Nova has become very sick

[KarrieRee]

OK, another update.
So I was trying to keep him under the UV light, but after a minute or so, he would start crawling away and fall. So I put him on the basking log, which is farther away from the uv light, and he's just sitting there!
Whats going on now? Does he not like being under the uv? He's farther away from it now then I think he should be. Whats up with this?
Also the heat light I'm useing is a 75 watt bulb, I had a 150 watt in there but it seemed to make it too hot.
I'm trying, but....

Ok so make sure your getting surface basking temps w/ a digital probe thermometer- the falling off is concerning so I would suggest get rid of the ramps etc hes on and use dish towels so he doesnt fall of them- get them so he can get the distance to what it needs to be under the UVB- if hes moving away is he still getting UVB? If so he likes the distance from that spot-- I am going to have @CooperDragon help w/ the moving issue

 

[reptilemaster]

Ok so make sure your getting surface basking temps w/ a digital probe thermometer- the falling off is concerning so I would suggest get rid of the ramps etc hes on and use dish towels so he doesnt fall of them- get them so he can get the distance to what it needs to be under the UVB- if hes moving away is he still getting UVB? If so he likes the distance from that spot-- I am going to have @CooperDragon help w/ the moving issue

OK, I'm putting him to bed early tonight, and then tomorrow going to redo the enclosure.
He seems to have trouble crawling around, I'm pretty sure its the effects of calcium deficiency. I'm trying to correct it, but stuff is just not cooperating with me.
Also its possible that Nova is the last one I'll have, so I was hoping my childhood dream of having pet reptiles would last a bit longer.....

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is he doing today? Are you using a liquid calcium for him, in case he isn't getting enough calcium?
I agree, using soft towels, etc to help with the basking area are always helpful since he is having some
trouble falling off of his basking area.
That is odd he doesn't want to sit under the new light. It may take him a bit to get used to it. You have it
beside the basking bulb, correct?

Tracie

 

[reptilemaster]

Hello,

How is he doing today? Are you using a liquid calcium for him, in case he isn't getting enough calcium?
I agree, using soft towels, etc to help with the basking area are always helpful since he is having some
trouble falling off of his basking area.
That is odd he doesn't want to sit under the new light. It may take him a bit to get used to it. You have it
beside the basking bulb, correct?

Tracie

He seems ok. I've been putting calcium powder in water and giving to him.
He's basking now, still has dark beard.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

He still has a black beard? He sounds like he doesn't feel 100%. I'm glad he is at least basking right now.
Give the calcium, once daily, for 3-4 times weekly. Has his balance improved?
Please keep us posted on his progress.

Tracie

 

[reptilemaster]

Hello,

He still has a black beard? He sounds like he doesn't feel 100%. I'm glad he is at least basking right now.
Give the calcium, once daily, for 3-4 times weekly. Has his balance improved?
Please keep us posted on his progress.

Tracie

Hi, he still has dark beard, this is him today. At least he's holding his head up. The black stuff came back in his mouth.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi, he still has dark beard, this is him today. At least he's holding his head up. The black stuff came back in his mouth.

I see no black beard and glad his mouth cleaned up

 

[reptilemaster]

I see no black beard and glad his mouth cleaned up

Hmm, odd it seems to come and go.
Oh, no theres black stuff in his mouth again. THats what a meant.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Were you able to get his mouth cleaned out previously? What foods are you feeding him?
Sometimes insects will stain their teeth & it eventually will wear off.

Tracie

 

[reptilemaster]

Hello,

Were you able to get his mouth cleaned out previously? What foods are you feeding him?
Sometimes insects will stain their teeth & it eventually will wear off.

Tracie

I did, yeah. He gets mint, collared greens, clover, cilantro and super worms.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Ok, the superworms can "sometimes" cause staining of the teeth, but, with
eating greens & vegetation it should wear off. If it gets bad enough, then you can clean it out with a swab & diluted betadine.

Tracie

 

[reptilemaster]

Hello,

Ok, the superworms can "sometimes" cause staining of the teeth, but, with
eating greens & vegetation it should wear off. If it gets bad enough, then you can clean it out with a swab & diluted betadine.

Tracie

Ah, ok. Hmm, I'll cut back on super worms. He only gets them two or three days a week, and only five or six.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I wouldn't say you are feeding too many but that is likely the cause of it assuming it isn't mouth rot. Just be
sure he eats enough vegetation to help clear out his mouth. If he doesn't seem to mind you cleaning out his
mouth from time to time, there shouldn't be any problem.

Tracie

 

[reptilemaster]

Ah, ok. Hmm, I'll cut back on super worms.

Hello,

I wouldn't say you are feeding too many but that is likely the cause of it assuming it isn't mouth rot. Just be
sure he eats enough vegetation to help clear out his mouth. If he doesn't seem to mind you cleaning out his
mouth from time to time, there shouldn't be any problem.

Tracie

Ok, thanks for the advice.

 

[reptilemaster]

Evening update about Nova.
So he's basking and black bearding. But when I had him out and he cooled off, the black beard faded. Does he not want to be warm? My temperature gun shows he gets to the low to mid 90's F.

Forgot to mention that I'm going to turn off the heat light and see if the black beard goes away when he's cooled down. If that happens, what does that mean?