Toe twiching ?? and my introduction

[chameleon76]

Hello, All

I am new to this forum. I have searched for info before on here but I had a ? for you guys. My 13 mo old beard's toes arr twitchen as if we would get a twitch in our fingers. I have seen all toes do this, and remaines very mild but pretty constant. I have notised it on 2 occasions and am now on full alert for any further signs or anythinfg else abnormal. He is otherwise extreemley healthy. I am not new to reptile s or beards. My main passion is for chameleons and have been working with them for quite awhile. I worry alot for nothing (typical cham enthusiest) but this thing altough minor it makes me worry about neurilogical problems. What do you guys think. I know its hard to picture what I am dicribing I should get a vid on utbe or something.He is almost up to full speed after comming out of winter brumation. This pic is not of prob but is just my beard in question .

Thanks
Kevin
Chameleon76

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[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, that type of twitching is most likely related to hypocalemia. Since he came out of brumation, he is probably low in calcium.
What type & brand of UVB light are you using, is it a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light? How old is the bulb?
How often do you give him calcium now?

Tracie

 

[chameleon76]

Hello

I use 2 48 inch zoo med 5.0 in a dual fixture and about 3mo old I use repcal calcium 1 per week. I use repcal vitamin, miner-all vitamin and dragon dust which I alternate and lightly supplement everyother feeding. his behavior is active and alert. D you think that the 2 48 inch 5.0 are not cutting it? do you believe that 10.0 would make the diference?
A buddy of mine bought a brother of my beard when I got mine and dispite me buggin him , he only uses a 24 inch slimline for a 55gal tank. The diferences in the 2 beards is like night and day especially color and size so I believed the lights I am using were quite adequte for my 75 gal.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[Ethelia]

Hello there,

In short, yes ^_^
The 10.0 reptisun bulb is generally the one we all trust and recommend.
If you have a look on here at: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttuberesults.html you will see that the reptisun 10.0 has a much higher output of UVB than the 5.0 model.

As Tracie said, the twitchy toes are likely to be an indicator of low calcium levels so I would imagine your dragon would very much benefit in a boost in UVB.

You always want the strip bulbs aswell, never the coiled or compact versions as these are highly hazardous for dragons.

How far away is your dragon from the UVB strip bulb itself? The optimal distance is around the 6-8 inch mark.


I would also up your calcium dosage depending on your feeders.
If you are using feeders such as Pheonix or Butter worms one dose of calcium may be sufficient, however if not I would be inclined to increase your calcium dusting to 3 or 4 times per week.

Your dragon is a very hansom little fellow.
Thank you for sharing a picture with us ^_^

Holly

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, the 2 Reptisun 5 flourescent tube bulbs together is not actually all that bad. I think it is probably the lack of calcium intake more than just the UVB lighting. Using 2 of them doubled the UVB output.
However, it wouldn't hurt to get a Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb for one of the sides, then just leave the Reptisun 5 flourescent tube bulb in the other side for a little extra output & brightness.
As suggested, right now it would be a good idea to increase the calcium intake to at least 3 times per week to help him out for awhile.
So your friend only uses an ESU slimline? I hope his dragon doesn't end up having some trouble on down the line with inadequate UVB emissions. Those tube lights put out virtually zero UVB.
How is your fellow doing today?

Tracie

 

[chameleon76]

Hello
I know it would be better to have 10.0 but knew the double 48 inchers 5.0's probably wasnt the prob. I have started to increase the cal He is doing really well His diet since he has come around has been mainly hornworms (its seems I have had alot of them this winter) supers and my gutloaded chrickets. Actually i fed him a thawed piky when the first signs of brumation started. He actually was a slower process took about 2 weeks till he fell completely into his winter sleep. He slept pretty solid for aboout 1.5 mo only time I messed with him was to bathe him for hydration purposes. Then he slowly began basking a little here and there then everday now he is about 95% I'd say.still eatin horns,supers and some kale/spinich /mixed greens. He still hasnt totally came around to a mainly veggie diet yet (but I've been persistant,,LOL ). it doesnt seem to be a huge prob but as a long time Cham hobbiest I am used to keepin my animals under a microscope. I haent seen it today and he was actin normal and eating.I will keep an update goin on him.I absolutally love him and so does my family (especially my little boy ) Any more info would be appriciated and thanks for all the input . As for my buddy He always askes me why the brother dont look like that.I keep tellin him about gettin some good bulbs,, And I even tell him to take that plastic cover off the bulb of his slimline to no avail . I will order a 10.0 to replace the one 5.0 to cover all the bases I can.

Again Thanks
Kevin
Chameleon76

 

[Ethelia]

I do appologise, I didnt see that you were using two of the bulbs