemicals. I hope that he is doing better, if not get him to a good vet. Ear infections are a somewhat common ailment and can be treated fairly easily. Good luck to you and I hope that he improves with not further episodes!