hirochihachi
Member
What UVB bulb are you using? Is it a coil or a tube? Compact tube. I know the Reptisun 10.0 is ideal.
What kind of tank are you using and what are its dimensions? 20 gallon Reptihabitat starter kit.
What are the basking spot temps, the cool side temps, and with what type of thermometer are you taking those temps? Daytime basking is 100, give or take 2 or 3. Cool is about 75-80, warm is 85-90. Nighttime, those temps drop almost exactly 10 degrees. Thermometer strip in the center near basking area, single analog to monitor temps on warm and cool side until second analog arrives (backorder).
Is the UVB bulb inside the tank or outside? How far is it from the basking spot? Outside tucked right next to the basking spot (it umbrellas over the whole warm side), but we remove the screen for most of the day. We refuse to put the bulb inside the tank, as it poses a burning risk if when he decides to get adventurous.
How much is Kaleidoscope eating each day so far? One feeding of 10-15 crickets in the morning, offered pellets throughout the day, and greens every other day. He is offered a second feeding of crickets and rarely takes any interest.
Is your basking bulb a white light? Yep, 100 watt basking light.
Are you using something for night time heat? Infrared light and under-tank heater on one side. We kill the light when temps allow, but our house doesn't insulate well and a rough winter is setting in. He sleeps shielded from the light in his cave. We move him there after he's fallen asleep, otherwise he happily sleeps in a cool corner in open light. Always sleeps all night, doesn't wake until we turn on the basking light and uvb. No naps during the day. Wakes at about 630am, sleeps usually between 830-930pm (I work evenings so I don't know exactly when he falls asleep).
Substrate is sand, switching to carpet on Monday, it's en route. Because of the sand, we have always fed him his crickets in a separate large tote. His diet pellets remain in the viv and are sifted every day to remove sand.
Bought Kaleidoscope from Petsmart 11/23. Happy, well-adjusted. Immediately calmed and settled even with inquisitive cats. Weird appetite. He was about 6-7 weeks old and would only take one morning feeding of crickets. Would show no interest in evening crickets, but again devoured his prey every morning. Still does. =)
Pet store told us with Flaker's Orange cubes for the crickets, no further supplementing was necessary. -growl-
Tuesday (Dec 3) Kaleidoscope began exhibiting odd behavior, shaking, falling over, missing his crickets when he attacked them but still had an appetite. Would usually catch on second attempt. Immediately bathed and dusted crickets with calcium sample that came with his Reptihabitat starter kit. Began keeping top screen off (we have cats, but now we lock them out during the day) so that he could get full benefits of UVB.
Wednesday, symptoms worsened. Woke normally, eyes opened slowly after the UVB and basking light were turned on and then lifted his head. Immediately began to shake, possible seizure that didn't last more than a full 2 seconds.
Bathed again, dusted crickets again. Made appointment for Thursday with nearby vet who has seen and treated many reptiles and owns a few of her own. Not a certified Herp, but our only option for the moment.
Pooped normally, moist but not runny with proper white/black coloring. Also pooped normally Tuesday.
Thursday- Drastic improvement. Steady on his feet, did miss just one or two crickets on his first lunge, but caught all and had huge morning appetite. No odd behavior or movements at all. Also munched on collard throughout the day. No interest in crickets at night. Cancelled vet appointment with promise to closely monitor and reschedule if symptoms resurfaced.
Bathed (much more energetic and playful this time!) and dusted with calcium again. Herptivite en route via Amazon.
No poop that I saw, I may have missed it.
Friday: Normal routine until cricket feeding. Lights come on at 6am, feeding at about 7:45. He is RAVENOUS. Chases after crickets and pounces. Normally he waits patiently for them to cross his path and lunges. It's an adorable sight until he bumps his head into the side of the feeding tote and suddenly starts shaking and jumping uncontrollably. Reddit user suggested before taking a video, so here it is. The video makes me cry (also wacky hormones but whatevs, yanno). What's wrong with my baby??
At this point, calcium deficiency is first thought, sand in the ear is the second, but he also has a habit of taking flying leaps from shoulders and waists. When we were putting the decorative paper on the back of his tank (just a desert scene), he watched it and then dove head first into the glass...I love the little guy but he's not all that bright yet. Head injury is our third thought.
He's scheduled to see the vet tomorrow (Saturday) at 11, but if anyone has seen this behavior before, please do advise.
Edit: Please note: This is not the same behavior that he exhibited on Tuesday and Wednesday. The jumping around uncontrollably is new.
Kind of Update: Just made a second attempt to give crickets and he was much steadier on his feet. Hungry but not ravenous, he once again waited for his prey to cross his path before pouncing. Well-balanced and no more shaking/jumping.
What kind of tank are you using and what are its dimensions? 20 gallon Reptihabitat starter kit.
What are the basking spot temps, the cool side temps, and with what type of thermometer are you taking those temps? Daytime basking is 100, give or take 2 or 3. Cool is about 75-80, warm is 85-90. Nighttime, those temps drop almost exactly 10 degrees. Thermometer strip in the center near basking area, single analog to monitor temps on warm and cool side until second analog arrives (backorder).
Is the UVB bulb inside the tank or outside? How far is it from the basking spot? Outside tucked right next to the basking spot (it umbrellas over the whole warm side), but we remove the screen for most of the day. We refuse to put the bulb inside the tank, as it poses a burning risk if when he decides to get adventurous.
How much is Kaleidoscope eating each day so far? One feeding of 10-15 crickets in the morning, offered pellets throughout the day, and greens every other day. He is offered a second feeding of crickets and rarely takes any interest.
Is your basking bulb a white light? Yep, 100 watt basking light.
Are you using something for night time heat? Infrared light and under-tank heater on one side. We kill the light when temps allow, but our house doesn't insulate well and a rough winter is setting in. He sleeps shielded from the light in his cave. We move him there after he's fallen asleep, otherwise he happily sleeps in a cool corner in open light. Always sleeps all night, doesn't wake until we turn on the basking light and uvb. No naps during the day. Wakes at about 630am, sleeps usually between 830-930pm (I work evenings so I don't know exactly when he falls asleep).
Substrate is sand, switching to carpet on Monday, it's en route. Because of the sand, we have always fed him his crickets in a separate large tote. His diet pellets remain in the viv and are sifted every day to remove sand.
Bought Kaleidoscope from Petsmart 11/23. Happy, well-adjusted. Immediately calmed and settled even with inquisitive cats. Weird appetite. He was about 6-7 weeks old and would only take one morning feeding of crickets. Would show no interest in evening crickets, but again devoured his prey every morning. Still does. =)
Pet store told us with Flaker's Orange cubes for the crickets, no further supplementing was necessary. -growl-
Tuesday (Dec 3) Kaleidoscope began exhibiting odd behavior, shaking, falling over, missing his crickets when he attacked them but still had an appetite. Would usually catch on second attempt. Immediately bathed and dusted crickets with calcium sample that came with his Reptihabitat starter kit. Began keeping top screen off (we have cats, but now we lock them out during the day) so that he could get full benefits of UVB.
Wednesday, symptoms worsened. Woke normally, eyes opened slowly after the UVB and basking light were turned on and then lifted his head. Immediately began to shake, possible seizure that didn't last more than a full 2 seconds.
Bathed again, dusted crickets again. Made appointment for Thursday with nearby vet who has seen and treated many reptiles and owns a few of her own. Not a certified Herp, but our only option for the moment.
Pooped normally, moist but not runny with proper white/black coloring. Also pooped normally Tuesday.
Thursday- Drastic improvement. Steady on his feet, did miss just one or two crickets on his first lunge, but caught all and had huge morning appetite. No odd behavior or movements at all. Also munched on collard throughout the day. No interest in crickets at night. Cancelled vet appointment with promise to closely monitor and reschedule if symptoms resurfaced.
Bathed (much more energetic and playful this time!) and dusted with calcium again. Herptivite en route via Amazon.
No poop that I saw, I may have missed it.
Friday: Normal routine until cricket feeding. Lights come on at 6am, feeding at about 7:45. He is RAVENOUS. Chases after crickets and pounces. Normally he waits patiently for them to cross his path and lunges. It's an adorable sight until he bumps his head into the side of the feeding tote and suddenly starts shaking and jumping uncontrollably. Reddit user suggested before taking a video, so here it is. The video makes me cry (also wacky hormones but whatevs, yanno). What's wrong with my baby??
At this point, calcium deficiency is first thought, sand in the ear is the second, but he also has a habit of taking flying leaps from shoulders and waists. When we were putting the decorative paper on the back of his tank (just a desert scene), he watched it and then dove head first into the glass...I love the little guy but he's not all that bright yet. Head injury is our third thought.
He's scheduled to see the vet tomorrow (Saturday) at 11, but if anyone has seen this behavior before, please do advise.
Edit: Please note: This is not the same behavior that he exhibited on Tuesday and Wednesday. The jumping around uncontrollably is new.
Kind of Update: Just made a second attempt to give crickets and he was much steadier on his feet. Hungry but not ravenous, he once again waited for his prey to cross his path before pouncing. Well-balanced and no more shaking/jumping.