Ozma's legs aren't working properly.

[Shekibobo]

I just got my new ReptiSun 10.0 UVB bulb today and set it up. She still seems bummed out all the time, though. Hasn't eaten anything. It's hard for her to move around, and she falls off her climbing log when she tries to climb it. I've got a vet appointment for her tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully, that will all go well.

Yesterday, she occasionally looked like she was having pains that made her breathe hard and close her eyes. She also isn't as cooperative with taking her meds as I'd like. Eventually she gets around to it, though. I discovered yesterday that one of her heat lamps was causing temps to be way to high, so I switched from the 150W to 100W. That helped a little bit.

Hopefully our vet appointment goes well.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is Ozma doing today? That is good to hear that you did get your Reptisun 10 in today. Does she seem to like it so far? So she has not eaten anything yet?
You could try getting an appetite stimulant. A couple of good ones are bee pollen or brewer's yeast, both are great & will help boost the immune system along with their appetite, safely. You can find them pretty easily at a health food store, or in the pharmacy section of most grocery stores or drug stores.
Keep us posted on her. I hope that she starts to improve for you soon. How far is she falling when she falls off of her log?
How close did you place the Reptisun 10 & is there any screen in between her & the light?
Are you using a digital probe or a temp gun now, to measure the temperatures? Good that you double checked the temperatures & readjusted them. The temperatures, if they are too hot, will affect them negatively also.

Tracie

 

[Shekibobo]

How is Ozma doing today? That is good to hear that you did get your Reptisun 10 in today. Does she seem to like it so far? So she has not eaten anything yet?

She's about the same as she's been. So far she still hasn't eaten anything.

How far is she falling when she falls off of her log?

She's not falling far. If you look at the picture of her setup, she just slides sideways off the long smooth log, and I put her fake plant there to help soften the fall when that does happen.

How close did you place the Reptisun 10 & is there any screen in between her & the light?

She's able to get within like....5 inches or so, if she wants. There is a metal screen between her and the light, but the side-mounted logs are within about 6" of the screen.

Are you using a digital probe or a temp gun now, to measure the temperatures? Good that you double checked the temperatures & readjusted them. The temperatures, if they are too hot, will affect them negatively also.

I'm using a temp gun. So those are supposedly surface temps, not air temps, but I figured I'd err on the side of caution.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is good, you are measuring properly, the surface temperatures not the air temps. The temp guns are accurate.
Remember that the screen will filter out 20-30% of the UVB so you might want to consider cutting a hole in the screen if possible.
I am happy that she doesn't fall far. You could also put some towels on the bottom of the tank as well just to cushion her further as well. I hope that her appetite picks up soon.
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[Shekibobo]

I took Ozma to the vet today. She's acutely hypocalcimic. She also has eggs, which is probably a large part of the sudden deficiency. She was given a shot of calcium supplement, and I was given Calciquid elixer to give her orally (0.17ml) twice a day. I'll be mounting her UVB lamp underneath the screen by tonight.

I was also told to put some play sand in a container on the warm side of her cage for her to dig in and lay her eggs. Done and done. I've got a follow-up appointment in two weeks. She already seems to be shaking less, and since the shot has been much more alert.

That's my update. I'm really glad I took her into the vet.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is too bad she is so severely hypocalcemic. That liquid calcium should really help her out pretty quickly. So, she has eggs too? That is probably some of the reason she is low in calcium, yes.
Great you are going to mount the UVB underneath the screen, that should help a lot. Just make sure she can't get closer than 6 inches though, for safety.
I am sure that the calcium booster shot helped immediately. Please keep us posted on her.

Tracie

 

[Shekibobo]

Just want to post an update:

So far, Ozma still isn't really using her back legs, but the twitching has seemed to stop for the most part. They still shake when she tries to walk.

I've been giving her 0.3ml of a calcium supplement from the doctor twice a day for about two weeks now. We are going in this afternoon for her follow up appointment.

I've been taking her outside every couple of days to get some sun, and the other day, she was just mowing down the clover patch she was grazing. She's been eating crickets like crazy. I've been feeding them to her covered in calcium/vitamin powder by hand, since she has trouble chasing them down.

She hasn't laid any eggs yet, but she still seems to be getting fatter, so I expect that will happen sometime in the next couple weeks.

She seems a lot lighter in color, but I suspect that's due to the calcium and the sun.

Anyway, that's my update for now. I'll post again once the vet gives her verdict.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great you have been able to take Ozma outside here & there. It will take awhile for her to regain all of her strength though, but at least she is not having any muscle twitches anymore. Hopefully she will continue to improve. If she is shelling eggs, that is going to zap her system, so keep up with that calcium right now.
That is good she is eating crickets daily now she needs the food if she is going to lay again. Poor girl. How did the vet visit go today?
She must feel better though if her colors are better & not as dark as they previously were.

Keep us posted on her.

Tracie

 

[Shekibobo]

Ozma finally walked again!

Her legs are still a little shaky, but she's using them again, and she seems to be gaining strength. I've just been feeding her her calcium supplements and dusted crickets like crazy. I'm just so excited that she is no longer dragging her legs behind her.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is absolutely wonderful that Ozma walked again using her back legs! That is really awesome. Hopefully, she will just continue to improve daily for you. I am sure she was happy to be walking again as well.
Thanks for the update!

Tracie