Izzy's FINALLY in brumation

[zye1984]

At least I think so! I think I kept her from doing so for a year. She decided to hide under the carpet in the enclosure now and hasn't moved for 3-4 days. She doesn't seem to sleep for the most part, she just stays still and looks around

 

[diamc]

So Izzy had been acting like she was brumating for about a year? Since the seasons have changed, it would be a good idea to check the basking surface temp to make sure it is within the 100 or so range. Are you using a Repti-Sun 10.0 strip fluorescent tube or a mercury vapor bulb?

If she had anything to eat recently and hasn't pooped, it would be a good idea to bathe her to see if she can get cleaned out as it's not good for them to have food left in their stomachs as it can rot there making them very sick.

Does she nap in that area or just laying there with her eyes open?

 

[zye1984]

She's been hiding away from the heat for a looong while, just look at my other posts I made over time if you can. I just er...wouldn't leave her alone is all.

All the lights and such are fine. =]. Though I have turned down the heat lamp to have her rest better now.

She does sleep, but generally during the day she has her eyes open. I guess I can up the heat again and see what happens. She's really hard to read. She doesn't get any more mad when I pick her up than usual. (Makes a little complainy noise and is fine after)

 

[diamc]

All caught up, I've read all of your posts. Poor girl has had a lot going on, must have been difficult for you seeing her go through so much especially the trichamonas as well as having to force that horible tasting antibiotic. Had you given her probiotics during and 2 wks after the antibiotics were gone?

I didn't see any mention of the type of thermometer you're using unless I missed it. Could you fill us in? Are you still using a 100 watt Power Sun? If so, what is the distance of that to her when she is in her basking spot which I know it very infrequent. To be quite honest, it sounds like she doesn't care for the lighting especially since she has been hiding from them which she was doing when she wasn't feeling well either. It does sound like she was quite active for a while which was good to read, because wanting to hide or sleep during the spring and summer is concerning, shows how ill she was feeling.

Did you give up on the idea of her being gravid with infertile eggs?

 

[zye1984]

Bah, she is awake...I was wrong again...

Anyway, the trich's all gone, I believe they gave me probiotics I can't remember. The vet and I are 100% positive she doesn't have infertile eggs to lay. I actually never used the power sun from what I can remember, in any case that's not what I use now or have been for over two years.

I have a temp gun. The distance from the hear lamp and her is about 9 inches maybe which is where it is 95% of the time, I have the heat lamp on a dimmer as well to adjust temp.

 

[diamc]

It really doesn't sound like brumation to me at this point.

Yes, it is good that the trichamonas is all gone, hope it stays that way. Usually the vets don't give probiotics, it's something that you have to pick up to help restore the good gut flora that the antibiotics destroy and they help tremendously. Examples are Bene-bac gel (for birds & reptiles), Acidophiliz, soy yogurt (non-dairy), NutriBAC, AviBios. Any of those work well and even bee pollen would help to enhance her immune system functions as well as overall health maintenance. Giving a probiotic now for a few days or even the bee pollen might be something to think about.

How is her appetite now and does she still hide most of the time? What brand & type of UVB are you using now? Is that about 9" from her alongside the basking bulb?

Good that you're using a temp gun, those work well. What distance are you holding it when checking the temps?

 

[zye1984]

Yeah I figured..

It's a zoo-med 10 uvb, same distance. Her appetite is pretty solid, I just fed her greens and she gobbled them up. I'm sure she'd go after a roach or two if I had them.

I check the temps a foot or so a way if I'm able.

 

[diamc]

Is the Repti-Sun bulb a strip fluorescent tube or a compact/coil bulb? If a tube, is it a T8 or T5 (high output) bulb?

Good that she ate her greens. Do you have any feeders onhand at all?

The temp gun should be held about 2" from the area you're checking. Would be a good idea to check them that way and mainly see what the basking SURFACE temp is right on her basking log.

 

[zye1984]

It's a tube, its a 10.0 uvb.

Don't have any feeders, I'm trying to avoid that since I am currently staying with a person I met on Craig's list since I lost my place to stay recently.

The temp gun reads the same at 2" away and 20 feet away, as long as there are no obstructions. It's kinda what it's for. =p (I checked at 2" just to be sure)

 

[diamc]

That's good it's a 10.0 tube. Thought I would mention that if it's a T8, it should be mounted in the tank and within 6 to 8" from her. If it's a T5, it is strong enough to go through a screen since it's a high output bulb and should be at least 12" from her when she's in her basking spot so too close would not be good.

Sorry to hear you lost your place recently. Hopefully you can figure out a feeder to give her since all beardies, no matter how old they are, still need some protein intake otherwise they can go downhill.

Glad to hear you are using a temp gun.

How has she been acting lately?

 

[zye1984]

I dunno what "T" it is. I don't have the box anymore. But she has been fine with the same kind of bulb and recovered from the bad no calcium stint with this kind. I'll make a trip to the place I bought it to see what it is

 

[diamc]

The info would be stamped right on the side of the bulb, right on the end so you won't have to look at the place you got it. Is it almost time to get a new bulb?

 

[zye1984]

I guess it is time for a new bulb. It's the right kind, btw. The lower t, its been too long I forgot what it was exactly.

I checked what the temp should be and it was a lot lower than I thought, I had it at 108 F and what I read said adults get 95 F. The light is dimmed down so much its nearly off to get that temp!

She still is staying as far away as possible from the light, it really worries me. She's staying about 80F or less! =[ she's cold to the touch..

 

[diamc]

Good that it's a Repti-Sun fluorescent tube. Is it a T-8 size then? Will you be able to get one soon?

If the light has to be dimmed down so much, it's not bright enough for her so you should go to a lower wattage basking bulb. I have 3 adults and they prefer their basking temp to be about 102 as 95 degrees seems to be too low for some. If I had their basking temp at 95, they wouldn't even bother to bask.

How is her appetite?

 

[zye1984]

She is still not really keen on greens but she does eat them. She likes crickets some, but she goes bonkers for silk worms and daichoid roaches. (Not sure if that's how you spell that) she even ran around on the floor to get them. After that she went to "bask" under the light, under the hammock AND carpeting of the enclosure.

She was trying to get away from the light as much as possible, so that's why I dimmed it to 95..

No its a T5, the lower number. I got a new one too. It does look a little beat...I wish my calendar on my phone would do a decent job alarming me so I could use that as a reminder to get another!!