Is Jimbo sick?

[Jimbo924]

Hello, I'm little concerned about my Jimbo. Almost a month ago he slowed down on his eating. We went from about 60 insect a day (bsf and roaches) to maybe 10-15 every other day. Sometimes he will eat every day but it's not consistent. And of course his poop has slowed down also to to every 3 days. It seems to be normal. About 2 weeks ago I did change his lighting to the reptisun 10.0 tub from the compact one. Which he has had sense dec., when we receive him. He mostly stays in his hammock under his basking light. I do get him out every day and he doesn't move around much and I have notice that he is not using one of his back legs very much. That started about a week ago. We want eat any greens. He has also lost some weight. Should I take him to the vet to get him looked out or wait it out?

 

[KarrieRee]

Welcome to the forum-- please post pics of your tank and lighting-- is the Reptisun 10.0 a T 5 or a T 8? Where is it sitting on the tank --- ? inside or on the top of mesh screen? What kind of screen do you have on the top of the tank it is a fine mesh or wide hole screen? What are your basking temps running? And how are you getting those temps? Infrared heat gun or digital thermometer or a dial ? The lighting in your tank plays a huge role in the eating and digesting of food --- and hes not using one of his back legs? Has he fallen recently ?
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

 

[Jimbo924]

It is the t8. The mesh on top has the bigger mesh. The temps in the basking spot are 105 and the cool side is 80. I have a digital thermometer with prob. Um as fare as a fall, he jumped off his hammock down on the rock and kinda stay on the floor for a min. I got him up. He did run around after that so I dont know if that hurt him. I got him out today and he does seem to use it alittle more.

 

[KarrieRee]

I wonder if he sprained it when he fell -- they tend to jump alot so I would maybe move the hammock down some -- how far away is he from his UVB -- ? he can be 6-8 inches from it
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

He might have. At the corner of his hammock he can get within 5in. I would bring his hammock down but I have a hard time keeping his basking spot hot enough. Here are some pics of him

 

[Jimbo924]

Hes 15in about 6mons maybe little older.

 

[KarrieRee]

What watt bulb do you have for basking?
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

The couple of mons that he had the compack bulb for uvb, whould that make him sick? It was sitting on top of the mesh lid. Which was from dec till 2 weeks ago. It came with the tank that the pet store told us to get. Wish I would have dont more research on everything before I bought him.

 

[Jimbo924]

It's a 100w reptile basking light

 

[KarrieRee]

You caught it early-- so that is good - he should rebound but I am more concerned w/ him jumping and really hurting himself-- thats why I asked about the wattage of basking bulb you can always get a higher bulb and lower that hammock or find something else for him to sit on for basking -- ok ummm 100 watt --- what are his temps running w / that 100 watt at that range hes at now?
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

It's at 105 right now. Sometimes it dose get hotter so I do move it down a little. He seems to stay in that hammock and not move around much. Maybe it is to high. Cant you use a cheaper bulb besides a reptile one u buy at the pet store?

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes and you can ask AHBD or Brandon might know of some types or Cooperdragon--- they know more about those bulbs than I -- I use the Exo Terro 100 watt intense bulb--
Karrie

 

[Jimbo924]

Ok thank you. So do you think I should just give him some time before I take him to the vet?

 

[KarrieRee]

I am sure he likes it warm --- they usually do --- you can always put something in there like a stuffed animal or blanket for him to land on if he decides hes gonna jump he will land on that instead of the hard tile-- you can PM any of those people I mentioned and ask them about other basking bulbs besides the one from the Pet Stores-- and I dont think he needs to go to the vet unless he really starts favoring that leg again -- if he has started to use it again he probably sprained it -- just keep an eye on him and go from there
Karrie