Reptisun 10.0, lethargy and closed eyes

[BadCon]

Just a quick clarification, because I'm starting to think we aren't talking about the same thing. The term CFL = compact fluorescent light. It can refer to any fluorescent light that is designed to screw into a traditional light socket. For the sake of this forum, I'll break these up into two distinct categories.

Household CFL's, the type I've been talking about for the last page of this thread, are bulbs you'd buy at home depot for a lamp. They come in many varieties...none of which emit UV radiation in any meaningful amount. These are bulbs intended to be used in homes, schools, and hospitals. They come in multiple color temperatures, ranging from warm soft-yellow bulbs to broad spectrum bulbs intended to mimic sunlight.

Then there are reptile specific CFL's, such as the Repti-glow and Repti-sun compacts/coils...these bulbs are designed to emit UV-B, and these bulbs have countless times been proven unsafe. I am not talking about these bulbs in my posts. Nor do I recommend anyone use these bulbs, because they are indeed unsafe. The only similarity these have with household CFL's is their shape...otherwise the type of glass and phosphors being used are completely different.

 

[BadCon]

You're two posts weren't remotely contradictory, they were completely contradictory.

All I'm trying to figure out is where your information is coming from. I hope its not just blind thoughts especially when a dragons health is on the line.

I completely understand what you are saying:

All your posts make it clear on why you don't understand how a CFL bulb could hurt a dragon.

Point being it can and has before.

-Brandon

That puts the nail in the coffin...we aren't talking about the same thing. You are thinking of reptile specific CFL's, and I'm referring to the type used in a household lamp. The only similarity between these two bulb types is the shape, otherwise they are completely different, from the glass being used in their construction to the phosphors used to make them glow.

 

[Claudiusx]

I assumed you were talking about household CFLs too since I made the comment earlier that UVB CFL's are bad, and so are household CFl's

Now obviously not each and every household CFL will cause problems, just like not each beardie who lives on sand gets impacted. That doesn't mean I still recommend sand just because only some beardies get impacted.

The safest, most tried and tested method should always be the one recommended and put in place when a dragons health is potentially on the line.

-Brandon

 

[Beardednoob]

I would have to agree with Brandon, CFLs are not on my list of recommended lighting, regardless of composition or spectra. To me it is a bunch of non sense, just use what is proven safe, experience and common sense tells us that. Now if we can actually get back on point and try to help AtlasStrikes dragon?

 

[BadCon]

I would have to agree with Brandon, CFLs are not on my list of recommended lighting, regardless of composition or spectra. To me it is a bunch of non sense, just use what is proven safe, experience and common sense tells us that. Now if we can actually get back on point and try to help AtlasStrikes dragon?

If you don't understand the basic fundamentals of lighting, then you'll never understand why household CFLs are safe to use. Its not a bunch of nonsense...
Household CFLs are proven safe...my experience and the experience of many others in this hobby are a testament to that. Since you guys seem all about anecdotal evidence, my anecdotes are just as valid.
Regardless, you are right...this thread has been pulled off topic enough. If either of you want to continue this debate, I'd be happy to do so via PM.


OP:

Unfortunately there are too many variables to really nail down the source of the issue. Exiting brumation results in a flood of hormones that can lead to behavior changes. Also, the migration to a new enclosure has probably increased his stress level considerably. At first glance, everything seems ok with your setup. Perhaps give your dragon a couple of weeks to acclimate to #1. being awake after brumation, and #2, get accustomed to his new enclosure.
What worries me a tad is that he has recently gone through a de-worming cycle. Did your vet recommend a pro-biotic at all? It might help his digestive system cope with the recent round of worming medication, and the stress of recent enclosure changes. Acidophiliz+ from Pet Authority is a good one that gets recommended often (its what I use). If you need something locally, most local pet stores will have something similar for birds.

Otherwise, I think you answered your own questions in your post. He's gone through some recent changes that have shocked his system. Some dragons don't tolerate change as well as others, so give him some time to acclimate. Perhaps offering a another hide on the cool side will give him a place to de-stress a bit.

 

[diamc]

Please don't let this thread get off topic again. Another member's thread is no place for a debate.

 

[AtlasStrike]

Wow, okay. Haha!!

Let me see if I can outline this appropriately.

1. Charlie was dewormed in December, he was given albon and panacur- took a daily probiotic during the treatment and for a full week after. He occasionally gets some acidophilz+ as part of his supplementation. He also gets rep cal with D3 and RepAshy calcium plus multivitamin.

2. In early January, Charlie got a new 24 inch reptisun and a hammock. His eating began to slow, and he became more lethargic. He gained weight steadily despite the reduced appetite. I chalked it up to brumation because he was supposedly over a year when I got him (at 12" long in October).

3. Charlie was having some difficulty with bowel movements/hard urates. Some one told me that solid basking surfaces aid digestion, so I replaced his hammock with bricks, and increased baths/oral fluids. Everything went back to normal. His fecal exam came back clean in mid January. I believe this was due to him eating supers and neglecting his veggies. He has not had this problem since (except when he ate hornworms, but that was the opposite problem).

4. Charlie ate on and off, and slept a lot through January and February. He grew over an inch and has gained about 260 grams between December 20th and today.

5. Wednesday, the 22nd, Charlie moved in to his new viv. He had been fully asleep (lights off) in his hide for 2 days. Immediately after moving, he began to be more active when I turned the light cycle back on.He is 377 grams and 17 1/4 inches long today.


Now, in his old viv, the bulb was mounted on the back wall, and he would often close the eye facing that direction. I tried to minimize the glare, but it was always the eye facing the bulb, and never when he was out or on the cool side. That was a 55 gallon, and the reptisun covered only 1/3 of the tank. In his new viv, the UVB is right overhead, inside the screen, but the basking bulbs are outside the screen. The screen filters some of the light, and it is not as bright as it was in his old tank. I believe this is why he is closing both eyes, where before it was only the one facing at the UVB when he was basking.

Brandon and Bearded, my setup already adheres to what you are recommending and something is still not right. I know there are a lot of factors at play, but something in the viv is irritating my dragon's eyes, and I need to make some adjustments and see if the issue worsens or resolves. It may make no difference at all, we shall see. I can tell you though, I spend a lot of time with Charlie, and the squinting and closed eyes only happens in his viv and the frequency with which it occurs is directly related to whether or not the UVB is on. It may be a bad reptisun bulb, and if playing around with brighter lighting doesn't change anything, I will order another and try that out. Even if that doesn't turn out to be it, I will need it come June.

If anyone has any other ideas about why my dragon might be squinting and closing his eyes, that would be great. I am open to suggestions, and willing to try anything and everything until this is resolved.

Thank you.

 

[MissT]

NM.... Pointless question lol!

Hope you figure this out soon, Chelsea!

 

[Beardednoob]

I had a similar issue with Ifrit when he was younger gut, this was due to a Powersun 100w, I would change out the UV, it could be bad. Only idea I got. Please keep us updated. :wink: